Hercules flies high soaring through the puffy clouds. The golden glare of the Olympus temple roof shines to them the way. Pegasus lands at the steps leading up to the giant structure. “If you wish my friend, you may go graze in the Elysian fields. I may be a while.” He watches him happily trot toward the heavenly grasses as he lay a cloth over the lantern. He turns to climb the temple steps to see Hermes walking down. “How is the messenger of the gods this fine day?”
Hermes smiles, “The gods got me hard at work. But, it is always good to see a friendly face. What bring you to the gates of Olympus?”
“I have somethings to give my father.”
Hermes steps nearer. “Oh, I see.” He notices Hercules is carrying something.
He stands before the giant. “Where do you go now?”
“Your father wishes me to deliver a message.”
“What might that be?”
“It seems the god Alastor has been becoming very friendly with Aphrodite.” He looks at Hercules as his cheeks stretch back suggesting something more is going on than he is allowed to tell.
“Is everything alright?”
“No. That is why I must tell him and her to distant themselves from each other.”
“That seems awful to have to do.”
“I agree. But that is what happens when the god of family feuds falls for the goddess of love and beauty. It seems things are getting much plainer. Families are getting along and beauty is becoming much too common.”
“I see Hermes. I guess that's what happens when you combine relationship with godly power.”
“Yes my friend, the earth goes berserk. I will see you later.” His feet begin flapping as Hercules ascends the steps. Hermes lifts and sails off toward another part of the heavens. Hercules reaches the massive temple doors and pushes them open.
He stands at the entrance way looking at Zeus waiting for the king to ask him to come forward. Father sits on his throne talking with the gods and goddesses standing around him. He sees his son respectfully waiting his turn to converse with him. Hercules stares at Zeus. Father does something unusual. He smiles at his son.
“I am ordering you Morpheus, god of dreams, and you Erebus, god of darkness, to work out your problems together. Dreams are for sleeping. Sleeping is a night. This should not be so hard to remedy. So fix it you two. As to the rest of you goddesses and gods, my court is in recess the rest of this day.”
All the gods and goddesses walk away with their competing conversations. Zeus stares at Hercules while waiting for the room to clear. “Come forward my son.”
Hercules carries the covered lantern as he approaches the king. He notices Ares peeking around the corner in the great hall leading to where the gods reside. This alerts Hercules to be careful with his conversation on what he need reveal to his father.
Zeus senses something is not right, for his heart beats against his son's heart. Sternly he commands, “Tell me why you have come here!” He seems very angry at Hercules. This is a great change from moments earlier when he smiled at him. Before Hercules can respond, Zeus yells at him, “You must come with me! This is not a request, but an order!”
Hercules stops where he is. He notices Ares walking away as father approaches. Zeus continues on pass his son expecting him to follow.
“Come walk with me Hercules!” Zeus exits the temple of the gods as he waves his hand in front. A sparkling mist suddenly appears that Zeus walks in to. Hercules follows behind father as the vapor portal disappears.
A rainbow of colors glisten all around them as Zeus stops. Hercules comes before his angry father waiting for punishment for something he is not even aware he did. He looks up at Zeus who begins to smile. “I'm sorry for scolding you. I did so for a reason. I know what you did at Ishtar.”
“Here father, I return your heart.” Hercules sets the covered lantern down and takes father's heart from inside his tunic. He lifts it high before father.
“May I ask why you retrieved my heart my son?”
He looks around and sees nothing or no one, but is cautious to continue on.
“You may speak freely here. No god is able to hear or see into this place. That is why I brought you here. Your heart was telling me you have something very important, but very dangerous to tell me.”
“Please take your heart great king of the gods. Then I will speak.”
Hercules carefully slides father's heart onto his large open hands. “Please inspect it closely and you will see what I am about to explain.”
Zeus lifts his heart before his eyes and notices a scar. “This mark on my heart is what you wish me to see?”
“Yes father. I had to save your heart because you were going to die.”
Zeus is bewildered. “Tell me what you mean.” He continues to inspect his heart as his son continues.
“At the time you were preparing to hide your heart in the golden box, one of the gods slide a poison slither pricking your heart. When I recovered your heart it festered with decease. So I plucked it out. Now it has healed leaving but a tiny scar.”
Zeus remembers the moment his heart alerted him it was being taken. He felt a sharp pain, and then a great relief. The pain must have come when the splinter was plucked, and the relief came when his heart began to heal. “Thank you my son for protecting me.” He places his heart to his chest. It glows as it vanishes into his chest. “How can I ever repay you? I have been cruel to you as long as I can remember. You faced more danger than you ever faced, yet you risked your life to save your angry father. What courage you posses.” His remorse forces him to bow his head in shame. “Do you know what god or goddess did this act of high treason?”
