Hercules realizes the fortune of the fates is not upon him. He sees this is not the time the she giant thirsts. All the water in the sea tries to pass through the narrow opening creating a torrential current. He fights the rushing water trying to keep himself in the spot where the whirlpool should form. He thinks Charybdis does not thirst. I must fight the passing sea till she does.
The high noon sun parches his throat as his hands and legs dig at the sea. And eerie feeling comes over him during the quiet and peace of the passing water. He thinks I have waited too long in this sea for nothing to happen. Suddenly he sees a school of fins rushing toward him.
Something under the water wraps around his leg. A thousand pricks stab it forcing his other leg to kick the creature off. He watches as a row of metal like fins circle up and down in the sea. A shark like head leaps up snapping at Hercules face. He grabs what he thinks is its neck, preventing the two mouthed beast from biting his head off. The thing thrashes in the water as he sees two rows of short sharp legs run under its swerving body. It wiggles like an eel and full of legs like a centipede. He chokes the life from the 20 foot monster. Its jabbing jaws full of teeth cease. He lets loose the dead beast as he sees a half dozen of its friends have followed. There are too many to fight. He knows these creatures must be defeated below the sea.
He dives deep toward the dark water through the red mist of his blood. The water is so dark he cannot see his hand. He stops and turns toward the light coming from above to see six or seven serpents wiggling toward him. He draws his sword and swims upward as the creatures file after each other. He holds his sword up as he swims quickly under the belly of the beast slicing the first six wide open. The last adjust course so Hercules cannot maneuver to its underside. Its two jaws open wide preparing to swallow him whole. Hercules defends himself by grabbing the serpent’s snout. He holds his body out of its gnashing teeth by thrusting his legs against its bottom jaws. He reaches behind and below to snatch the floundering remains. Angrily he thinks You want to eat. Eat your self to death. He stuffs this final beast's belly full till it burst.
He swims through the carnage and grabs a hunk of flesh. He surfaces and immediately bites off a piece of his victory. He thinks Its taste is not so bad. He knows this will give him much needed strength for the mission ahead. He finishes chewing the last of the serpent as a small funnel forms in the sea. He hopes the commotion has not alerted this giant to his existence. He floats in the gentle swirling current as it turns into a massive sucking spinning pit. He swirls down and down the water slide and he twirls round and round toward the giant mouth in the sea.
Tons and tons of pressure force him down through the dark churning orifice. He is thrust along the torrent pass the giant jagged teeth. The current slows enough for him to place the conic shell over his head. He looks around inside her belly through the polished shell as he begins to breath again. The startled creatures of all sorts seem to have lost their hunger. Every things is dedicated to searching for a way to escape this dark death. The current begins to reverse as these creatures swim toward the sudden light at the opening.
Hercules propels out into the dark abyss as fast as an arrow is shot from its bow. The current slows as the swirling debris drag to a stop before settling to the sea floor. His eyes adjust to the dim light that makes its way to this depth. He gains some of his vision allowing him to see ahead. He notices a distant glow and swims in its direction.
The point of light becomes a dancing blue beacon luring whatever swims in the deep. A blue haze blankets the rolling seafloor. Dark mounds of sand help block the flickering blue flame as he draw near the edge of where the light reaches. He navigates through the valleys that run between the many hills as his eyes search for what sleeps here. It seems the sand of time covers their beds hiding their still graves. Carefully he passes over what he knows must be the monsters that rest in peace.
A great brightness illuminates the sphere that lingers above Hercules. It shines like the moon. Its light rages with roaring blue flames. A sparkling golden strand spins round the base of the fire. His eyes follow the line to see where it runs to. He turns away from the fire to find it connects round and through the end of a massive chain. From this side of the hills a dozen giant blue faces are discovered. The riddle makes sense now. Typhon's strand wraps the base of the fire like a string around a toy top. If I take the fire I'll cause it to spin and turn back the hands of time. That will wake the dead Titans by giving them life once more. If I cut the strand I will alert Typhon, the god of monsters and storms.
Hercules swims back to the burning sphere to investigate why he just cannot grab the cold blue flame. He finds out why as he propels on to the shell of the fire's invisible armor. His hands search the cold glassy globe to see what it might be made of. He is faced with problems his mind has no way of answering, except to wake the Titans, or alert the god of mayhem. His vision blurs as he notices his helmet begins to fog over. Whatever he is going to do, he knows he must do it now. Haste forces him to remember something.
