The God of Olympus (3 page)

However, his duty as shepherd was not an eternal duty and did not keep him entirely isolated from the world.
At times he would need to travel into the nearby village for supplies and when he entered the village he was beginning to see life as it really was, away from his sheltered life.

Eventually the time had come that Amphitryon and Alcmene both dreaded and waited for their entire lives—the time of Hercules’ departure.
 

You see, t
hey had begun to see signs of this hero’s life with them coming to a close. Hercules began to spend much more time outside among the sheep, thinking, pondering, and reading the book of the Gods.

Now Hercules was a grown man, a man of almost thirty years of age.  He was not overly muscular or buff, did not appear to be weak or malnourished.  He had dark blonde hair that sunk to his shoulders and his skin was a light tan.  He sported a rugged, but somehow appealing and handsome complexion.

“His head is in the clouds!” exclaimed Alcmene, as she stared out at Hercules.

“Yes, indeed,” replied Amphitryon.
“The boy is now a man.  He does not desire to make a home on earth.  Instead, his deep desire is for the heavens and we no longer have any right to keep him here, away from his eternal destiny.”

“But what will we do without him?” asked Alcmene.
“He has grown so close to our hearts.”

“We knew that this day would eventually come,” replied Amphitryon.
“Let me speak with him darling.”

Although Amphitryon and Alcmene had grown to love Hercules with every fiber of their soul, they knew that the time had come
that Hercules needed to leave.

There, on the hill overlooking their
home, Amphitryon spoke soothing, but nevertheless difficult words to his son: “Hercules, I have seen the heavens stirring and have also seen the stirring within your own heart. It is this type of stirring that you must not hold within you, for if you do you will never realize your true potential and will never save this world or the many other worlds that you need to save.”

“I don’t know what I am supposed to do,” said Hercules.
“Everything is confusing. For so long I have lived with the idea that this life is the life for me, that these fields and hills were all I was to live for. But now I am not so sure. I don’t know where I fit in in this world.  I feel somehow like I need more.”

“Look Hercules,” said Amphitryon, placing his arms around Hercules’ shoulder.
“We all find our place in the universe at one time or another, but some find it faster than others.”

“But father, I cannot leave you,” said Hercules.
“What will you do without me here tending the flocks?”

“Your mother and I will manage,” replied Amphitryon.
Amphitryon paused and beckoned him to look over the Greek countryside. “You see the land out there, out there in the real world. It is a land of tall mountains and deep valleys. It is a land that is sometimes rocky and dry, but in other times is lush and full of groves and grapevines. When people first came to this land they were simple shepherds, farmers, and fishermen, much like you and I. They were simple workers of the field, and above all they were very humble and virtuous. But as time passed these humble people began moving to big cities and what they created was indeed grand and glorious. However, these people became corrupted. They lost the virtue they once possessed. They need someone to help them—they need a hero. Look Hercules, it is my will that you stay, but it is my command that you leave, for far too long has your heart secretly been set on the things not of this world; for too long has your mind delved deep into that book—the book of the Gods. You see, once the mantle of the hero falls upon us we must act upon those impulses.”

“But what am I supposed to do?” asked Hercules.
“Where should I go? I don’t even know where to begin.”

“Perhaps you should look in the book.
You were given that book for a reason and it wasn’t just to fill your imagination with vain images and ideas. Childish fantasies they may seem to be to most people, but it is often these childlike fantasies that erupt into vivid and powerful realities. Hercules, we know your destiny and we can no longer take you away from it.”

Hercules prepared himself to depart with his old lion skin as the only extra covering besides his clothes, as well as a small leather side pack filled with food and water.
After a few tender moments of love Hercules bid farewell to his parents, for after this he was off, off into the world he had, for so long, not known.

He knew where he had to look.
The map in his book gave him the clue. He would go from the beginning of the book to the end, visiting all the various Gods for an answer to his questions. He could go days without eating, drinking, or resting, for physical needs were not important to Hercules now. Instead, his drive was coming from something deeper—a drive to discover his true identity and place in the universe.

Hercules traveled first to the great Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, love, and desire.
He found that she lived in a great palace to the north of Greece. The palace was lush and green and surrounded by roses. Doves were fluttering around her.  She had long blonde hair and was arrayed in a beautiful red dress. Hercules found that Aphrodite was beautiful and kind, but had little additional knowledge to give him. Instead she merely said, “I know little of this world, for I rarely deal with it. Perhaps, my child, you may visit Apollo. He occasionally visits this world. Perhaps he will know.”

