The commotion reached my ears long before I entered the throne room. Whispers of admiration and excitement rippled through Olympus, the gods clamoring about him. Hercules, son of Kratos, the God of Strength, had become the center of every conversation. His name was spoken with reverence and awe, as though he were a shining beacon of mortal and divine greatness. A living legend in the making, they said.
I wasn't impressed.
Leaning back on my throne in the Underworld, I listened to my daughter, Melinoë, recount the latest exploits of this so-called hero. The latest trial was the most audacious yet: Hercules had been tasked with capturing Cerberus, my loyal three-headed Zinogre companion and the guardian of the Underworld.
"He's already completed eleven of the trials," Melinoë said, rolling her eyes. "The mortals worship him as if he's some kind of savior destined to change the world."
I raised an eyebrow. "Savior? More like an over-glorified errand boy. Hercules is a brat, and his father is a bastard. Both muscle-bound fools with no sense beyond their biceps."
Hecate, standing nearby, snorted behind her hand, trying to stifle her laughter.
Still, the prospect intrigued me. Hercules, the so-called Son of Strength, daring to enter my domain and lay claim to what was mine? It was either bravery or unparalleled stupidity.
"Let him come," I said finally, my voice cold and resolute. "I'd like to see if this son of Kratos is truly worthy of the praise he receives."
<--------------->
Hercules arrived days later. His heavy footsteps echoed through the dark halls of the Underworld as he marched with the arrogance of someone who thought himself invincible. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his muscles rippling beneath the Nemean lion pelt draped over him. His famed marble club rested on one shoulder, and his face wore the cocky smirk of a man too used to being praised.
From the shadows, I watched as he made his way deeper into my domain, his confidence unwavering even as the souls of the dead shrank away from his presence. His arrogance was infuriating, but it also made what would come next all the more satisfying.
Cerberus awaited him in the depths, his three heads snarling, their glowing eyes fixed on the intruder. Sparks of lightning danced along his spiked fur, and the air vibrated with the electric tension of an impending storm.
Hercules hesitated for a moment but quickly steadied himself. His hand moved to the hilt of his club, and he called out in a voice meant to sound commanding. "Cerberus! Stand down. I mean no harm. Come, boy, let's go for a walk!"
I stepped forward before he could make an even bigger fool of himself.
"And who gave you the authority to address my companion as though he were yours to command?"
Hercules turned sharply, his eyes narrowing as he took in my presence. He bowed stiffly, though the action reeked more of obligation than respect. "Lord Hades," he said, his voice steady. "I come to fulfill my trial. I need to bring Cerberus to my cousin, Eurystheus. I am doing these trials to atone for killing my family."
I descended the steps toward him, my black robes billowing behind me. My gaze locked onto his, cold and unyielding. "You wish to prove your worth by abducting a guardian of the Underworld?" I asked, my voice calm but laced with menace. "And what, pray tell, do you think would happen to my realm in Cerberus's absence? Do you understand the chaos that would unfold?"
Hercules straightened, his pride pricked. "I don't seek to keep him, Lord Hades. I'll return him once the trial is complete."
I laughed, the sound echoing through the chamber like a crack of thunder. "You think I'll hand over Cerberus because you promise to return him? Such arrogance."
Cerberus growled in agreement, sparks flashing as one of his heads snapped at Hercules, narrowly missing him.
"Then I'll take him by force," Hercules said, his voice low and resolute.
The air grew deathly still. I tilted my head, intrigued by his audacity. "You'll take him? By force? Do you even comprehend where you stand, boy?"
Without waiting for an answer, I extended my arms, my wings unfurling with a rush of power. The winds howled, and the flames in my eyes burned brighter, casting an eerie glow across the chamber.
"This is the Underworld," I said, my voice echoing with ancient authority. "Here, I am the final law, the ultimate power. Do you really think brute strength will save you?"
Hercules, with all the brilliance of a man operating on a single brain cell, charged at me, his club raised high.
I sighed, snapping my fingers.
His body exploded in a shower of blood, painting the chamber red.
The silence that followed was deafening. With another snap, I restored him, whole and alive. Hercules gasped, his knees buckling as he realized what had just happened.
"How did it feel to die, Son of Strength?" I asked, my tone casual. "Ready to give up yet?"
"L-Like hell I am!" he shouted, clutching his club.
I sighed again and snapped my fingers once more.
This time, he was struck by a bolt of my primordial fire, reducing him to ash. A flick of my wrist brought him back, coughing and trembling.
We repeated this cycle several times. Hercules, to his credit—or foolishness—refused to yield.
Eventually, I grew bored. With a dismissive wave, I turned and began walking back toward my throne. "You've proven your stupidity, Hercules. If this is what passes for greatness among the mortals, I pity them."
Cerberus growled one last time, his three heads snapping in unison as Hercules slumped to the ground, defeated and humiliated.
"Leave my domain," I commanded, my voice cold and final. "And tell your father that the next time he sends his brat to my realm, I won't be so merciful."
Hercules stumbled to his feet, his pride shattered. He pratically booked it out of my realm as I sighed and petted Cerberus, creating him a giant meaty bone to snack on as I left him to enjoy his treat.
"Guess we are entering the Age of Heroes..." I pinched the bridge of my nose as I headed back home. "Great I do wonder what is going to be next."