Out of curiosity he reaches in his tunic. He grabs the vial containing the potion made from the moss of Endure. He reasons Typhon is a god, and gods hate this potion. Why not give it a try.
He tilts the vial he can barely see on the surface of the sphere. The water clouds as the last of his potion streams out the vial. It seems the area he poured it out is clearer than the rest of the protecting globe. He place his hand there to find a whole. It is only large enough to stick his hand and arm in. He slowly reaches inside to find himself inches short of obtaining the cold flame. Frustration attacks him with the though he is so close, yet still so impossibly far away.
A vision fills his mind. He's not sure if it is his lack of air, or if his father Zeus really is trying to show him something. He cannot hear father's voice but he does understand he wants him to turn around and look down. He holds his breath and removes the fogged helmet. He follows his father's instruction and turn around searching for what he is trying to tell him. Fear suddenly alerts him he must be waking the giants. Dozens and dozens of red and blue eyes pierce the dark waters. He knows he has to hurry and find whatever father was telling him that lay somewhere on the seafloor. He sees it.
He darts to the bottom and tears off a length of the weed growing up. He swims to the globe with a hand full of kelp. He reaches inside the hole as far as he can and holds the weed with the of his hand. The cold flame begins to ignite the blue weed. Quickly, he removes his arm and swims up with the blue bright torch. His lungs pain him, feeling like they're ready to explode. He looks a last time below to see Titan eyes return to their sleep, as the blue light in their eyes go out one by one.
He breaks the surface as his lungs sucks all the air they can hold. His head floats in a fog the lack of air created. The cold flames stills burns in his hand which warms his desperate heart. The joy of the moment does not last long. Six heads of Scylla scream out as her giant squid body rushes toward this intruder.
Hercules has an idea. He turns away and swims toward the opposing cliffs. He watches behind to see the huge crests of waves propelling toward him. He reaches the desired area and sticks the fire in the water. He yells mightily, “Mount Olympus!” All the commotion awakens Charybdis to suck down the intruder in her mouth. The whirlpool forms as he swims away. It seems his plan works. Scylla's heads twirl around as she remains stuck in Charybdis' current. The length of her chain keeps her trapped at the edge of the swirls. Charybdis' vengeance chokes Scylla's shackled neck tight in her current.
Ulysses sees the blue flame held above the water as it approaches. “Lift anchor and prepare to be boarded.” The crew hustle to follow the captain's command as he smiles and shakes his elated head. “We're stealing this one from your greed grasp Poseidon.”
The blue flame rises above the side of the ship as Hercules' hand comes in to view. Ulysses reaches over the side to help him up the side of the ship. “You cheated death once more my friend.”
Hercules leaps down on t
o the deck. “I think it may be a good idea that we put as much water as we can between us and those angry giants.”
“Drop sail! Believe me Hercules. We've already prepared for it.” The ship turns starboard and then proceeds southward away from the Strait of Messina. It is none too soon as horrifying screams emanate from Scylla's six torment heads. It might be Charybdis biting down on Scylla's tentacles.
Ulysses takes the torch from Hercules. He tells one of his crew, “Find him something to eat while he sits and rest. I will find a safe place for this strange fire that burns cold, and water does not put out.”
Hercules rest but oddly is not worn. All he has been through should have drained his strength. He wonders about the flames power to heal. Might be the reason he is refreshed? He is glad to know his father is still well by the vision he seen him in. He stares at the safe place Ulysses has found for the flame. It burns in its lantern's case mounted near the bow of the ship. A steaming plate of food moves toward him. He continues to look at his dancing trophy as he savors the sweet delicate crab meat.
He spends the rest of the day thinking of a plan that will defeat both the gods and goddesses, and the curse that lay on his people. It's been three days since Zeus's blessing fell on Greece. A thought comes to him. He remembers the prophecy. One day Prometheus would be freed by Chronos blue flames. He does not know how to solve all the problems that still plague him. But he knows this is probably the best place for him to start. He feels the eyes of the gods looking on him. So he does not inform Ulysses of his plan. Instead, he tells him where he must be let on shore. This is to confuse the gods of his intent, and help protect Ulysses from their retribution. From there he will enlist the assistance of his faithful friend. They will venture to the valley where Prometheus is hidden for all time.
Hercules waves to Ulysses goodbye amidst the farewells of the crew. “I am in your debt. Thank you all!” He stands with the lantern as the ship shoves off.
“You think you've seen the last of me Hercules?” Both men smile at each other knowing this will not be their last meeting. “Someone has to keep an eye on you to keep you from trouble. Till we meet once more my friend.”