So Hercules left the God’s great palace and went to visit Apollo in the heart of Athens where he was discussing many profound things with the philosophers there.
However, Apollo didn’t know either, but told him to visit another God—Athena. And so he did this travelling abroad looking for answers—answers to the most simple but vital questions.

He visited Dionysus, who told him to ask Demeter, who told him to ask A
rtemis, who told him to go to the eastern sea and speak with Poseidon, the great God of the sea. Hercules obeyed.

Once Hercules reached the sea he yelled
, “Poseidon, great God of the Sea! Come forth from the great waters!”

Hercules waited a moment and watched as the waves began to grow more intense.
Then suddenly the waves in front of him parted as the massive man of the sea came forth from the water on the land and addressed young Hercules.

Hercules was astounded at Poseidon for he carried a sharp, gold trident, and he was arrayed in a blue-green robe.  He appeared very buff and had a long black beard. 
“What mortal dares command me?”

“My name is Hercules, great God!
I come with questions that Artemis said that you may answer! O great Poseidon! Who am I? And who are my parents?”

For several moments Poseidon was silent and bore a look of sternness and anger.
But then his expression changed. He seemed less intimating and more loving. Suddenly Poseidon extended his massive trident down to the boy and tapped him in the chest with it, causing him to fall down. “My eyes do not deceive me!” he explained in a voice that sounded very much like Santa Clause. “You, my friend, certainly are Hercules, son of great Zeus and Hera, Gods of all!”

Hercules was silent
and in shock. He had no idea who he was before this and to hear from a God that he was the son of Zeus and Hera, the Gods he had read about so much during his life, was quite shocking. He pulled out his book and turned the page to the Gods on the final page, great Zeus and lovely Hera. He then lifted up his eyes. “You must be mistaken, for I cannot be their son. I am a mere mortal! I have not eyes to see or understand heavenly things!”

Poseidon shook his head and raised his arms which caused the behind and around him to propel high into
the air. “No, my young friend, you are indeed Hercules. Although I have not seen you since you were a child I would never mistake your eyes, for they are your mother’s eyes, and your firm, strong body, that is much like your father’s. No I would not be mistaken about you child!”

“But if it is true,” said Hercules, “then why was I here
on earth? Did they not want me? Did they not care where I went?”

“Those are all good questions but questions that I cannot answer,” said Poseidon firmly.
“I am afraid that only Zeus can answer those questions for you.”

“But where is he?
Where is Zeus now?”

Poseidon then pointed towards the north-west with his massive trident. 
“He is where he has been since the time of your birth—on Mount Olympus, the tallest mountain in Greece and the most difficult to climb. Indeed, it is a mountain of Gods!”

Hercules paused and looked down at his map where he immediately saw it—the grand mountain of Olympus!

“Why is Zeus not in his temple?” asked Hercules.

Poseidon suddenly laughed, causing water to fling everywhere around him.
“You silly child, Zeus dwells not in temples made with mortal hands! No, to find him and get answers to your questions you must make the long and cold climb up that snow-filled mountain. Only then will you get answers to the questions you seek.  Good luck son of Zeus and Hera!”

Hercules nodded, thanked the great Poseidon, and watched as he moved back down into the water.
  After the water had calmed he looked up to the north-west and took a deep breathe.  He knew that he would soon begin the great journey to the mountain of the Gods.

Chapter 2: Mount Olympus

The great mountain of Olympus was known by mortals as a holy mountain, but little about the mountain was actually known.  High the mountain lingered, in the north-eastern part of Greece, surrounded by miles upon miles of highly dangerous snow-covered mountains.  Legend had it that no man had actually reached Mount Olympus alive, let alone returned to tell the tale.  However, by now rumor had spread about this mysterious mountain—that magical lights issued forth from it.

Hercules was not concerned with how difficult and rigorous the journey to that dastardly mountain would be.  No, instead Hercules hoped and prayed that his journey would not be in vain—that he would find an answer that he knew only Zeus could answer.

So Hercules nobly and quickly made the terrible journey through the jagged icy mountains, through the snowstorm with only
his torn tunic and lion skin attached.  Although this would kill an ordinary man, Hercules was no ordinary man.

When his journey was finally complete and he had reached the very top of Mount Olympus, high above the clouds, he looked up into the dark, icy sky and yelled, “Zeus, I Hercules, your son, now call upon you!  Will you please answer my plea?”

There was suddenly a weird feeling gathering all around him. It was a type of warm chill, a feeling that felt quite different than anything he had ever before felt.  It filled his soul with comfort, but also fear.  In his mind he was wondering what malice of the air had caused it, but then suddenly he knew.  It was Zeus.

