The twelve labors of a Hiccup
11: The Apples of the Hesperides
12: Cerberus
Hiccups POV:
It has been two weeks since I got back from my fight with Geryon and life has been pretty normal with me helping Aetes in the forge, children wanting me to tell them of my adventures and avoiding the girls who are after me but fortunately Maelstrom kept the girls at bay. I was enjoying life here in Greece but I did miss my home and all my other dragons and animals but still it was like there was something keeping me here in Greece as if it's some sort of unfinished job I have to do. I just don't know what it is and it keeps bothering me. There's also the weirdest thing that happened when I decided to try leave Scaulder just stopped when we were leaving Greek waters as if something was in his way or holding him back. Then this huge storm came out of nowhere and began heading our way. It was if the very Gods didn't want me to leave Greece yet so I was stuck in Greece for the time being. I just hoped I'd be able to leave soon.
Currently I was laying on the grass in one of the parks the city had with my hands behind my head and Maelstrom resting his heads on my lap. I closed my eyes and let the clouds fly by as the sun shone its light on me but it was making me wonder when I would be able to go home to Berk. It was then that a shadow landed over my face and Maelstrom began to growl meaning it could only be one person. Daphne was the daughter of the richest nobleman who offered me the marriage contract with the large fortune and one of the only girls who was not scared off by Maelstrom but that didn't mean he liked her. She was the daughter of one of the high up and wealthiest men of Athens so she was able to afford more than just a few luxuries like the white silk peplos she wore which as always when I'm around was draped over just one shoulder showing a bit more skin. Her long blonde hair was curled around her exposed shoulder and kept in place by a golden band and around her neck was a ruby encrusted gold necklace along with some gold bracelets on her arms. Everything about her just screamed wealth and power but unfortunately for me all her wealth and fathers power it made her seek out a husband who has power, strength, fame and is hailed as a hero throughout Greece. At least that's what Aetes told me when I talked to him about it after he was done laughing about my lady problems. He also told me her father was an occasional customer of the forge when I wasn't around wanting to know about me and what adventure I had gone on this time and when I should be back. Eventually Aetes got so tired of it that he told him that if he wanted answers he would have to buy something. It actually did a world of good for business since he bought more than a few things and was quickly becoming one of the forges best customers.I let out an annoyed sigh before I propped myself up on my elbows and put on my best polite smile and said.
"Hello Daphne and what can I do for you?" She smiled at me.
"Hello Heracles. I was just out for a stroll and saw you and decided to come by and see how you are. I was also hoping you could tell me about your last adventure where you got that magnificent beast." She finished while gesturing to Maelstrom with her hands. I mentally rolled my eyes and said in my head. 'More like a chance to flirt with me.' I sighed as I rubbed my hand through my hair as I said.
"Alright just let me stand up." Before I could get up though she kneeled down and put a hand on my shoulder stopping me.
"No! Please feel free to stay down on the grass and you can lay down while using my lap as a pillow for your head."
Before I could turn down her offer she had got down on her knees and had pulled my upper torso down laying my head down on her lap. She then kept her hands on my shoulders to hold me in place so I couldn't get up and I know this to be true because when I tried she gently pushed me back down before she said.
"Please Heracles just lay back and relax while you tell the tale." She then gently ran a hand gently through my hair and said. "It is the least a hero of Greece deserves."
I had to admit it was comfortable and there was no use in resisting since if I did it she would only try harder to get my attention later. At least this way I was a little more comfortable but that didn't mean Maelstrom liked it since he kept glaring at her with both of his heads.
1 hour later
I was finally able to get away from Daphne after I told her about how I found Maelstrom and defeated Geryon. I admit at first she told me I should stay and relax a bit more with my head in her lap. Fortunately she believed me when I told her I had to go back to the forge to help Aetes. She told me she was sure Aetes could handle the forge himself for a few more hours but I kept saying he needed me till she let me go. Before I left though she told me I was welcome to rest my head in her lap anytime I just needed some time to relax. I just made my way back to the forge where I prayed to every Norse, Mayan, Egyptian and Greek god I knew that Aetes had some work for me so Daphne or any other girls try to get to me.
When I arrived I saw Aetes looking over a sword, which I could tell he just finished making but when he saw me he put it down, and smiled at me before he put it down. He looked at me with a knowing smile before he said.
"Let me guess. Daphne again?" I cocked an eyebrow.
"How'd you know?" He just chuckled.
"I just know you well enough to recognize that look on your face. I'm guessing she finally got a bit of your attention." I just rolled my eyes.
"She caught me by surprise and was able to pull my head into her lap. She wouldn't let me get up until I told her how Maelstrom came to be with me."
"Ever the ladies' man Heracles."
"I just can't shake them off. Every time I do they come back with more force."
"Sounds like Ladon!" I turned to him.
"Who?" He chuckled and replied. "The dragon that is said to guard the apples of Hesperides. Very vicious creature that is said to be more ferocious than Cerberus and have ninety-seven more heads." As soon as he said dragon my interest was piqued.
"So there's a one-hundred headed dragon guarding a garden of the gods somewhere in Greece?" Aetes shrugged.
"Yes there is according to legend."
"If there's one thing I've learned in my time in Greece. It's that legends have a habit of coming to life in these lands." He chuckled.
"True. You know what why don't you go on an adventure for the garden. It'll at least get you away from the girls of Athens for a while." I looked down at Maelstrom before I kneeled down next to him and started scratching his back.
"Aetes I admit this has peeked my interest but if I did go I wouldn't know where to start." It was then a gravelly voice from outside the service window said.