He stands on shore waiting for the ship to sail out of sight. The sun sets as he whistles toward the heavens. His blue light cast over the descending stallion making Pegasus look more like a giant butterfly than a winged stallion. He leaps on his friend and pats his neck. “Thanks Pegasus. Now off to the east.”
They soar through most of the night toward his destination. He does not say allowed where he goes. They fly toward no particular place that lay far, far to the east. The blue flame lights their way amidst this moonless night.
Dawn returns shining its first rays of day upon his mysterious destination. The tops of the Caucasus Mountains glow red as their sides flow down with a rippling purple blanket. He whispers in Pegasus ear, “Land my friend. As soon as you do, take to the sky again. I will call you when I am finished.”
His steed descends at the mouth of a hidden valley way up near the summit of the jagged precipices. Hercules leaps off as Pegasus gallops upward carrying the blue fire tied around his neck. He watches his friend zoom off toward the west. He waits till he is sure he made it away safely. The last of the night makes the flame he carry look like a shooting star. He stores this picture in the memories of his life as he proceeds to carefully venture on.
He climbs the cliff toward the opening above. His is diligent not to make any unwanted noise by grabbing a loose rock, or pressing his feet against a shifting rock face. Any noise would greatly amplify as it echo through the mountain pass. The last thing he wants now is to wake the eagles or tell the gods where he is.
He pulls himself up to see the entrance of the valley. A path wide enough for the gods to travel leads to a wide open lighted space. The path is worn with giant footprints. Some are recent. He sees a narrow chasm that runs just below the trail caused by rain or melting snow. He travels the path least used to conceal his presences. The swerving chasm tightens forcing him to squeeze through sideways. He climbs over fallen rock debris that made its way into this crack in the earth. Light reveals the end of the chasm. Screeching of eagles echos through this chamber as they pass by the exit just ahead. Hercules suddenly realizes he has to hurry before the fowls begin to feed.
His head leer out the chasm toward the thrashing occurring below. Prometheus kicks at the eagles that try and feast on their daily meal. His chains hold him trapped on a giant column slab painted red with his blood. Hercules sneaks nearer and nearer as Prometheus postpones the eternal inevitable. His chains rattle as he toss and turns making it hard for the eagles to land. Hercules forgoes his stealth by drawing out his sword. “Mount Olympus!” He slashes Prometheus chain that cause sparks and thunder to explode. Prometheus leaps up as his chains fall away. He snatches the eagle that has caused his belly to bleed so many times. He bites its neck separating its head from its body.
“How does that feel you pesky bird?” He tries to snatch another, but the flock flies off in fear. He swings his legs over to the side of the red stone to see whom it was that freed him. Hercules looks up above this Titan's knee to see him smiling downward.
“Thank you for freeing me from my eternal torment. I have one question though. How were you able to cut my unbreakable chain?”
“I used an unbreakable sword.”
Prometheus can only say, “Ahhh.”
“We must hurry and escape. I fear we have woken all the gods.”
“Quick, jump on my hand and we shall run away.”
“No Prometheus. I have my own way. Do you think you can make your way to Athens?”
“I am the son of a Titan God. There is little I cannot do. We must hurry!”
Hercules whistles for Pegasus as Prometheus rushes down the giant's path. The blue flame gallops toward him as he prepares to leap upon his horse. “Away Pegasus!” They rapidly climb upward as they soar over the Caucasus cliffs. They hide in the clouds as they zoom back to the city of Athens.
They near the Aegean coast before they leave the safety of the white mist. Pegasus swoops downward as they hurry to the great Greek city. He nears the acropolis to see the citizens did not survive father's last blessing. He cries as sees all the carnage as the crows feast on what remains. They land at the foot of the golden monument. His weight of his heart breaks his heart in two. The only thing he is left with, is knowing he is too late.
The ground around him begins to rumble as he sit on the steps leading up to the column. He lifts his head up to see the giant Prometheus running up the street. Hercules remains seated thinking what he might tell the Titan son. For, there is nothing left here to do. All hope is lost.
Prometheus slows to a pace and sees Hercules solemn face. “What's wrong? Have you lost all hope?”
Hercules has no answer except to point to what is all around them.
“Are you not forgetting something Hercules? I do not know all that has happened, but I do know you posses a substance that could change this current situation.” He points toward the lantern around Pegasus's neck.
Hercules suddenly thinks of a way that might just work!
CHAPTER 8: MERCY FOR THE MONSTER