“I do. It was Ares.”
Zeus cannot believe his other son could do such a thing. “How could you know such a thing unless you were their? Or, you know someone that witness the act.”
“Someone did witness the very act. But I do not wish to reveal it now. I will only speak their name at the appropriate time. This is not that time.”
Father meditates on all he has learned. He has more questions that still need to be resolved. “How is it possible Ares could have done this? I saw or heard no one.”
“He followed you in the secret chamber.”
“No one knew of its existence.”
“Think father. Do you remember a sound that caused you to take your eyes from your heart?”
He thinks back to that time. “Now I think of it I do remember something had fallen.”
“The sound that drew your eyes was intentional. That is when the splinter pierced you heart. It was so small it did not cause pain. It was designed to give you a slow death over time.”
Zeus lays his hand across his forehead while sliding his face side to side. “This is unbelievable. This is causing my head and heart double trouble. Now tell me how he could have gone unseen.”
“Great king. He wore the Cyclopes helmet. It rendered him invisible.”
All this revealing information is taking a toll on Zeus. It seems too much a load to carry all at once. He loves and respects Ares. His blurry mind dwells in a foggy quandary filled with mixed emotions. Part of him does not want to believe Hercules to protect his relationship and the honor of his other son. His heart knows Hercules speaks the truth. But, Zeus still need a little more proof before he convicts Ares. “How is it you know these things?”
“The witness to the act secretly followed behind you. There were signs someone was following you, although the viewer knew not where you were going. When you looked away, they saw a spark enter your heart. That god or goddess waited for you to leave as they remain hid. They reported seeing the Cyclopes Helmet materialize atop the rack of godly weapons. That is when the perpetrator Ares was revealed,”
Perplexed Zeus demands, “Tell me how you could possibly know all of this? What trickery of treason do you support in this malicious matter?”
Hercules bows his head knowing what he is about to say is surely fantastic. “I was in your court when the witne
ss gave their testimony. You had a hard time believing it then. I know how hard it must be now.”
Zeus fills with righteous anger as he prepares to speak. He raises his lightening bolt above his head and prepares to thrust it in Hercules. “You bring stiff charges against a god. Although I love you and your brother, I am king of the gods. My duty to render justice is my supreme purpose. You force me to do this. I give you but one chance to show proof you could have seen this all happen. Now!”
“This was to be my present to you father. But, what I now give you is my evidence.” He lifts the veil from the lantern, and then hold it up for Zeus to see.
Father is immediately captivated by the blue flames. He drops his bolt inside the cloud below as he takes the flickering present. “Is this what I think it is my son?”
“It is from Chronus, the god of time.”
Zeus knows of its power. He takes the flame out from the lantern, and places in the air before him. His hand gently twirls the blue flames. As it spins he is able to see back in time. He views and hears Hera nervously recount that day he hid his heart. She stands all alone before him and the gods and goddesses. He learns how much a fool he has been. How much she has sacrificed. How much she really loves him and her son Hercules. He dares to twirl the flames further back in time. This vision proves all that Hera and Hercules spoke. Zeus's eyes fill with tears and his healed heart breaks for what he must do now.
“I truly am sorry father for bringing this bad news.”
Zeus grabs Hercules in his hand and raises him up to his face. “This was not your doing. I now know how much you really love me my son. How you risked everything to save me. A father, whether mortal or eternal, could never have a better child. It is I that am truly sorrow for all the time I wasted believing you were the source of my pain. I promise to change now my dear son.”
Hercules proud heart pounds inside him forcing up joyful tears. He speaks, “I pray I always honor you father.”
“My love for you will never again be conditional.”
“What must we do now?”
“We keep this a secret till I figure a plan on what to do. It is not just your brother who betrayed me. There were other conniving gods and goddesses that schemed with him. I must find a way to learn whom they all are before I deal with their punishment. For now, this must be between just you and me. Not even Hera can know. Any one they think might have knowledge of their wicked intention would be in great danger.”
Hercules agrees by the nod of his head. “Yes father.”
“So you agree.”
“Father there is one request.”
“Speak my loyal son. But hurry. We have been gone too long. The gods will grow suspicious.”
“I have a request. Might you consider releasing Prometheus from his torment?”
“He betrayed me. Why would you ask such a thing?”
“He helped me free you from capture. He gave up his freedom to help me turn back time which sent him back to his captivity.”
