Hercules waited impatiently before the Throne Room of the House of Hades, not yet admitted by the grim attendant standing before the doorway. He watched the torches flickering on the walls and the dark decadence of the Underworld. Athena hovered by his shoulder, unseen and unheard by all around them.

He had not been kept waiting very long but it was the longest time standing still that he'd managed in quite a while. King Eurystheus had set his most talented servant with twelve seemingly impossible labours and although none had proven too much of a challenge to the son of Zeus - who had the assistance of nearly every single divine being except for perhaps Hera - they had certainly kept him occupied.

The first labour had been typical Eurystheus – to destroy the Nemean Lion, which could not be maimed by club, sword, spear or arrow. It had sounded like an impressive task but Hercules had wrestled the enormous creature into its den before breaking its spine with his grip. It had been all over in less than an hour. He'd carried the carcass through the streets of Mycenae, instantly becoming a celebrity. Then, for extra measure, he'd thrown the body of great lion at the king's feet. Eurystheus had nearly wet himself. Zeus had plucked the Nemean Lion from the ground and placed it amongst the stars to commemorate the deed, although it had not been that difficult to begin with.

The second labour proved more taxing – to kill the Hydra of Lerna. Lerna was not a great place to be at the best of times; it was swampland, full of bogs and treacherous forests that oozed with equal parts slime and misfortune. One wrong step and the unwary traveller could be sucked down into a pit until their last gasp. The Hydra had been nesting in this squalid filth for some time, growing heads that breathed out poisonous gas. Of all of its many heads, only one rendered it immortal and to vanquish this giant reptilian he would need to destroy this particular one, otherwise it would just keep growing back twice as many heads until it managed to eat him.

But the matter was simple once he'd thought of it, with Athena's schooling. Hercules took his nephew, Iolaus and instructed the boy to coax a huge fire out of the wood of the swamp. Then as the Hydra attacked, Hercules set it on fire. The burns did not destroy the heads immediately and it became evident that the head in centre of its body was unaffected by flame. He'd found the immortal head.

Iolaus hid at his bidding and Hercules fought to the centre of the burning beast. He sliced the immortal head off and flung it into the fire, where it perished. The body of the behemoth collapsed. Hercules took the liberty of dipping his arrowheads in the poisoned blood of the dead beast on Athena's advice before returning to Mycenae victorious. The idiotic king tried to argue that Hercules hadn't really done this task himself but the people cried out against his words so resolutely that he reluctantly conceded that as the beast was dead, the labour was complete.

Giving up on the idea of killing things for the moment, Eurystheus turned his attentions to things he wanted but could not get for himself. His hankering for the deer of Ceryneia, the titan-turned-deer that Artemis cherished enough to give golden antlers, turned into the longest chase Hercules had ever run. She'd led him across Arcadia, further into the Hyperboreans and back. Finally, he managed to walk up to her as she stood trying to hide and catch her breath back from their extensive race. He slung the exhausted deer over one shoulder and proceeded to hike back towards Mycenae.

He didn't get very far before Artemis appeared before him and demanded to know what he was doing with her cherished companion. Hercules explained that he was just fulfilling the wills of his king and Zeus, that he had no intention of killing the deer and that she would be released soon. Artemis, the huntress of the night, said nothing but vanished with vengeance in her heart against King Eurystheus for his insolence. So Hercules was able to complete the labour and set the deer free.

The fourth labour was also to capture a wild animal, this time the boar of Eurymanthus. There was a scuffle with some centaurs, a crab almost took his big toe off before he crushed it underfoot but eventually Hercules made it in and out with the savage wild boar over his shoulders.

The fifth labour was a joke. It was so simple that Hercules groaned when he heard it issued in the court of Eurystheus. He was required to drive away the birds of Lake Stymphalus, who had been tormenting the people of Arcadia by eating their favourite food – human flesh. Although freaky to look at with the claws of enormous birds and the heads of ferocious women, these creatures of Ares were easily frightened away by Hercules banging his shield and making an alarming loud noise. He taught the people of Arcadia this simple trick and returned to the king, successful as the birds had escaped to the Black Sea to torment anyone who visited there instead.

