20+ Advanced chapters on P@treon.com/Saintbarbido.
-0-
The story begins as most others in Greek Mythology do.
One day Zeus, the Olympian God Of Gods was horny.
The target of his lust happened to be Alcmene, the wife of the King of Mycenia.
Taking advantage of her husband, King Amphitryon's absence, he slept with her.
9 months later, Alcmene bore twins, both of them boys.
One belonged to her husband Amphitryon and the other to Zeus. One was a mortal Demi-god and the other just a mortal baby. One was named Heracles, and the other Iphicles.
Guess which one I am.
-0-
"Bwaahhahaaha...!!"
A cry of terror erupts from my growing vocal chords, filling the chamber with a baby's voice.
Below an open window, two snakes hiss as they slither our way, crawling into the crib my brother and I share.
I can't believe I'm going to die only 8 months after getting reborn. It's too soon!
I can neither defend myself, nor escape. My limbs are short and ruddy, the most I manage is rolling around, screeching like a banshee in hopes that one of the maids will come and save us.
By my side, my twin is quiet, the very picture of calmness. Unlike me, he's not afraid, merely confused while I'm this close to shitting myself.
His eyes carry a glint of interest as the pair of green serpents loom over us, jaws opening to reveal sharp fangs. Venom drips down on my bed, eating through the blanket like acid.
My cry cuts off as fear totally immobilizes me and I soil myself. I don't want to die again...
The snakes strike out!
Whoosh!
Faster than I think is possible, my brother's hands shoot out and grab both snakes by the neck, cutting off their hissing.
He squeezes and there's a crunch then the snakes' heads burst apart like watermelons, painting us in blood and brain matter.
After killing them with barely any effort, he shakes their remains with chubby little hands. As if to wondering why they are no longer moving.
I gape.
"My babies!..."
Mom frantically runs in, only to pause by the door, stunned at the sight of my Twin playing with two dead snakes.
Despite my rebirth, it occurs to me I might not be the 'special' one between us.
-15 years later-
My name in this world is Iphicles. It's been 15 years after the Snake incident, and all I can say is...that was nothing compared to what I've seen since then.
Sweat dots my brow as I face Heracles in the training yard, where we are surrounded by the Palace's Warriors.
I can feel our Father's eyes on us. And a second later, he gives the order.
"Begin!"
I tighten my grip on the wooden sword and rush forward to attack, swinging out with a side slash. Heracles raises his shield to defend.
He bats my sword aside, but the action causes it to explode into splinters that tear the skin of my palm which then starts bleeding.
I grit my teeth through the pain and impact his chest with my own shield. The blow lands on his solar plexus, enough to hurt a normal opponent. However, like always, he remains steady and smirks down at me.
"Try harder Iphi."
I let go of my shield as he cleaves through it with his own practice sword, shattering both.
Jumping off his lowered shield, I bring a knee to his nose, but it's like hitting a brick wall.
I duck his shield swipe by staggering back, but he follows and reenacts my own move at me, by slamming into my chest with the shield.
My reflexes prevent me from taking the full hit and it's accompanying damage, by shifting my balance so that only my shoulder is brushed.
And yet, that slight contact is enough to send me flying, thrown backwards by his Titanic Strength.
I grunt in the air, flipping my body around and land close to the edge of the sparring circle, holding my bruised shoulder.
The onlookers start cheering for him. And Heracles basks in the attention.
'Tap.'
Something hard smacks me on the back of my head.
Frustrated and now annoyed, I turn around and meet Master Chiron's stern look.
"You always compete against him in strength and you always lose, Iphicles. Use your quick wit and wear him down."
He's right. And his advice serves to cool my head.
I nod and face my twin once more. Heracles has his back turned away from me, his attention is on the palace maids watching our bout. He's completely open.
My eyes narrow.
I discard my weapons and dart forward quickly.
With my uninjured hand, I take out his knee, and before he can recover, grab his arm and execute a back end shoulder throw, sending him sailing out of the circle.
My brother lands on his head, arse stuck in the air. It's a funny scene that makes me smile.
I hear some chuckling but the general crowd stares at me unfavorably. While Heracles is universally loved and admired in the palace, people don't like me so much, despite us being identical twins.
As for my brother, he groans and rights himself up, glaring at my offered hand before taking it.
"You cheated Iphi."
He accuses.
"I saw an opening and went for it, Herc. Just like Master Chiron taught us."
I reply with an eye roll.
Standing eye-level with me, I'm reminded of how different we are.
He's larger in stature than I and most of the warriors around. With
bulky muscles built for power and endurance, long blonde hair and fair features that women gush over, he looks like a God.
Had to believe he's only 15. And that we're related.
In contrast to him, I'm lean, cut my hair short, and much much weaker. Stronger than a 15 year old, mind you, but I'm never going to have Heracles' ungodly strength and durability.
So I choose to train everything else.
"Good job Iphicles."
Chiron saunters our way on four legs. the bottom half of his body is horse-like.
History knows him as Chiron the hero trainer. Having instructed the likes of my great Grandfather Perseus, Jason and Achilles. He's famous and skilled. I'm still at a loss of how Father was able to convince the Centaur to train us. My guess is Heracles.
"And you Heracles, how many times do I have to tell you not to drop your guard during a battle?"
Chiron whacks my brother on the head with his stick.
"Ow. Chiron that hurts! I don't do it on purpose. And Iphi cheated. You saw it."
He points at me.
I feel my lips stretch into a smirk.
"I didn't do it on purpose either. The opening was too tempting to ignore. Maybe next time don't make eyes at the Palace Maids and forget your opponent, brother."
I shrug, turning to leave.
Behind me, Heracles fumes.
"That's it! I challenge you to a wrestling match."
"No thanks."
I throw back with a chuckle, and exit the Training Yard. On my way out, my father's eyes slide over me emotionlessly. Yet pride appears when he glances at Heracles.
The smile I wear turns bitter.
Nothing new there. Let them all fawn over him. He's after all a Demigod, and me? I'm just a mortal who was lucky enough to be reborn.