“I will consider this when this is all finished. For now, you must go. I will send you a message when the time is right.”
Both father and son return to the temple. Once again, Hercules notices Ares probing eyes upon him. Hercules is quick to depart. He bids the king farewell and then descend Mount Olympus.
He climbs down the jagged cliff face as he reaches the base of the mountain. He hears a section of the face cracking above him. He stares above knowing he has no way to avoid anything that might fall down. He looks down to see people in the village below. A massive boulder the size of a building cracks loose. He knows he has only seconds to do something. He lifts his arms up and yells, “Mount Olympus!” The boulder lands right on him. His arms strain as he pushes the monolith upward. He cannot loose the stone or it will roll and crush the villagers. He carries the giant rock a mile through the village, and then past it. All the townsfolk grow still as they marvel at this feat, and the demigod that carries the large boulder.
He hears the towns people thankful praises him as walks out of their village. A line of children follow behind as he exits the town. A young boy asks, “What are you going to do with that. He sees a small stream outside of town and figures to put the stone to good use.
“I'm going to do this.” He tosses the boulder toward the stream's ravine. The children are startled by the rushing wind the boulder makes, and frightened by the loud crashing and shaking as it meets the earth. He watches the rolling rock settle in place. The blocked stream quickly begins to fill the ravine. “Now your village will have plenty of water to draw from.” He turns and lifts a small girl. He smiles at her saying, “And you will have a cool place to swim.”
The excited children can only say, “Wow.”
He waves to the children as he walks on. He begins to think about the incident. That boulder seemed to be no accident or related to any force of nature. It was if it were pried loose. Only a god could do that. He believes now danger follows him. He must take every caution. Another thought comes to him. Viola might be in danger if the gods are looking down.
Hercules races across the land as fast as he can. The distance he must travel does not warrant calling his winged friend. As he arrives through the forest around her cottage he sees her front door is open and some of her belongs strewed across the ground. He wants to run and check on her safety, but his mind warns him its best to observe from his obscure position to see what evil lurks here.
From around the back of her house walks a griffin. Its eagles head searches for anything that might approach the cottage. Its lion's paw digs at a log to sharpen its claws. Hercules carefully moves through the trees to find another way into the cottage.
He finds an open window in back of the cottage. He cautiously sneaks inside to find the back of the griffin standing at the front cottage door. The home has been torn apart as if someone was looking for something. There is no sign Viola is still in her cottage, just overturned furniture mixed in with pieces of broken pottery. He sneaks to the room with the hidden chamber. The carpet is the only thing still in its place. One eye is dedicated to the griffin and one to retrieving his bow and quiver. The door squeaks as he lifts the door. The griffin turns and sees him snatching the bow. He rushes toward Hercules as he loads the bow with a golden arrow. The griffin realizes it has lost the race as Hercules aims it toward its head. The bird beast stares but does not move.
“I give you one chance. Where did you take her?”
The griffin tilts its head.
“Here is what we are going to do.” He keeps aim at its head. “Turn slowly and move outside.” The griffin understands and obeys. Hercules carefully mounts the beast. “Now, you're going to take me to where she is. Remember, this arrow is aimed at your head.” The beast allows him on its back. “Away now.” It lunges upward as Hercules holds his drawn bow. They fly for hours in and out of clouds.
The beast dives toward earth. Hercules is able to see where this place is. He recognizes the phrygia coastline. This must be the isthmus Mysia. The griffin lands in a field near the base of the mountain. Hercules sits on the griffin wisely waiting for the king of the Doliones people to come welcome him.
An army of sword carrying centaurs come out of the forest followed by a hundred minotaur. Hercules dismounts the bird beast and faces his approaching enemy with his bow drawn. The griffin sneaks off as Hercules prepares for battle. All the creatures circle about him. Everything grows quiet.
The trees in the forest snap like twigs as he watches their tops bend. A silver chariot exits the treeline driven be the king. A path of broken debris follows behind him. The king yells, “I see you got my message! I am glad you found your way!” The army of centaurs part to grant the king access.
Hercules fixes his aim on the king. He tells him, “If you be a wise king Cyzicus, you will let Viola go.”
The king smiles as he lifts his hand. “Bring her forth!”
A dozen tall trees smash on the ground as five giants draw along th
e bumping cart. He sees her bouncing as she clutches to the metal bars of her cage.
“I think it would be more wise of you to let down your bow. I assume you see my six armed friends?”
One Gegenees giant raises his six clubs high over the cart, ready to smash it to pieces.
