At the eve of the second day Ulysses reveals their destination. “There she lay. The island of Erytheia. Prepare for landing!” Hercules comes alongside the captain waiting for his instructions.
Ulysses informs Demetrius where they will need to land the ship. “Steer to the south side of the cove. There is deeper water over the jagged rocks that lay hidden below the surf. I leave you in command. Hercules, follow me below deck to retrieve a few things for the king and his son.”
Both men are jerked forward as the return topside. Ulysses smirks while suggesting, “I think we just pulled on shore.” They each carry one end of the long metal present wrapped in canvas upon their shoulders. On it hangs two very large slabs of meat. Hercules carries a canvas bag over his other shoulder. He knows not what is inside it, but it seems heavy.
Two men are ordered to defend the ship as the rest assemble in formation on the beach. The men come to attention drawing their spears tight and their shield's close to their body. Hercules waits with Ulysses in front of the men.
“We are going to visit the king of this place. There are a few secrets on this island. Do exactly what I order and we will all return to the ship alive. Now follow me.” Ulysses marches toward the tree line of the forest. Along the way the crew notices giant foot and paw prints.
An uneasy chatter passes between the ranks to the sheer size and depth of the holes. Hercules heighten senses prepare him for what may come next.
They come upon an opening leading to a sandy field. A massive roadway made of rock in the middle of the field leads over the distant hill ahead. Ulysses slows the pace to allow the men to form two protecting columns on each side.
One of the men asks, “Do you hear that?”
Ulysses orders, “Quickstep march.” It seems he is the only man that knows what is coming.
The other men begin to hear it also. Loud thumping trembles the ground as growling echos over top the hill. Ulysses commands the men, “Halt! Form battle formation.” Hercules watches as the two columns file in front as they turn in to three lines of defense. The unit bravely waits for what approaches.
Ulysses tells Hercules, “Set your end down, and then help me at this end.” Ulysses holds his end up as he grabs a slab of meat. Hercules realizes he is trying to remove the slabs, but they are slightly beyond his reach. Hercules snatches both of the pieces.
“What do you want me to do with these?”
Ulysses says, “Hold them until I tell you to toss them up to the kings pet Orthrus.”
Two distinct dark shapes grow over top the hill. The company grows restless that's evident by their spears rattling against their shields. Ulysses warns them, “Stand fast. Remember who is with us.” Their mind remembers the might of the god that is on their side,
Ulysses orders torches lit. A pair of men hurry as they fumble to light their poles. They raise the fire high before them. They see the two headed monster jousting up and down before them.
Ulysses orders, “Now Hercules!”
He throws the slabs high into the sky as the gnarling teeth jab down. Both greedy dogs fight each other for the meat. Each tugs one slab away from the others mouth.
A thundering voice approaching yells, “Stop that fighting!” Above the flames an even taller figure materializes. It looks like a giant child. Two of his faces seem to show anger as the third tells the two headed dog, “You know better than that. Share or I'll give you a kick you won't soon forget.”
Ulysses yells, “How has my pal Geryones been? All three heads immediately turn their attention toward the source calling out to them.
“Is that you Ulysses?” The face draws near the fire as six eyes search among the soldiers. The scared men automatically raise their spears up to defend themselves.
“Lower your spears. Yes Geryones, it's me Ulysses.”
All three faces smile over top the trembling company. His giant pet thrust its two panting faces alongside its master as it drools down on the unsuspecting men. Ulysses smiles and laughs as his men try scooping and swiping the mass of goo away. Hercules relaxes with his balled fist propped on his waist now that danger has passed.
“I have a gift for you Geryones. But first, let me introduce my friend Hercules.”
This announcement excites the boy. “What is it Ulysses. Can I have it?”
“You'll have to wait until I visit with your father. Then I'll give you your gift.”
“Hello Hercules. I heard my father talk about you. I am glad to finally meet you.”
Geryones stands as he calls his dogs, “Come Orthrus.” He walks toward the hill as his pet follows alongside him.
“Hercules, grab the other end of the king's gift.” The men regain formation as the command is given, “Move out. Follow after the lad.” They quickly march over the hill. “Now that went better than I expected. No one got eaten and we have an escort to protect us along the way.”
Hercules shakes his head side to side thinking how everyone cheated death. “It would be nice if next time you prepare me for encounters with giants or monsters. Ulysses just laughs.
The gargantuan fortress of King Chrysoar appears as they travel down the hill. Excited Geryones stands ahead waving for the company to catch up.
Panting Ulysses breathes out, “I think he is eager to see his present.” Hercules snatches the kings present from Ulysses. “Thanks. It's nice to see you gods don't loose wind like us mortals.” Both men just smile.
