The God of Olympus (15 page)

             
Pericles moved outside of the temple where he could overlook all of Athens.  There he saw only darkness, but he imagined what could be.  He could see Athens in flames.  He could see people running frantic in the streets.  Great buildings and statues toppled to the ground.  He felt it was a great vision from the Gods.  “Oh yes, I have been granted a great revelation!  I see what shall befall my great city if I do not do something.”

             
Then Pericles looked up into the sky and said,

“All of Greece will feel the wrath of days gone by,

Without you by their side!

All of Greece will stumble and fall without me to fight,

Without me to guide their steps,

And so drastic steps I must make,

In order to best preserve us from this fate!

Yes, I shall order this city!

I shall make it the city of Zeus, Hera, Athena, Poseidon, and Aphrodite!

Whether you live or not
makes no difference!

For I shall be their Savior!

I shall establish order.

I shall establish a great army.

I shall establish unity.

I shall save Athens!

And how many shall praise my name,

The name of Pericles!

No more shall they praise Zeus or Hera,

But it will be Pericles, Pericles the Great!”

              And so, in Pericles’ mind, only he could save Athens and he was to save it using any way, if necessary.  And so the mind of Pericles became worn and distorted.

******

              The moments after Philoctetes saw Hercules leave were filled with deep sadness.  Not only had Philoctetes wanted to go with Hercules wherever he went on his journey, but he had also feared Hades and his power would work devastations on his young hero, as it had many heroes in the past.

             
He looked down towards the earth in sadness.  He then looked up towards the heavens.  “Zeus, what would you have me do?  The hero you have given me to look after, your own son, has left, has disobeyed my counsel.”  Philoctetes looked up into the sky, hoping to see, or at least hear the words of the great God.  But for several moments he heard nothing.  “Or is it true?  Do the Gods really sleep?  Do they no longer care for the affairs of mortals or cursed beings like me?”  Philoctetes looked down and turned away.  He didn’t think that anyone was coming.  But then something miraculous happened.

             
He suddenly saw a brilliant light emerge from behind him.  He turned around and there saw Zeus, all arrayed in white, a white so bright that it seemed as if it was “white light.”  Then, next to Zeus, was Hera, a goddess with bright blonde hair dressed in all green.

             
“We do not dwell in temples made with mortal hands,” said Zeus. “But we can dwell here in nature.  And we can come now because Hades’ eyes are now set on other affairs—our dear son Hercules.”

             
“So it is really true?” asked Philoctetes.  “The boy is your son…the son of the greatest of Gods!”

             
Hera nodded, moved forward, and ran her hands along Philoctetes’ furry face.  “Yes, my dear Philoctetes,” said Hera.  “And we have watched him from afar since he came into this world.”

             
“Now Hades has set a trap for Hercules,” said Zeus.

             
“I am sorry, I told him not to do deals with Hades…I told him not to go,” said Philoctetes.  “I can still go to him!  I can take a boat and go to that wretched island!”

             
“No,” said Hera.  “Do not go.  Hercules’ fate is now bound with the fate of this woman, so he must go to her.  Instead, you must now concentrate on other affairs.  You have trained Hercules well and, if you continue forward, will be able to shirk away the curse you have been given.”

             
Philoctetes smiled.  This brought him great joy.  “Very well, what else must I do?”

             
“You must now go to Athens,” said Zeus.  “There you must look over the city and protect it from corruption, for as we speak Pericles is working malice within it.  Driven by his desire to maintain his great praise and power, he has done terrible things.  You must prepare Athens for Hercules’ return, for the day will come shortly that war will come upon all of Greece!”

             
“But how can I do that?  I am cursed!” exclaimed Philoctetes.  “People will not listen to me, but will fear me!”

             
Zeus looked to Hera and said, “Come, we must go!  Hades’ gaze has shifted away from Hercules for the moment and he may see us away from Mount Olympus.”  Zeus turned away from Philoctetes and began walking away.

             
Hera nodded and followed.  “But wait!” exclaimed Philoctetes.  “How am I to accomplish this great task?”

             
Hera turned back for a moment and smiled.  “Oh, when the time comes you will know Philoctetes.  Of this we have no doubt.”

             
After this Philoctetes watched as both Zeus and Hera disappeared, back to Mount Olympus.

             
Philoctetes was amazed at what just happened.  He didn’t know how he alone was going to look over and protect the city of Athens, but he knew that, if Zeus and Hera commanded him to do so, it must be possible.  He put out the fire he had started, turned around, looked over the mountain range, picked up his small bag and cane, placed the hood over his face and began the long walk to Athens.  But even he could not imagine the corruption waiting for him.

C
hapter 10: Meg and the Garden of Alcinous

             
It was mid-day when Hercules approached the infamous island of Corfu, just to the west of the Greek mainland.  The island was by no means extra-ordinarily large, and by comparison, was much smaller than the island of Crete, where Hades had his underworld.  From a distance Hercules could see that the island was very lush, and much of what existed there was covered by heavy vegetation, rock, and trees.