Hercules waited for a few moments and suddenly watched as lightning bolts fired down from the heavens, shaking the ground on which he stood terribly.  Then it seemed as if a tormenting tornado of snow and sleet blew all around him.
  Hercules ducked down to the ground, put his head down, and placed his arms around his eyes to shield him from the elements.  In a few minutes, to his great surprise, the tornado had made a tall and thick shaft of ice all around him.  Hercules suddenly felt dignified, as if the skies in the heavens had heard his prayer.  All around him there was a soothing silence and peace.  Hercules walked around in this small circle no larger than fifteen feet in diameter.  He pressed his hands against the wall of ice and sleet, but it did not feel cold.  Instead, it felt like smooth glass.

Hercules suddenly heard a cracking s
ound, like rock splitting in two, and he looked back to see a bright being. The man stood erect in the center of the circle. He was relatively large and muscular, although by no means as large or muscular as he would have supposed for a god.  He stood there dressed in a bright, spotless white robe. His hair was long and white.  For a long period of time Hercules couldn’t stand to look up at the man because his being emanated so great brightness.

“Who are you?” asked Hercules.

“Do you not recognize me?” asked the man in a deep voice. “Why I am disappointed, for I am none other than your father Zeus. You have come all this way to talk with me, have you not? You have journeyed long and now need the guidance that I can provide you. Please, speak!”

Hercules nodded, although he didn’t really feel so comfortable now in speaking to such an intimidating being—the most powerful God he had ever encountered.
He kept his body leaned up against the ice wall and began to speak.  As he spoke Zeus’ brightness seemed to calm so that he could see his father’s face—now solemn and kind.

Hercules t
rembled, but managed to speak: “Father…I seek an answer as to who I am!  I desire to know my history…I desire to know why I am here and what I must do to be with you again!”

“Ha!” laughed Zeus so loud that Hercules thought that all the ice around him would crumble.  “You have asked brilliant questions!  You are no doubt prepared for what you must do and know.”  Then Zeus began to spea
k comforting words to Hercules.  He told Hercules about the Great War in the heavens before he was born: “You see, Hercules, we loved you, but for these long years have been forced to be apart from you because you were made mortal. Into you we placed our hope to win both the war on earth and the war in heaven. Your mother and I bet everything on you, as we poured our God power into you son.  Our own righteousness is the only thing that keeps us here.”

“
But where have you been all my life father?  Couldn’t you at least visit and help all the people here on this world? People here think you have abandoned them and have lost much hope.”

Zeus sighed.
“Why do mortals think that simply because they cannot see us or our workings that we do not care about them? Do they not think in their finite, weak minds that perhaps there is another reason they do not see, a reason far deeper than they would ever suppose? My dear Hercules, you see the reason I am here is because I
must
be!  You see Hercules, when your mother and I poured our God-power into you we made ourselves subject to death by Hades’ hand.  The only place that Hades cannot come and destroy us is on and above this place, Mount Olympus.  So you see Hercules, I must remain here, for were I to leave I would be subject to the power of Hades and could die. My boy, this is the only place in the universe that is safe from the corruption of Hades and from the eyes of all evil…”

“But how do you have power here?” asked Hercules.
“You had power to cause a tornado to appear and solidify the snow and ice into a solid ice wall.”

“Yes,” replied Zeus.
“But we, your mother and I, have power only here on Mount Olympus where all things are powerful and protected.”

“But I don’t understand?” asked Hercules.
“Why do all this for me? Why place the future of this world in the hands of one weak man?”

“Because we believe in you, your mother and I,” said Zeus.
“Above all we love you, and believe me when I say that your mother would be here now if it were not for her great heart. You see, she loves you so much that she couldn’t bear to see you for only a moment. The pain of leaving you would be too great.”

Hercules suddenly fell to his knees
on the icy ground. “Oh woe that I was brought into this mortal world!” exclaimed Hercules. “Woe that I was to live here while all my heavenly brothers are at home in their heavenly homes!  Woe that I do not get to truly know my heavenly parents! Oh am I the cursed one!”