“I think my soldier might beat your arrow aimed at me. Do you want to see?”
Hercules turns his gaze toward frightened Viola. She looks at him and knows they will kill him if he drops his bow. “Don't do it. There's nothing you can do to save me.” One of the giants shakes her cage hard enough to knock her down.
Their numbers are to great for him to try and save Viola before the Gegeness kill her. The king makes him an offer.
“I am a sporting man. Two of the goddesses paid me a great sum to destroy you. I had to promise not to reveal their names. So I will not tell you Nemesis, the goddess of vengeance, and Enyo, the goddess of war put me up to this.” He smiles cynically at Hercules. “I never much cared for their ways, so I will give you one chance. Do you accept?”
Hercules knows whatever the king is going to propose will be next to impossible. He looks at Viola as he lays his bow on the ground.
Viola sees what he is doing and yells out, “Quickly, pick up the bow and save yourself Hercules! There is no way to save me!”
Her words are not obeyed. Hercules submits and says, “Do as you wish Cyzicus.”
“Good then.” The king signal the minotaur to bind Hercules as the centaur form two walls by opposing ranks leading back up the mountain. A giant grabs the end of the chain that's bound around his prisoner. He begins dragging his captive through the wall of centaur as the minotaur march behind.. King Cyzicus circles his chariot around as he orders, “Back to the fortress!” They take the rugged path the Gegeness made. Hercules watches the bouncing cart just ahead watching Viola cry. She helplessly stares at his bouncing body slam and drag over fallen trees.
Two giants hold the fortress gates open for the passing procession. The centaur do not enter. They split ranks and surround the fortress walls.
Hercules sees Viola's cart come to a stop. The giant continues dragging his prisoner up the steps as the King yells down, “Welcome Hercules to my court.” The doors close as he sees the last of Viola cringe down in her dusty prison.
The king sits at his throne as Hercules is shoved before him. He takes a moment before he gloats. “So this is the mighty Hercules? The conqueror of Colossus and master of monsters.” He laughs at his anguish. “I see no demigod before me. You are just a bruised and battered man.”
Two giants lay a thick metal yoke upon his shoulders and lash it to his arms. Its weight is so heavy it forces Hercules to his knees.
“It is nice you bow before me. But, your reverence is not what I require. I give you a challenge. My Gegenuss giants are near to completing a project I assigned them a full year ago. If you accept my offer, I will let you and your maiden go free. Do you accept?”
Hercules has no idea what the challenge contains. But the chance to save Viola is all he needs. “Do you promise King of Mysia to honor your bargain?”
“My word is my bond. “
“Then I agree.”
“You do not even know what I ask of you, yet you accept. You are a bigger fool than the goddesses that bargained with me for your life. I like that.” The king walks toward the purple veil covering the wall behind his throne. “Here is what I do require.” He slides the veil open revealing a window to his world. The king waves for Hercules to come join him. Two giants push him in the direction of the king. He stands before him as the king explains what he wants done. “Between those two peaks is a valley. That valley separates my kingdom. As you can see, my army and the Gegenuss build me a bridge that nears completion. Do you understand?”
Hercules says, “What is it you require of me?”
The king points with his hand. My giants have started work on a tunnel on top the right peak of that mountain. I need you to finish the tunnel. If you can complete it before my army finishes the bridge, I will set you free.”
“How long must the tunnel be?”
“Three miles of the hardest rock this side of Mount Olympus. Even my giants wear weary from their constant pounding.”
“Let me free of my yoke and I will complete your task.”
“Did you think it would be that easy. No, you will wear your heavy yoke to keep you from trickery.” The king watches the giants slowly slide their heads side to side in disbelief. They know how impossible the rock is to break with all their arms and strength. “I give you one last chance to rescind your agreement. I will even let you go free, but the woman will remain my slave. What say you?”
“I have one question before I answer. Why do you bother to even make this offer?”
“I could kill you and satisfy the goddesses. But, that would probably cause me to loose a good portion of my army. I do not believe you would die without a fight, even if I tried to threaten you with your maiden's life. For, you know your death would leave her with a life filled with torment.” He looks at Hercules as his chains rattle on his yoke. His defeated head lowers to acknowledge the king is right. “I figure with this challenge everyone wins. I have the mighty Hercules working for me. If you die from the mountain caving in upon you, I win. I do not lose any of my army. The goddesses will also be happy, and I will have filled their demand. Plus, at least some of my tunnel will be finished. If the bridge is finished first at least some of my tunnel will be built. You loose your life, I loose some of my army, but at least I'll be better off than I would be. By the very slimmest of chances you are successful, I will have my tunnel finished. You will have your maiden back. I will have a trade route for transporting goods throughout all my kingdom.” The king smiles.