             
The northern part of the island was very mountainous and had many jagged cliffs.  The center part of the island was full of many hills and valleys.  But the southern part was uninterrupted fertile plains.  It was there that Hercules thought it best to land Pegasus, for it was here that he expected to find this mysterious woman.

             
As Pegasus began his descent Hercules looked down, but could see no buildings—no sign of life.  Before Pegasus could even land Hercules leapt off of him to the ground, with his sword drawn.  He figured that if Hades wanted Hercules to come here there must be some terrifying beast or warrior here waiting to destroy him.  But he was surprised to find that this was not the case.

             
Hercules could hear the waves rushing up against the rocks on the beach and it was beautiful.  He kept his sword in hand, but lowered it slightly.  Pegasus was silent.  “Hades said that there is a soul here who needs rescuing,” said Hercules as he looked over at Pegasus.  “Together we must discover what evil lingers here.”

             
Pegasus didn’t look too enthusiastic, but nevertheless agreed to accompany Hercules.

             
Hercules spent several hours searching the grassland, but he could find nobody.  Many thoughts erupted within Hercules’ mind.  He thought that perhaps a great Titan or giant was keeping this woman captive.  Or perhaps she was a magician capable of disappearing or somehow camouflaging herself.  Or it also crossed his mind that perhaps she had already died on this island.

             
For the most part the island was very silent.  And after several miles of walking the two felt very exhausted; darkness was falling upon them now and they knew they needed to rest.  “Come Pegasus, let us sleep here for the night,” said Hercules.  Pegasus nodded and found a nice spot to lie on the ground while Hercules slept up against a tree.  A few minutes past and both laid down there under the stars and fell asleep.

******

              Hercules woke up to the bright sun that peaked down through the trees.  He looked around and saw that Pegasus was still asleep.  Then he heard the sound of footsteps.  It was soft and subtle, but enough for Hercules to hear.  He thought that perhaps it was some devilish creature and looked over at his sword.  He reached over and picked it up.  He slowly got up from the ground and while Pegasus was still asleep followed the sound.  He walked slowly through the forest, and looked ahead, but could see nobody.  The sound continued, but he could see nobody.  He continued moving forward and the sound got closer and closer, but he could see noone.  He began to get nervous.  He knew that whatever it was it was close.

             
Hercules lifted his sword and then spoke in his most demanding and intimidating tone possible.  “Who’s there?  Come and reveal yourself!”

             
Nobody emerged.  He looked down and saw a squirrel scuttle around him through the trees.  He was relieved.  It was a large squirrel, but he figured it was large because of all the food it got on this island.

             
Hercules looked forward and suddenly saw something—a great fountain.  The fountain was new and smooth and seemed to beckon him to taste the water.  It was the first sign of civilization he had seen on this island and seemed to prove to him that someone did indeed live here, or at least used to.

             
The fountain was about three feet high and looked like it was made of some kind of magical white stone.  He noticed that there was no vegetation around the fountain, and none that grew around the stone.  The top of the fountain was one large, wide bowl which enticed Hercules to look into, so Hercules moved forward towards the fountain.

             
Hercules was thirsty, after one night of sleep and all of his travels, and when he looked into the fountain he saw water come up from the center.  The water did not seem old and the bowl of the fountain itself was as clean as the outside of it.  Of all of this, however, the most amazing thing about the fountain was the water itself.  The water seemed to shimmer, shine, and sparkle like it was just made from the hand of God himself.

             
Hercules couldn’t resist drinking it and so he cupped his hands and dipped them into the water.  He let his hands reach his open mouth and took a large sip of the water.  Surprisingly to him the water was very cold, but not too cold.  It was just perfect.

             
Suddenly Hercules felt a chill all around him.  He felt like someone was watching him.  He reached down, grabbed his sword, and slowly turned around.  Then, there before him, several feet away, was something he did not expect.

             
Hercules was taken aback when he saw her, for she was no ordinary woman. Her hair was as black as the blackest night but her skin was as white as the whitest rose. She wore a light-purple Greek dress that seemed to glow, much like her entire body.  Her feet were bare and her body clean of any scratch or defilement.  In these moments he felt that he had strayed into a dream.

             
“Do you like it, the water from the fountain?” she asked, in a soft, soothing tone of voice.

             
Hercules did not know what to say for a moment.  “Yes, I do…” he managed to mumble.  He looked away and then back to her.

             
“What is wrong?  Do you not believe me to be real?” she asked softly.

             
“How do I do not know you are a figment of my imagination?” asked Hercules.  “After all I have been journeying a long time and you may be a figment of a distraught and malnourished mind.”

             
The woman smiled and walked confidently towards him.  She approached him slowly and placed her right hand gently on top of his outstretched sword.  “Do I look like something you could imagine?”

             
Hercules didn’t know what to say.  She certainly didn’t seem like anything he could imagine.  She was far too beautiful for that.  “I suppose not…”  Suddenly another idea came into his mind.  “But what if you are not really a woman?  What if you are really some terrifying creature, but transformed into a beautiful woman?”

             
“If I can transform into a terrifying creature then why didn’t I when you had your back turned?”

