Chapter 17: Herculean Training.
I jerked awake from my slumber. I hadn't thought to stop and think about my condition. I reached down and grabbed my chest in pain. I knew I was alive, because someone had saved me. I looked over from my cot to see that Theseus was still sleep. The fact he survived was a miracle. How is it this child seems to survive these things? A question for later for now. I need to find out where we are. I tried to get up when a strong hand slowly pushed me back down.
" Ah awake and already trying to move. The blood of a god runs through you alright." The man spoke. " Brave Spartan, rest is important. You should know that."
" Whoever you are, you have my thanks for saving our lives." I spoke.
" Whoever, I am? Have I been forgotten by my own people?" The man spoke with a hearty laugh. He got closer to me, close enough for me to get a good look at him and then it clicked.
" Hercules!"
" HAHA! That is right, the mighty Hercules! Lucky thing I was coming to find you or else I fear triton and his witch sister would have killed you." He spoke. He wasn't what I expected from the Mighty Hercules. Not that he wasn't powerful. But tales always told of him as a bit arrogant. But the man I see in front of me is nothing of the sort.
" Well, I thank you for saving us. But I must be off." I spoke.
" Off? And do what?" He asked.
" I need to get Theseus somewhere safe here and then i need to get back to Athens." I told the man.
" And do what? You don't get it. The moment you touch that sea, Kymopoleia will be on you again. And at your current strength you'll die before you can beat her or Triton." Hercules explained. His attitude changed from laid back and easy going to stern and serious. " And I will not save you this time."
" Then what do you suppose I do?" I asked the man. My voice lacking any form of restraint or respect.
Hercules stroked his beard in deep thought for a good minute. He then turned his head and looked outside his hut.
" See that boulder over there?" He asked as he pointed to a shiny black boulder that was in his yard.
" Yeah, what about it?" i asked.
" Pick it up." He told me.
I looked at him in confusion. What would lifting a boulder do?
" You want me to lift a boulder?" I asked again.
" Yes, lift the boulder. If you can lift the boulder, then I'll escort you back to Athens. Free of charge." Hercules spoke.
I nodded and got up from the ground. I walked out of the hut and over to the decent sized boulder. I was confident I could lift it. After all, A boulder this size shouldn't be too much for me. Especially since I had been much stronger since defeating Polyphemus.
I crouched down and slid my hands under the boulder as far as I could and lifted. I lifted the boulder straight up with ease... Is what I thought I'd do. But no matter how hard I tried, no matter how much I strained myself I could not lift the boulder even an inch.
" Come on? Are you even trying?" Hercules asked. He walked up behind me as I struggled to lift the boulder and with one hand, he lifted the giant object up into the air with me still hanging onto it with ease.
I dropped to the ground and looked up at the man in shock. Was I that weak compared to him? I guess that's why he's the god of strength.
" You couldn't lift this. You don't stand a chance at Kymopoleia or Triton as you are now. Leaving my home will only result in your death." Hercules explained.
" What... What is that boulder?" I asked.
" It's adamantine. The metal of the gods. It's still in its natural form and hasn't been processed by Hephaestus yet. All gods can lift it, but this one is much larger than most. Which is why only I can lift it like this. Triton can lift it off the ground. You can't. Yet." Hercules spoke.
" What do you mean?" I asked.
" I'm going to train you. I can't just let you go out there and get killed without putting up a proper fight." Hercules spoke.
" You're going to train me?" I asked.
" Yes, in sixth months' time if you give it, your all every day, I promise. I can make you strong enough to face and beat Triton. But I must warn you, it's going to be the worst experience of your life." Hercules spoke.
I didn't waste time to think it over. The god of Strength offered to train me himself. If I was going to beat Triton and his sister, I'm going to need to be stronger.
" I accept." I replied.
Hercules grinned and then grabbed me up off the ground.
" Training begins now. Get down in a push-up position." Hercules told me.
I nodded and got down on my hands. Only for Hercules to place two slabs of stone of my back that nearly caused me to topple over.
" One thousand push-ups. Once you're done, then we'll move onto the next. Like I said this will be more torment than you've ever experienced. But when we're done, not even Ares himself will be your match." Hercules spoke.
This was hard, it was nearly impossible for me to lift myself. Nearly that is. I have a challenge in front of me and I swear I will overcome it. And when I do, I will return home, and no one will stop me from ending this Persian war.
XxX
Mount Olympus.
" HESTIA! How dare you!" Kymopoleia screamed.
" Whatever are you talking about my sweet niece?" Hestia asked.
" You're the one who sent Hercules to stop Triton and me. I know you were." Kymopoleia shouted to the top of her lungs.
" I don't know what you're talking about." Hestia replied.
" That's fine. Play dumb. just know my father will know about this. And that brat who killed Polyphemus too." Kymopoleia replied as she stormed out of Hestia's palace.
Hestia shuddered as she knew Poseidon would most definitely look into the man who slew his son, and when he finds out who it is, he might just personally pay Hercules a visit.
" At his best, Hercules just might be able to beat Poseidon. If only barely. His strength is unrivaled amongst the Olympian gods. But that is just his strength. Poseidon has a vast array of powers that Hercules doesn't. Perhaps, I need to pay a visit to Hades. Or Perhaps Hephaestus?" Hestia wondered.
"
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