“You are a very wise king. It seems you thought of everything.”
“Thank you Hercules. Let my wisdom serve as warning against any plans to decisive me.”
Hercules has no options but to agree to the king's terms. “I accept you challenge.”
The king's giants and army follow behind Hercules as he makes his way to the mountain peak. The Gegenuss usher him toward the tunnel as the army descends to the bridge below. He stands before one of the giants pounding the rock with his six arms. Sparks fly in all directions, but his arms have barely made a dent in the cave. The tired Gegenuss sees his replacement. He moves away toward the other giants as Hercules is forced in the tunnel's entrance. The largest of the giants grunts at Hercules as three of his arms point at the rock. It swings his arm to signify to Hercules to start working. The giant picks up all the hammers left on the ground and carries them away with him.
Two of the Gegenuss stay behind and guard Hercules as the other four go to assist the bridge builders. The guards laugh at him knowing he has no tools to even break the impossible rock with. They wait to see how he is going to complete his task.
Hercules turns side ways and begins rocking his heavy yoke back and forth. After he is able to swing it far enough, he plows the end of his yoke into the mountain. Sparks fly as he continues to hammer at the rock-face. Only a small amount of rock falls down with each of his blows. The guards seem amazed he is able to loose that amount. They know how hard the rock is.
He stares at the rock as he rest a moment. He think he's found why the rock is so hard to split. He notices the sparkle of veins filled with Adamantine running through this mountain. Hercules smiles as he thinks the king is not so smart. If he only knew the value of this unbreakable metal that is only suppose to exist atop Mount Olympus. He also knows this just made his task virtually impossible. Only Adamantine can cut through Adamantine. He continues to swing and pound with little success as he plans a way to meet his challenge.
The night approaches along with the cold. One giant begins a fire to light the dark tunnel. Hercules swings his tired arms attached to his worn hot yoke. The guards begin to yawn as Hercules notices the army has made bed for the night. As soon as the gu
ards fall asleep he begins to implement his plan. Hercules kicks the fire inside his cave up against the rock. He pounds the rock face with his yoke that sucks the fire inward. The swinging yoke acts like bellows stoking the fire hotter and hotter. The rock face glows red, then orange, and finally white. Huge chucks fall off the rock face. He looks toward the giants to find they remain fast asleep. He kicks the fire further inside as he removes the fallen debris with the end of his yoke. He keeps repeating the process till he is deep inside the mountain. By morning he's nearly through the other side. The giants wake to see mounds and mounds of rock stacked against the mountain. They marvel at this feat and realize he just might win the bet. The four giants return to work on the bridge hurrying the army back to work. Two giants guard the entrance of the cave.
The pounding stops as Hercules draws toward the entrance. He sees the two guards warning him to return to work.
“I need a short rest and a fresh breath of air.”
They allow him to poke his head and yoke outside, but they are careful to watch his every move.
“It looks like I am going to win my bargain with King Cyzicus. I have just a little more before I breakthrough Bear Mountain. I wonder how that will make him feel knowing that I won.”
The giants look at one another. Fear forms on their faces as they think about what that will mean to them.
Hercules mentions, “If you were to go help the others I would not tell.” He looks at their faces. They seem anxious to go, but they know they cannot leave Hercules alone. “Do not worry. Why would I try and run away. I have this heavy metal yoke on me. Why would I do that when I am so close to victory?” They look back and forth several times at the bridge and then back at Hercules. “I am going back to work. I should be done shortly.” He walks deep inside the tunnel and stops. He turns his head back toward the light. Both giants have taken his suggestion. He realizes everyone in the kings army is working on the bridge. Rather than winning his challenge with the king, he decides the king is not a man that would honor his promise. Hercules takes another course of action.
Midway of the tunnel Hercules lifts his yoke up to the ceiling. He shouts out, “Mount Olympus!” His voice echos out the cave and throughout all the valley.
The two Gegenuss immediately look at each other. They begin to think it might not have been such a good idea to leave Hercules alone. They watch as the piles of rock debris begin rolling down at them.