Geryones pushes the forty foot tall gates open ahead of the tired procession. He stands aside petting each of Orthrus's heads. “Good dog. Wait here and watch the gate boy.” The men file pass avoiding his waterfall of drool. Ulysses enters the Kings court just behind Geryones.
“Father, father! I brought you some guess.” Loud footsteps approach that cause the stone floor to vibrate.. “Can I have my present now Ulysses?”
“I guess this would be a good time. Hercules, may I have the sack?” Ulysses hands the bound canvas bag to the boy. “I hope you like your gift.”
Geryones tries to untie the bag but he only makes the knot tighter. He clenches the canvas between his teeth and rips the sack open. His gift falls to the floor. All three of his faces fill with amazement. Three mouths converse all at once. “It's a sling shot, What a great gift, I want to shot it first.”
Father arrives to see his joyful son playing with his new gift. With a loud stern voice he instructs his son, “That is for outside use only.” He looks down and smiles. “It's been a long while since you've grace the presence of this great court Ulysses.”
He hoist up the wrapped object he has been working on the last two days. “A gift for the great King of Erytheia.” He bows his head as Chrysaor accepts his offering.
One suspicions eye remains fixed on Ulysses, as the other one marvels at the gift. “Okay Ulysses, what do you want. When you bring me a gift, you always ask for something in return.”
The king begins unraveling his gift as Ulysses says, Nothing your majesty.”
Chrysaor stops what he is doing and cynically laughs. “What do you mean you do not want anything. That would be a first.”
“Well your majesty, there is a first time for everything. Please accept my gift.”
The king decides to continue unravel his gift. His eyes open wide. “Well, this sure is a fine gift.” The king proudly stands his new quident on end with the four prongs pointing up. He stares at it while saying, “Yes. It has one more prong than my father's.” His eyes remain entranced on his shiny new scepter and weapon.
“What's more is it is forged with unbreakable Adamantine, the metal of the gods.”
“My, my.” The king smiles. “I believe this will make even My father Poseidon jealous.”
“I am glad you are so pleased great king.”
“Now I command you to tell me what you want in return before I use this quident on you.” The king juts it up in his hand several time, checking its weight and balance. “This even makes me feel more powerful.”
“I sincerely do not wish anything at all in return. Except maybe.”
“Go ahead, out with it.”
“Maybe just some information mighty King Chrysaor.”
He smiles while saying, “I knew it. Go ask your question. It seems a fair price for such a fine gift.”
“May I introduce my friend Hercules.”
The king's eyes fix on Hercules. “Your legends precede you. Have you come here seeking mischief hero of the Greek's?” He slowly lifts his quident to his shoulder as Hercules prepares to address him.
“I mean you no ill King Chrysaor.” He waits till this revelation sinks in. He bows over while keeping an eye on anxious giant king.
He sees the sincerity in Hercules face and his humble gesture. The king lowers his new scepter to his side as he cautiously watches Hercules proceed.
“My father Zeus is in great danger. The gods and goddesses of Olympus hold him prisoner wishing to steal his throne and possibly take his life.”
“I am sorry for your direr situation, but how I am to help you against all the gods?”
“I only need some wise advice great king. If you would allow me.”
“You do know you risk danger to me, my house, and my family by your very presence here. I should just kill you and win the approval of the rest of the gods. What do you think of that?”
“Please bid me to continue with my question and we will be on our way as fast as we came.”
Ulysses suggests, “How might you like to win the eternal favor of the king of Mount Olympus?”
King Chrysaor ponders the notion.”What happens if you are unsuccessful. Maybe I should side with the other gods.”
“That is true. You know as well as I, they would tear Mount Olympus apart before one of them shares their power.”
Ulyssess and Hercules humbly wait for the king to decide.
“I'll let you ask your question. Then you must hurry on your way. What is it you seek?”
Hercules explains, “Where in the sea might I find the place Titans and monsters go to die? And how might I venture to that place?”
The king ponders what Hercules asked. “To find it is impossible.”
This not the answer he sought. His heart urges him to force the king to think of some solution. He challenges him with provocation. “You are the son of Poseidon, are you not?” He stares at the king as he fidgets in his throne. “I know the gods intelligence far surpasses mere human thought. You must think of a way great king.”
“I do not know where it lay, but I do know how you might journey there.”
This new insight causes Hercules to state, “That is all I need great king.”
“The problem is you would die before you could travel there.”
“What do you mean King Chrysaor?”
“My sister Charybdis guards the passage. You would have to enter under her very nose the whirlpool she resides in.”
Ulysses remembers the tale. It is in a place at the edge of the known world where sailor forbid themselves to go. Great danger and sea monsters lurk in those dark waters.
“Might you at least tell me the name of this place?”