Maybe Eurystheus wanted to embarrass Hercules with the sixth labour or maybe he was just running out of good ideas. He ordered that Hercules cleanse the stables of Augeias in a single day. These stables housed some of the most extrodinary cattle that King Augeias could breed in the worst conditions ever recorded – the dung in them had piled up over decades.

Hercules travelled to Elis and told King Augeias of the task set before him. The old monarch had laughed.

"If you think you can seriously manage that…" he chortled, red in the face. "Oh, Hercules. It can't be done. It just can't. I'll bet you a tenth of my herds if you pull it off. But I hate to tell you, it just can't be done."

Hercules wasn't amused by the king and took him up on his wager. With Athena whispering gleefully in his ear, he diverted two nearby rivers straight through the stables and led the cattle out of harm's way. In a matter of hours the rushing waters had cleansed the stables and Hercules returned the cattle to their places, fixing anything that had come loose in the deluge.

King Augeias was as bad as his neighbouring king and tried to wriggle free of his bet, saying that it had been cheating to use a river instead of a rake. Hercules just left Elis to return to Mycenae and informed Eurystheus that the task had been completed.

The seventh labour was again to do with Ares's creatures, but this time it was to take the mares of his son, Diomedes. The king of Thrace had inherited his father's bloodthirsty nature along with the mares that ate human flesh. It was the king's custom to feed unwilling strangers to his horses but Hercules, with Athena at his side, was not fooled. He fed the awful king to his own horses then, as they were placid from the recent meal, he tied them and led them back to Eurystheus. King Eurystheus was delighted and bred many fine horses from his store of mares, although he was careful about who he sent to tend to them.

After a while with the Argonauts, Hercules had returned to Mycenae and the king ordered him to fetch the bull of Minos, the same bull King Minos had failed to sacrifice to Poseidon all those years ago. It had been stark raving mad, destroying half the coastline in its fury, ever since the day the Minotaur had been conceived. Hercules merely clubbed at it until it couldn't move before bringing it back and dumping its shattered body at his king's feet.

Perhaps finally figuring out that Ares and the other gods and goddesses were not going to oppose the will of Zeus and strike Hercules down with their animals, Eurystheus decided that the ninth labour would be for Hercules to fetch him the girdle of Queen Hippolyta. This legendary belt was the Queen of the Amazons' most prized possession, for it hung around her waist to tie up her garments for battle. The Amazons themselves were not a gentle bunch either. Hercules ended up killing the Queen in the process but the labour was successful.

Hercules didn't even want to remember the tenth labour. He had travelled so far to find and bring back the cattle of Geryoneus, which was an enormous man-beast with the legs of giant that split into three trunk-like bodies, each with two arms and a head. The number of giants, battles and wrestling matches there and back meant Hercules spent a ridiculous two months of travel. As he was about to return finally victorious, Hera sent a gadfly to annoy the cattle, who had bolted in every direction. It took him two more weeks to gather the frightened animals back together again. Then, just as he was at the very gates of Mycenae with all of the stupid cattle another giant had thrown an enormous boulder his way. Hercules had batted it back with his club, killing Hera's final attempt to make him fail. Eurystheus sacrificed all of the cattle to Hera, while the thoroughly pissed off Hercules watched in silence.

The eleventh labour was a tricky one – bring back Eurystheus a golden apple of the Hesperides. These apples made the famed elixir of immortality and were one of the most well-kept secrets of the immortals. However, Athena knew exactly which being had directions and steered Hercules towards Nereus, the shapeshifting old man of the sea. Nereus had tried his best tricks to get rid of the young son of Zeus but eventually gave in and told him how to enter the garden where they grew.