Hercules strains everyone of his muscles pushing upward. He watches as cracks run on each side of the tunnel. His arms pulsate as rock fragments shoot out. The mouth of the tunnels collapses. That part of the mountain settles in the void where the tunnel was. He feels the peak of the mountain tilting down in the direction of the bridge. He drops one side of his yoke and buries it in the floor. The other end he digs into the rock ceiling. The entire peaks slides as he guides it with heavy metal yoke. The weight of the peak snaps his yoke in two. A bright cloud covers him while he listen the to the crashing peak. He stands in the daylight as the dust settles around him. The peak now rest where the king's army worked. He also sees there is no more need of a bridge. The peak of the mountain stretches from mountain to mountain. He hurries and undoes what is left of his yoke.
A cloud of dust covers the valley. This gives him a chance to sneak up to the fortress of King Cyzicus. The blaring crashing sound is sure to have alerted the king something is going on, but the cloud of debris should be concealing has what really happened. This may give Hercules essential time he needs to attempt a rescue of Viola before the king reacts.
A dozen centaurs guard the fortress walls. He recognizes one that is closes to him. Hercules whispers, “Nessus, over here.” He crouches down behind a bush and waits. The curious centaur cautiously proceeds to investigate. It stops short of where Hercules is hiding. Once again he whispers,”Over here Nessus.” The horse sense in Nessus causes him turn and prepare to flee, but his human consciousness forces him to investigate. He stands near the bush looking to see who called his name. Hercules slowly maneuvers his left hand up to grab Nessus's neck as his right hand prepares to muzzle the centaur's mouth.
As Nessus looks around, Hercules grabs him and immediately stops him from calling for help. He forces the kicking centaur to the ground as he looks to see if the commotion alerted the other guards. None of the centaur seem to notice what has happened.
Hercules whispers to Nessus, “If you do what I ask, no harm will come to you.” Nessus settles his jabbing hooves. Hercules whispers his demands in the centaur's ear. Nessus slowly stands next to the bush with Hercules concealed hand around Nessus's throat. Hercules whispers, “Now.”
Nessus screams out, “The bridge has fallen! The mountain has given way!” All but one centaur races near to Nessus to learn what his is yelling about. They see the dust settling where the location of the bridge was.
One centaurs orders the others, “Hurry, go help them! I will go inform the king what has happened!” All the centaur but one gallop off. The leader trots toward the gates of the fortress.
Hercules leaps on Nessus and tells him, “Now.” Both of them gallop through the open gate. Hercules sees Viola in the unprotected cage. He leaps off. “I let you live Nessus. Now flee this mountain fortress and never return.” The scared centaur races out the gate. Hercules rushes to the cage imprisoning Viola.
He grabs two of the metal bars and pulls them apart. Viola's amazed face asks, “How is this?”
“I will explain later.” The bars bend enough for Viola to escape. They rush outside the fortress gate as he whistles for Pegasus. “I still have something I must do.” His white winged friend soars down toward earth. Hercules thinks of a place she might be safe until he can meet up with her. He lifts her up and places her on Pegasus's back. “My friend. Take Viola to the Elysian fields. Watch over her till I come.” He tells her, “This is the last place the probing eyes of the gods and goddesses will expect to find you. Now off Pegasus.” He watches as they soar up to the heavens. Now, to retrieve my golden bow and quiver.
He thrust open the doors to the chamber of the king. Cyzicus stands with his back facing toward Hercules. He stares out his window seeing all the destruction. “Are you satisfied that you destroyed my entire army and Gegenees?”
“You brought this upon yourself Cyzicus when you sided with the goddesses against me. Your biggest mistake was taking Viola captive. I had to destroy them all to protect her.”
The king continues to gaze out his window reflecting on what Hercules spoke. He tilts his head down and slides it side to side in unbelief to all that has happened. “You have ruined my kingdom. Not only have you punished me, but all the Doliones people below.”
“Yes, your wealth has been righteously ripped away from you. Blame your greed and pride for that. But, I have one last proposition for you. If you agree, you will be more wealthy than you were.”
The kings lifts his head and turns his face to his side. “I am listening. Speak your bargain.”
“First. You must return my bow and quiver. I will then tell you a special secret.”
Cyzicus calls for his servant. “Bring me Hercules golden bow and quiver.” The minotaur returns carrying the requested items. “Give them to Hercules.”
“I thank you.” He slings them over his shoulder. “Tell the goddesses when they inquire I was buried in the mishap along with your army. This will protect you from their vengeance for at least a while. This should give me time enough to deal with them.”
Cyzicus nods his head in agreement. “How about the wealth your promised?”
“If you would have spent time where your giants worked you would have noticed the mountain peak is filled with veins of treasure.”
“Do you mean there is gold or silver running through the mountain?”
“No. something more valuable.”
The king turns toward Hercules. His face fills with confusion. “What is more precious than gold? Is it gems?”