             
Hercules nodded and let his sword down.  “I suppose you have a point…”

             
She smiled and then said, “There are two great fountains on this island.  One dwells here in towards the south.  Its waters are divine and one sip can relieve the thirst of a grown man for a week.”

             
“Does it ever dry?”

             
“No,” replied the woman.  “It needs nothing, but is self-sustaining, an everlasting fountain of water.  The water comes from the deepest depths of the earth, a place where no man before has touched.  The water from this fountain could fulfill the thirst of everyone in the world, at least for a season.”

             
“What of the other fountain?”

             
“The other is in my palace,” said the woman.  “I drink from it often.  It has other abilities, abilities that are only for me and not for you.”

             
Hercules didn’t feel it appropriate to probe her further on the power of the other fountain and so dropped the subject.  “What evil is there on this island?” asked Hercules.

             
The woman smiled and looked Hercules in the eyes.  “None, unless you have brought it yourself.”

             
“You know this entire island?” said Hercules.

             
“Of course,” said the woman.  “For this is my island!  This island is my land, a land unlike any you have ever before seen Hercules!  Come… bring your great white steed and I will show you it!”

             
Hercules was suddenly reminded of Pegasus, who he had accidently left behind.  Hercules then rushed back to find Pegasus and wake him.  The woman followed.  “Who are you and how do you know my name?” asked Hercules to the woman.

             
“I have been waiting for you to come,” said the woman.  “How did I know you were coming you might ask?  Well, I have certain abilities, abilities beyond that of any mortal.  And as for my name, I am called Megara, but you may call me Meg.  Now, come, I have much on this island to show you.  I am sure that you will be quite impressed!”

             
“Where are you taking us?” asked Hercules.

             
“Why, to my palace of course!” she exclaimed.

             
“You are taking us to your palace, but we are going north, into the heavy mountains,” said Hercules.

             
“That is correct,” replied Meg.  “That is where my palace is.  My palace is on the highest peak on this island, called Mount Pantokrator.  The entire island is mine, but my palace garden is only in the north.”

             
Hercules nodded.  “Very well, lead on then!”  Hercules looked back, but noticed that Pegasus didn’t want to follow this woman.  He turned his head away and began walking the other way.  “Come Pegasus!  We must continue onward!”  Pegasus didn’t want to but he knew that he needed to follow Hercules.

             
And so Hercules and Pegasus followed this woman as she moved through the forest towards her palace.  She spoke softly and in a soothing manner.  “This island is very skinny, but long.  After wandering amidst these hills and small mountains you will see my grand palace!”

             
So she led the two north, through the forests, hills, and mountains.

Hercules
had to admit that, so far, he was amazed at this woman.  As she walked nature itself seemed to move aside for her.  Apart from tree trunks (which can’t move with much ease at all), everything else seemed to part for her, as if she were Moses himself.  Hercules thought this was odd.

             
“Tell me, are you a God?” asked Hercules.

             
“No.”

             
“Then why does nature itself move before you?”

             
“You may say that here I am a God—I am the God of this island!” said Meg.  “Indeed, you may say that this place is my prison and palace.  It is my prison because I cannot leave, but it is palace because I never would want to.”

Hercules nodded.  He thought that this was quite intriguing.  He had never been in a place himself that was a prison
and
a palace.  Of course this only added to his curiosity—to his desire to know this woman more.

             
After several more miles of walking up and down hills and valleys they watched as the trees before them seemed to dissipate and what lingered in front of them was a great white gate, at least twelve feet high, surrounded by a wall as far as his eyes could see.  The material appeared to be the same as the material that composed the fountain.

             
“How could we not see this from the sky?” asked Hercules, as he looked at Pegasus.

             
Meg smiled and turned around to face the two of them.  “Because it may only be seen by those who are invited to come.  Before you were not invited, but now you are.”

             
Hercules nodded, although he didn’t know what she meant by this.  Hercules watched as Meg threw her arms up in the air.  A few moments later the gate seemed to magically creak open.

             
“Do not worry my friends,” said Meg.  “I know that you are hungry.  I will soon have a great meal prepared for you, made from my very own garden.”

             
Both Hercules and Pegasus were amazed at what stood before their eyes.  Beyond the wall was a great garden, with fertile trees and bushes scattered across the landscape.  Flowers of all kinds grew up in clumps all along the ground.  Grass grew all around so that no portion of dirt could be seen, although there were many rocks, both small and large.  Then Hercules could see the land slope upwards greatly until he saw, what must be, her palace.  And it was, from what Hercules could see, the most grand of any palace he had ever before laid eyes on.  Because of the upward slope the first floor was held up by columns in the front of the palace that went across the entire building except in the middle where there was a long, wide, white stairway, with each stair at least three feet long.  This stairway led up to the entrance to her palace (although there was no actual door).  What lay inside Hercules was not yet certain.  But he was certain of what lay on top of the first level.  Three more levels of her palace extended upwards into the sky.  All had balconies on at least one side and each level got gradually smaller in diameter than the one below it.