Over mountain and seas Hercules went, becoming more than a little nervous. The remote island of Hesperides was a wedding gift to Hera when she became the Queen of Queens and the thought of her wrath when he managed to pluck one and escape left him with a cold pit in his stomach. He successfully tricked Atlas into actually pulling off that stunt (with Athena's advice) and sailed away content that perhaps Hera would seek vengeance on the titan instead.

Finally, the twelfth labour had arrived. Eurystheus had longed for Hercules's death over the course of all of his labours and yet there had been no luck. He ordered the son of Zeus to fetch him Cerberus from the Underworld and thus, Hercules had made his way to the gates of Death to seek out Hades himself.

A noise interrupted his musing. He watched the servant dryad bow sharply to the closed doors and they swung open. Hercules waited for the servant to motion that he should enter and stepped smartly into the Throne Room of Hades's House.

Hercules knew many kings and heroes, although he had never yet seen Mount Olympus. He had met many deities although not usually at their seat of power. Hades's realm chilled him, with all the Shades that gathered about, desperate for a taste of the bright life flowing in his veins. In the Throne Room it was high and airy, gothic and solemn as any place of death he'd ever known. But what took his breath away were the figures on high adamantine thrones, waiting for him.

Hades captivated the room. He was a tall and formidable figure, covered in jet-black armour that Hercules had never seen in Zeus's realm before. Bone-white and lean, Hades face was cold and frightening, full of stern intelligence that spoke of unimaginable power. There was a huge broadsword at his hip, sheathed away that Hercules was impressed he could wield. There were more weapons partially concealed in his breastplate, along the edges of his belt. Hades watched Hercules from on high with absolutely no expression, seated perfectly on the throne of his power.

Queen Persephone was very much the same. She appeared aloof, intelligent and settled in the seat of her power. Her back was as straight as her husband's; her eyes were dark and watchful. She seemed to have no weapons, just a becoming dress and a sharp pin in the shape of a pomegranate in her hair. She was obviously quite pregnant.

Hercules swallowed.

"You may approach the King and Queen of the Underworld, son of Zeus," a crier announced. Hercules continued forward and knelt on one knee.

"You have a request."

Hades's voice was like the whisper of ice as it sliced through a winter wind. But it did not sound either accusatory or angry, for which Hercules was grateful.

"I am following the will of my father, your brother Zeus, my Lord." Hercules swallowed again. "The King Eurystheus requested of me twelve labours, to prove my worth as a servant and as his nephew. I have been ordered to return to Mycenae with Cerberus, my Lord. I am requesting to borrow him for a time."

There was silence.

"Many of the dead have returned with tales of your exploits, Hercules," Hades murmured. "You have slain many wild beasts."

"I vow not to harm Cerberus, my Lord," Hercules stated, head still down at the ground.

"My concern is not with the line of the dead entering my realm at your hands," Hades corrected him. "My concern lies with your other doings. You have interfered with Death."

Hercules chanced a glance upwards. Behind Hades's shoulder, behind his throne, Hercules saw the edge of a shape forming, holding a scythe high that gleamed in the half-life. Monochrome flickered around the space; the air seemed to murmur a warning of shivers and eternal rest. Thanatos was there.

"I have erred, my Lord," Hercules admitted. He had wrestled Death away from the wife of his friend so that she might not be taken from him. Death had still been weak from being stuck in a bag for a period of time and had been pushed away from its rightful target. Alcestis had lived.

"Hercules," Hades commanded. "If you vow firstly to not injure or maim Cerberus in any way and to move with all haste to complete your labour and if you vow secondly never to interfere with Thanatos's work hence, I will grant your request."

Hercules swore to both of these conditions without hesitation.

"But you have not achieved any of these great feats by yourself," Hades added. "Show yourself, Athena. There is no need for concealment in my realm."