“No. It is th
e unbreakable metal of the gods.”
The king begins to smile a very large smile. “Do you mean Adamantine?”
“Yes. Not only will you have wealth, but a way to control the pantheon dwelling on Mount Olympus.”
Cyzicus rubs his hands together and laughs. “I will be the most powerful king on earth.”
“I would keep this fortune quiet until you have harvested all its ore. Then you will be able to bargain with the very gods. They will never accept man having this treasure. Use this wisely King Cyzicus. This new found treasure might be your greatest blessing, or your undoing. Decide wisely when dealing with the gods.” He stares at the king a moment as his countenance changes. He turns toward the window to his world and looks out it with a new perspective. It seems he is learning what it truly means to be a wise king.
“I will try and be loyal and just with my subjects. I will truly seek to be an honorable king.” Cyzicus turns back towards Hercules to tell him thank you for this blessing. He only hears the words ring out, “Mount Olympus!” It echos throughout his chamber.
Hercules reaches the shore of Mysia. He swims the ocean between the isthmus and the mainland of Phrygia. His mind ponders all that has happened as he journeys across the plains of Calydon. He wonders if his father Zeus has discovered the treachery Nemesis and Enyo had devised against his son. He determines their motive had to be entangled with Ares plot to overthrow King Zeus. Hercules stumbles into a pit he did not see. As he climbs out he is able to determine it is an immense footprint pressed in the earth. As he enters the eastern forest of Calydon his senses go on heighten alert. This is the land where Cyclopes dwell.
The forest ahead has been thrashed. All the trees have been broken to splinters. He hurdles over the fallen rubble in his endeavor to speed through unnoticed . He finally sees the end of the forest. It ends where the land of Aetolia begins. Before he steps out of the Calydonian Forest he's challenged by several Cyclopes. He has no way to escape as two block him to the rear.
Hercules bravely draws near the two Cyclopes stopping him from entering Aetolis.
“Why do you trespass on our land tiny man?”
“I am in a hurry to get to Macedonia. The land to the north”
“Do you travel to where the Greek gods Live?”
“That is my intention. Why do you stop me?”
“The only reason we have not torn you apart is you have courage enough to come to me.”
“What must I do to pass by you?” Hercules watches as the two secretly converse.
“We will let you by, but we require a fee.”
“What might you charge me to pass?” The one eyed giants again whisper. As they finish they laugh.
“Your price is one bore.”
“That seems to be a reasonable offer.”
The Cyclops points off in the distance. “Yes it is. We want that bore.”
Hercules looks to where the Cyclops points. He sees what is no ordinary bore. He watches it rut the ground and smash the trees to splinters. He knows why the Calydonian Forest is thrashed. That monster is nearly as high as the Cyclopes. “If I bring him to you then you will let me pass?”
“If you can, we most certainly will. We have not been able to get close enough to it to capture or kill the beast. So you think you can subdue the bore sent by the goddess of the hunt, Artemis? Three days and nights it has roamed where it wants.”
“If I am successful, will you give your word you will let me pass?”
“Of course tiny foolish man.”
“May I ask one favor of you?”
The reluctant giant asks, “What might that be?”
“May I borrow you club?”
All the Cyclopes laugh. One replies, “If you can carry my club you may use it.” The giant leans the handle of his club down in front of Hercules. “Here.”
He leans the handle over his shoulder and levers the club upon his shoulder. All the Cyclopes stare with their astonished eye. One scratches his head and asks, “How is he able to do that?”
Hercules sneaks through the tall grass that the Calydonian bore is eating. He turns his head back to see what the Cyclopes are up to. They seem to be trying to hide among the trees in case the bore turns upon them. Hercules continues the rest of the distance crawling on his hands and knees. The bore feast unaware he is just feet away. His massive tusks bob up and down helping to hide Hercules from its sight. Quietly he rise, and quickly he swings. The club cracks the head of the bore knocking him to sleep. Hercules drags the beast by its tusk back toward the giants. The four giants stand together amazed that this tiny human could do what they could not.
“Here is your payment, and here is your club. Now I bid you let me pass.”
Their leader orders the other three to hurry and bind the beast. “What is your name so I may tell my children of your feat?”
“Once I do, you will let me pass?”
“Most certainly.”
“I am Hercules.”
“The son of Zeus?”
“Yes. Now please let me pass.”
The angry Cyclops yells, “You were with the human Jason whom blinded my uncle Polyphemus! I will smash you instead.” He propels his fist down towards Hercules.