Zeus suddenly walked over to Hercules and placed his hand on his shoulders. 
“You are not cursed!” said Zeus. “And I would not have you speak this way. What happened to you cannot be undone, nor was it meant to be. All things in life pass for a reason and there is a reason why you are here. There is only one chief trial for a God such as Hera and I, and that is that we should watch while mortals suffer! You see, Hercules, what humans strive for, such as power or prestige is not what a God strives for! With one hurl of my lightning bolt I could have people bow down to me. I could have everyone across the entire world, and not just Greece, worshiping and praising my name! But that is not what being a God is about Hercules. Being a God is about being much more. It is about more than your mother and I. Once you become a God Hercules, you will realize that everything is not about yourself, but about others. Do you not see Hercules? What we really care about, at least in relation to the mortal world, is that, at least in the end, good triumphs over evil. That is what all of our workings in the world are for. So, yes, time ahead may be of great trial and tribulation, but they will be times, nevertheless of great hope.  You see, once you have progressed to the status of Godhood humans are, more often than not, mere tokens of weakness, ignorance, strife, and corruption. But humans still teach me much. They teach me of love and dependence on virtues that Gods so often forget. As Gods, we do not need to toil the land to survive, nor do we need to woo someone to be our partner. Your time of mortal strife is but a short one, but one filled with potential unimaginable.  Now you must know Hercules that this world needs your help just as much as we do. Perhaps this is why you are here—to understand what it is like to be human and to learn to embrace it, to learn how to help these weak mortals in a way that your mother and I never could. Hades, above all, seeks to control all the poor souls who live on this world, and for a long time, while the war in the heavens has ceased, he has been working iniquity on this mortal world, iniquity outside of anything that I can control. Your mother and I, being trapped on Mount Olympus, have, for a long time, looked down on the mortals of this wretched world. And what do we behold but suffering innumerable! Souls cry up to us from the dust of the earth but we cannot heal them! Our fate and thus the fate of the universe is bound to you Hercules. Should you fail all will come to naught. Should you fail the stars will cease to shine! Should you fail Hades will take over and all will come to naught!”

Hercules sighed and stared up into the eyes of the bright being.
“What would have me do father?”

“Hercules in order to vanquish all evil and stop Hades you must make yourself more than a man.
You must make yourself a true hero!”

Hercules stood there puzzled.
  He hoped for some simple and clear task, but this he did not get. “But how am I to be a true hero?”

“Only you can know!” exclaimed Zeus.
“But to begin this process you must seek out Philoctetes, the trainer of heroes. Philotetes now dwells on the Island of Lemnos.  He will tell you more.”

“
But how am I to get there?” asked Hercules.  “I cannot cross a sea!”

“Pegasus will take you!” said Zeus. 
Hercules wondered who Pegasus was until suddenly he knew. Around him the ice wall shattered and a noble, white, winged beast that looked much like a horse burst onto the mountain top. “Consider this our gift to you, a young stallion worthy for even the greatest of kings—Pegasus, the noblest steed ever created.  I made him long ago, before my God-power was taken from me, just after you were born.  He was to be our great gift for you.  He is made out of the only material here that I can make him out of here on Mount Olympus—cloud, snow, ice, and of course, a little magic. As such, he is pure white. He has the strength of an ox, the beauty of a bird, and the swiftness of a horse. Like you he can endure any nearly any element he is brought against. In addition, he can endure any kind of weather, from the coldest to the warmest. Indeed, you may say that he is a stallion worthy of a true hero—worthy of you.  And he is bound to you and will be near you at all times you need him.”

Hercules fou
nd Pegasus to be remarkable and they bonded almost instantly.  The great creature lifted himself up so he was on both hind legs and opened his wings.  They were at least twenty feet wide when spread out fully.  His feathers and skin were soft, like that of the softest pillow.

The great steed
finally descended, stared into Hercules’ eyes, and smiled. Hercules patted his head, which was very soft. “Pegasus will direct you to where you must go! So go now my son.  Go to Philoctetes. And look to your heart for guidance, for you will need it!”

Hercules saw Zeus turn around and begin to walk away from him.
However, suddenly he stopped and looked back at Hercules, this time with a much more tender look about him, much less like a strict God, and more like loving teddy bear. “Always remember Hercules that your real home, your true home, is not on this earth. Instead, your true home is up in heaven with your mother and I…but there are just some things you must do to get there.”

Hercules then watched as Zeus suddenly disappeared in a pillar of light into the heavens above.
He then looked at Pegasus, and spoke soft words, “Pegasus, will you ride with me to Philoctetes?”

Pegasus smiled and leapt up into air gleefully like a happy child.
Hercules smiled as well. He got up onto Pegasus, extended his massive white wings, and lifted them up off the mountain into the depths below. Meanwhile, one of Hades’ dark winged spies saw Hercules and Pegasus and flew out of his mountainous cave towards Hades’ dark abode, where he would quickly find Hades and alert him to this new development.