Hercules heard the goddess of wisdom sigh and then Athena was beside him, standing tall in full armour. She was very bright, dressed all in silver and iron in the darkness. He'd seen her many times before but he peeked at the goddess once more, trying to gauge her expression. Athena was slim in build and had beautiful armour built for speed and silence. At her back was the shield of Aegis, mounted with Medusa's horrifying face. She raised her helmet and vanished it, staring at Hades with no sign of contempt on her face. Athena had inherited her father's eyes – the colour of grey clouds high in the heavens, brimming with an oncoming storm. She had beauty but it was the kind that you stayed away from, certain that she was both deadly and could run rings around anyone with sheer intellect alone.

But she'd been outwitted by Hades, it seemed.

"Clever of you to see me," Athena addressed the king with a quick bow of her head to acknowledge him. "How did I fare?"

"You were evident the second you crossed my threshold, Athena," Hades sighed. "I know divine powers. It shines as clear as day."

"You shimmer," Persephone added with a smile. "Against all of the shadows. And who else would find clever ways for this hero to complete his tasks?"

Athena didn't speak. She gave a kind of half-shrug at the compliment and filed the knowledge away.

Hades stood and stared at the hero far below him.

"Be wary, young nephew," he spoke so quietly that it was almost a whisper. "Cerberus is trained to destroy lives. I will command him not to whilst he is touched by your hand but you must be on your guard at all times. Athena must stay at your side while he is with you. It is a great risk to both realms, this foolish labour."

"I understand my Lord."

Athena nodded to show that she too understood what her uncle was saying. If Cerberus broke free he would decimate the world with his order to destroy life until he could be contained. It was a risk to let him roam in the light of Zeus's realm.

The buzz of servants' chatter rung around the room for an instant before Persephone gave a polite cough and it vanished.

"You may both leave us," Hades told Hercules. "Cerberus is by the Gates, awaiting you."

Hercules felt a whisper of hatred from Thanatos and made a hasty exit. Athena flickered out of his sight when they left the Throne Room, her helm at her head once more. The servants guided him back out and into a boat to return him to the front door. He was about to step on board when he heard a familiar shout behind him.

"Hercules! The gods and goddesses! Hercules!"

"Theseus?" Hercules craned around, searching for the cries.

"Over there," Athena told him and he saw it.

It was a long, golden table, the type they use for royal ceremonies. There were two high-backed chairs seated at the far end, close together. On one of these sat Theseus, accompanied by a man Hercules didn't know by sight.

Hercules trudged over the sandy shore towards his friend.

"What is this?" he asked Athena.

"Punishment," she told him. "See how their skin is fused to those chairs? They are not permitted to move."

Hercules staggered over to Theseus's side and grasped his hand.

"Free me, please Hercules," Theseus begged. "Death hovers by Perithous's shoulder because he is mortal but I am demi-god and… If your strength can't get me out of here… I can't…"

Theseus was actually sobbing. The man who had taken down the Minotaur was weeping like a child. It hurt Hercules that a brave warrior could be so undone.

Athena touched his shoulder.

"You cannot interfere with death," she warned him but Hercules knew. If he chose to act, he could only save Theseus and not the mortal marked for death. He grasped Theseus under the man's armpits and pulled.

There was a scream that seemed to go on forever while he pulled, Theseus writhed in his arms and blood poured. But Hercules was successful – he was out of the chair. Athena gave Theseus the means to staunch his wounds. Perithous gasped and moaned.

"Don't… Don't touch me!" he screamed. "Get away! Get away!"

Hercules did as he was bid, picking up the bleeding Theseus and carrying him away from the ghastly table. Perithous was left to wait for Death's gentle hand.

"What… What… What are you doing here?" gibbered the poor Theseus. He was shaking so violently that the sweat on his forehead went everywhere and dripped into the sand.

Hercules didn't reply. He made a crutch for his friend from driftwood and then made his way to the great guard dog of the Underworld, to secure Cerberus and his freedom from the tasks he'd been set.

The twelfth labour.

Almost complete.