The mighty son of Zeus catches his fist with his outstretched arms. The giant leans all his weight on his arm in his attempt to crush Hercules. He hold the fist up with one arm as he retrieves a golden arrow from his quiver. He jabs it upward in his palm. The Cyclops hastily retrieves his hand in pain. As it attempts to grabs the arrow with his other hand, Hercules snatches its thumb. He wrestles it back against his gargantuan wrist, and then twist his digit in to a severe position of pain.
The Cyclops screams out, “You may pass! You may Pass!”
Hercules hurries by the agonizing monster and disappears in the Aetolia forest. By the end of the day he leaves Thessaly behind as he approaches the home of the gods. He climbs toward the summit of Mount Olympus hoping the gods and goddesses believed King Cyzicus story of his death. As he near the temple he sees the misty waterfall where the clouds on earth are made. Hercules safely follows the source of the fall up the river of Okeanos that winds through the green plush meadows of the Elysian fields.
A small cloud of colorful butterflies flutters over the pair. Pegasus sips from the still pond as Hercules sees Viola dipping her feet in the cool waters. A peace envelopes his spirit to see they arrived safely. Hercules bends and picks a handful of flowers before greeting the unsuspecting couple. He stands just behind watching Viola stare at the slowly flapping wings of a beautiful butterfly perched on her finger.
He gently startles her with his comment. “Butterflies sense innocence and those pure of heart.” She smiles as she turns her head toward him. He offers his bouquet of colorful flowers while saying, “They are only attracted to true beauty that lay within one's heart. At least that is what my mother told me.”
She leaps to her feet and hugs her hero. “I was worried about your safety.”
Hercules swings his arm away to keep her from crushing his gift. He embraces her. “I see my friend Pegasus has taken good care of you.”
His steed presses his head against them and nudges his way into their group hug. His licking tongue of affection forces an abrupt end to the endearing moment. Both Viola and Hercules laugh as they pat their protector. Once again he offers Viola his gift. This time she notices just how pretty her flowers are.
“They're beautiful Hercules. Thank you.” She leans up and sneaks a kiss.
His humble side causes him to blush, but his heroic side forces him to ask, “Should I pick more flowers?” He puckers his lips and smiles.
She grabs around his neck as her face draws near to his. “You earned this one.” She kisses him longer and slower this time.
They spend time sitting together under the shade of the willow as Hercules tries explaining what has happened, and what he plans to do. Viola runs her soothing fingers through his wavy hair as his head lay upon her lap.
He tells her, “You're safe her a while longer. The unsuspecting gods must have believed what King Cyzicus told the goddesses, that I died.” The mere thought of his death forces Viola's eyes to tear. In this moment her sadness causes him to reflect on his own mortality that he so often recklessly abandons. “I will try and be more cautious with my actions in the face of mortal danger.” Her tears stop as she kisses him once more.
Time grows short. Hercules prepares himself for what he must do next. “I must go now. Please remain her.”
“Why must you go?”
“It seems the gods and goddesses plot against my father and suspect I know of their treason.
This is the last place the gods will look to. This side of the Elysian fields is reserved for the gods pleasure. Their probing eyes search among the living on earth. Others seek Hades council in this matter. Only when he gives them permission can they search the underworld. For that is where they suppose I am. That will take some time for the gods to find I am not really dead. This is why I must leave. To find a way to reveal all the gods and goddesses that plotted against the king. And assist my father in imprisoning them before they attempt to overthrow him. This is the safest place for you right now.”
Viola embraces him. “I know you must go. Take care for I know the gods are crafty.” She kisses him one last time. “Now go do what you must.”
Hercules tells Pegasus, “For now, remain here and watch over Viola. I will call you when you're needed my old friend.”
As he nears the end of the river Okeanos he sees Hermes approaching.
“I have news from your father.” He holds a golden scroll in his outstretched hand.
Hercules retrieves the scroll as Hermes prepares to turn away. “I have something to tell you before you leave.”
“Do you have a message you wish me to give your father?”
“Not at this time. I do wish you to know I thank you for being a good friend to me.”
Hermes smiles. “I too think fondly of you. I must go now. You're not the only one I have news for.”
After Hermes flies off, Hercules view the scroll:
“My son; I have found many perpetrators involved with Ares plot. I have word from gods who remain loyal that others form a secret alliance. They hear whispers the king knows about their deception. They plan to act soon to steal my throne. There is great unrest developing between the gods. We must act now. I too have crafted a plan. This will require your assistance. When the moon is high, come to me at the Pool of True Reflection.”
The scroll dissolves into twinkling golden dust that drifts away.