Legend of Keys: Huntik's Adventure In Paradise

Part IV: Heracles

Apollon to tell them everything he  knows about the Zodiacs. Every detail he has. Hercules laughs. " Well cometh  sitteth  around.  This  is  going  to  beest  a  long  night." ( Well come sit around. This is going to be a long night)

Apollon attempts to translate ancient mage talk for the group.

When Heracles awoke, he described that he was not in control of this body, as if he were just a bystander. Others were lying around the room being worked on a pentagram. Magic symbols were being written on their body. He described it as a ritual in which the user gains power and magic by channeling the souls of previous mages.

He saw 17 mages performing a chant. Each of them having a glowing number, tattooed on a part of their bodies. When everyone woke up they explained a plan of peace. They would spread them across mythos to help weaken the great realms. Prop up certain political and important events to get closer to their plan of  unifying all mages. similiar to  the time of the deities. The 17 mages were separated into pairs to oversee realms. For this body, it was a warlock who used Heracles soul under the command of a warlock named Scorpio and a witch named Libra.

Scorpio had the number 11 on his hip. A blood thirsty face that got Hercules so mad he wanted to bash his head in. Also  a witch named Libra, who had a  tattoo of the number 10 glowing on her lower back. Something was extremely off about her. She gave off two mana signatures instead of one. Everyone seems to avoid. Whoever controls his soul was hired to reke havoc in paradise and gain wealth for the Zodiac organization.

Lycaon asks if he's Heracles of the 12 labours. Hercules laughs, " thee might not but has't hath heard me from a sleep chamber timeth st'ries.  St'ries of mine own temp'r.  Aye, i wast a legendary warri'r.  The pride and shame of the p'rseus line."

(you must have heard me from a bed time stories. Stories of my temper. Yes, I was a legendary warrior. The pride and shame of the Perseus line)

Lycaon asks did he really massacre his first family out of rage. Heracles ask if he thinks he did. Lycaon shrugs. "I have no idea. I doubt that it matters to you whether or not we believe. That is why I asked."

Heracles slowly nods his head. *"Many lands believe that it was rage, a curse, or even drunkenness caused me to commit such a heinous act. My house had been ransacked, and a large monstrous creature was lounging at me. I slaughtered them in a fit of rage, none could have fled. I wiped the blood from my eyes. I noticed what I've done . When the town heard what I'd done.  I was apprehended by soldiers and taken to my cowardice cousin, King Eurystheus, who bargained that if I did 12 labors, I would be free to live on the outskirts of the coven (tribe).I took it to spare the lives of the soldiers that have to detain me. The magical barrier that now binds me is far more advanced than what they had me in when I was alive.

I completed all 12 labors, but only with rage, vergence, and guilt. I've lost many people I care about along the way. After discovering my newfound freedom, I join the Argonauts. I discovered new adventures and love.

Hylas, my water bearer and lover, drowned in a river by some witches. They had vanished before I could exact vegence. I ran into another warlock named

Sastros Haphasestus. He was assisting in the construction of infrastructure around the river lands.During a large argument on whether he should come with me or if I should stay. My rage turn into thunderous yells. Toppling the building onto us.

Polystratus Haphasestus,  he fought in a war against a river coven that I was assisting My rage is a haunting curse that blinds me. I cut my hair as a sign to give up battle and settle down.

I kill Eurytus Hermes' son somewhere along the line through a fit of rage, which leads me to be enslaved and sold by the chieftess of the Hermes cult (clan) to an unnamed river coven (Tribe) led by the stunning Omphale Poctolus. She freed me and gave birth to my two sons. IWhich didn't go well politically. She left me and I never saw her again. It isn't the first time I messed with a Royal line. Thespius Jupiter was a Chief that knew was losing power as his 50 daughters grew to age. Don't ask how that man have 50 daughters. I'm as clueless as you. After I slayed the nemuin lion. I was in bed with all 50 of the witches. I  impregnated each of them . The oldest daughter that bore a girl first will immediately take his throne. Serves him right"*  *apollon translating*

Everyone was repulsed. Flora politely requests that the details be withheld from her. Heracles laughs. "Aye, young maiden.  Deianira asclepius dionysus wast mine own previous jointress.  We hadst sev'ral children.  Iol eos, a pow'rful beldams, arriv'd in town one day.  Iol didn't liketh mine own charm, so in a fiteth of rage, i kidnapp'd h'r.  In an act of justice, mine own jointress did spray hydra poison on mine own robes.  I ranneth outside, screaming in agony and insanity.  Only to smiteth myself to death by accident.  Yond's mine own life. I'm a h'ro, a monst'r, a mage,  and whatev'r oth'rs bethink of me "

(Yes, young maiden. Deianira Asclepius Dionysus was my previous wife. We had several children. Iol Eos, a powerful witch, arrived in town one day. Iol didn't like my charm, so in a fit of rage, I kidnapped her. In an act of justice, my wife sprayed hydra poison on my clothes. I ran outside, screaming in agony and insanity. Only to smite myself to death by accident. That's my life.  I'm a hero, a monster, a mage,  and whatever others think of me.)

Lycaon smile." You are right. You are just a mage. Who met the fate of justice." 

Everyone remain silent but Fauna laughed so hard it echoed  Hercules looked mad, but he fell into a laugh after.

Heracles' face was etched with a smile. "I'll giveth thee this bef're i wend.  Especially thee, brat with yellow hair.  Alloweth thy emotions fuel thee not guideth thee.  Or thee'll loseth ev'rything liketh i didst."

(I'll give you this before I go. Especially you, brat with yellow hair. Let your emotions fuel you not guide you. Or you'll lose everything like I did.)

Apollon nods his head in agreement. Flora and Lycaon thank him for his kind words.

Hercules extended his hand to shake Lycaon's. Hercules smiles with relief. *"I'm not sure what you're saying. I suppose it's time for me to leave. I hope the best for all of you."*

The soul of Hercules floats nakedly out of the body  in a gleaming light. He was a muscular man with a wavy beard and hair. Everyone averted their gaze awkwardly. He floats away, leaving behind a lifeless gray rotten body.

Everyone rushes out and locked the cell door. Flora was on the verge of puking. Fauna and Lycaon assist her in ascending the stairs for a better place to vomit. Apollon examines other cells. The bodies of Perseus and Andromeda cells were the same. Nile and Khione were so disgusted that they rushed after to puke.

Twilight looks at Helios, who is frozen, and Apollon, who is terrified. Apollon sees flashes of his parents after the blazing flames consume them, reduced to ashes. Twilight warns them to hurry or they'll be caught.