Both Ulysses and the king speak its location at the same instant. “The Straits of Messina.”
The king commands, “Now you must go!”
Hercules rises as he speaks, “I am forever in your debt great King Chrysaor.”
The king remains seated as Hercules and Ulysses retreat outside the great court.
Ulysses orders the men. “Form up! We move out immediately!”
They march in two columns back toward their ship. No one talks, but you can hear their busy minds think. Ulysses knows the story of Charybdis. She was chained to the cliffs of Messina as punishment, where she remains till she perish. The great whirlpool is created as punishment by the gods. He looks at Hercules wondering. He speculates if he might know about the danger they face. He is wrong though. Fearless Hercules is thinking about the people of Athens, and the fate that awaits his father, stepmother, and friend Hermes if he fails.
They hear the screams of the guards and crushing of the wooden ship. Ulysses orders the battle cry, “Charge! The ship is under attack.” The sunrise gradually unveils the grasping claws of the giant crab. The men charge the beach to aid their fellow crew members fight off the snapping six clawed beast. Ulysses tells Hercules, “This must be cancer's revenge.”
The men on shore get close enough to jab their spears at the colossus crustacean. Several of the crew merge atop the ship to help defend top-deck. The crab's crust is thicker than their spears can pierce. They clink and slide off its red armor. The beast rises from the water as its claws change direction. It attacks what is beneath it. Hercules toss the creature toward the beach. It soars overhead and it lands on its back. Its body rock back and forth as its frantic claws and legs reach toward the ground below. The crew form a line in front of the creature to bar it from returning to their ship. Hercules rushes out of the water and hurries to the crab before it flips itself right-side up. He slides his legs against its shell and begins pulling on its claw. The creature makes an awful gurgling sound as his entire pincer pulls off its body. Hercules moves to the next leg as the helpless beast aimlessly snaps its remaining claws in the air. He yanks the second leg from off the creatures body as it gurgles in pain once more. The four remaining claws jab skyward.
Hercules asks the creature, “Have you had enough?” He mercifully drags the monster to the edge of the sea, and then tosses it pass the ship. Everyone watches it land in the water. It scurries off to the safety of deeper water. “I guess we eat crab the rest of our journey.” Several of the laughing crew assists Hercules in loading the two massive claws on board. The rest whisper their thankfulness to each other for the Greek god that sails with them.
Ulysses assesses the damage to the ship as Hercules comes to his aid. “Luckily the harm to the ship is only to the deck and rail. Nothing that might make her less seaworthy.” He assigns several men to fix what was broken. He commands, “Shove off. We sail again.”
One day later the ship nears the end of the Ionian Sea. Ulysses stands on the bow of the ship waving Hercules to come join him. He looks ahead toward the narrow space between the island and the land that lay on the east side of the strait. Hercules shares the view alongside the captain.
Ulysses tells him, “Zeus's curse lay just ahead. No man dare fish this area. For strange creatures of the deep abound in these waters. Sharks with two heads have been pulled up in fisherman’s nets. Deformed things have been known to craw over the sides of ships.”
“I have heard the she giant's legend. On the east side is where she serves her punishment for helping her father Poseidon war against my father. Zeus chained her between the cliffs ahead and left her with unquenchable thirst for the sea. Three times a day she sucks the water down before vomiting it out on the sea floor. Even those favored by the gods dare not sail this strait. For if they avoid the times she swallows the sea, they must pray to stave off another of the seas monsters. Sailing to the west side of the strait to avoid Charybdis and her whirlpool is no safer choice. For the six headed sea monster Scylla protects the waters on this side of the strait.”
“Trapped between two dangers. Trapped between Charybdis and Scylla.”
Hercules cynically laughs, “I am the first man to wish to be sucked down in her whirlpool.”
“Pray my friend she does not see you in the swirling waters, or she may crush you instead between her teeth.” Ulysses laughs while staring at the demigod. “Drop anchor! This is where we wait.”
As Hercules prepares for the long swim, Ulysses hands him two gifts. “This may aid you in your venture.” He hands him a short sword. “I made this for you from the metal of the gods. May it keep you out of the hands of danger.”
Hercules places the blade in its sheath and lashes it to his side. He looks at Ulysses and says, “May the fates keep you safe. For I know the gods will not.”
&nb
sp; “Place this gift on your head. It will give you air to breath when you are below the sea. When the shell clouds over you will know your air is spent.”
Hercules slings its strap over his shoulder. He stands on the side of the ship preparing to dive in the sea.
“Hurry back my friend. May your father Zeus somehow protect you.”
The crew join their captain in watching Hercules swim the three miles to the mouth of the straight. They become one in spirit hoping he has the courage and strength to do what is hopeless for man.