"Perhaps I could be of assistance with where to start." Aetes and me turned to the window and saw a cloaked figure with a hood looking at us. "I will be awaiting you in the nearby forest at sunset should you wish to have my help." I looked at him with a cocked eyebrow.
"How do I know I can trust you?" He just chuckled.
"I'm sure the mighty Heracles could take me down easily should I betray him. It's all up to you in the end." Before he walked away into the crowd and slowly disappeared. I turned to Aetes hoping for some advice but he just shrugged and said.
"Up to you Heracles. Just be careful. There's something off about that man but I can't put my finger on it." I just gave him a nod before we got to work on forging new weapons but my mind kept drifting to that stranger.
Sundown
The time for me to meet this stranger had finally come but to be safe I had Toothless fly overhead and blending in with the dark sky so should I need either help or to escape. As I reached the forest I looked around but saw nobody there so I leaned against a tree to relax but kept my hand on my sword just in case of trouble. It was at that moment that I heard someone approaching me from behind. I turned around and saw the man from earlier smiling at me before he said.
"I'm glad you came Heracles." I just nodded.
"You said you knew where I could start with this adventure of mine."
"Your journey can begin but first you must travel to Illyria. There somewhere in the forest you will find a man named Nereus but he will do his best to escape you to avoid telling you the location of the apples so when you get a hold of him don't let go no matter what." I nodded taking in this information.
"How do I know I can trust you?" I saw him smile.
"It is not in my kinds nature to lie." Before he let his cloak fall to the ground showing he had the legs and horns of a goat. I was surprised by this but I've seen stranger things here in Greece. He bowed to me. "I am Leneus of the forest. I have heard a great deal about you Heracles." I was a bit confused to why he was helping me.
"So why do you want to help me."
"I have heard a great deal of your adventures and know that they will turn into legends but the thing that amazes me the most out of your tails is how your kindness. Women throw themselves at you yet you turn them down to spare them the pains of a broken heart and when you are offered rewards for your deeds you do your best to turn them down. How could I not wish to help such a kind soul." I just nodded before he handed me a map. "In this map is the location of the forest you can find Nereus but finding him in the forest is up to you." I thanked him and he wished me luck since I had a challenging journey ahead of me. I then left for my ship so I could start planning a course for the long journey ahead of me.
9 days later
I was now on a beach of Illyria with Toothless and Maelstrom after docking late last night and the sun had risen two hours ago. Fortunately the forest where I could supposedly find Nereus only a half-hour flight away on Toothless so it wouldn't take long to get there and back. I was currently looking around the area with the light of day shining on the fields and small boulders of the area. Toothless was busy finishing off his breakfast on the ship while Scaulder was out enjoying the wide open ocean. It was at that moment I heard what sounded like a horse coming towards me in the distance. I took my spy glass out of my bag and looked through it in the direction the sound was coming from and saw a large man with a helmet which had the horns of a bull on it riding a chestnut coloured horse heading straight towards me. I put my spy glass away in my satchel before telling Toothless to hide behind the rocks so he wouldn't be spotted while Maelstrom stayed at my side as I put a hand on my sword out just in case he meant me harm.
When he arrived a few feet in front of me I saw that he wasn't wearing a helmet and the horns were actually coming out of his head, wearing a leather harness on his chest with the top half of a human skull in the middle and besides that he was shirtless, quite muscular and covered in scars with a large axe in his hand. He looked at me scowling as he asked.
"Are you Heracles?" I nodded.
"Yes and who are you?" He smiled before pointing his axe at me.
"I am Kyknos. Son of the god of war Ares and I have come to kill you." It was then I put my hand on my sword so I could pull it out if necessary.
"May I ask why you want to kill me?"
"I've been told of your adventures and as such you have obviously gathered a large fortune. I want that fortune now! If you hand it over now I'll than I shall make both your death and your dog's death quick." I glared at him.
"I'd rather go down fighting then just surrender."
"I was hoping you would say that."
He then charged right at me with his axe raised before bringing it down in a downward sweep but I tuck and rolled out of the way of his axe as Maelstrom jumped back to avoid the blade. I took that moment to take a swipe at him with my sword but he used his axe to block it. He pushed me back before bringing his axe down towards me but I stepped to the side to avoid it. As Maelstrom took his lowered arm as a chance to sink both his heads teeth into Kyknos left arm making him scream in pain. He threw his arm back making Maelstrom fly off and fly against a rock before falling unconscious. Seeing this really made my blood boil as I yelled.
"NOBODY HURTS MY DOG AND GETS AWAY WITH IT!"
Before I charged right at him swinging my sword at him but before I did he pulled his axe out of the ground and used it to block my strikes. Fortunately he wasn't able to dodge all my strikes but the speed stinger venom had no effect. It didn't mean I wasn't leaving him with some cuts which would leave a few new scars. This however seemed to only enrage him even more since the second I finished one strike he would take a strike at me which I was able to dodge but mostly barely. One strike I aimed at his head but he dodged it but he wasn't quick enough since I was able to cut off his right horn. As soon as it was severed he screamed in pain at the loss of one of his horns before he growled and yelled.
"YOU DIE NOW!" Before he charged at me axe raised while I charged at him as well but before we could meet a lightning bolt struck the ground between us blasting us both back. I quickly got up only to see Kyknos running to his horse before looking back at me. "It looks like Zeus is watching over you. This isn't over yet Heracles! We will meet again and next time you won't be so lucky."
Before he made a run for it on his horse leaving both his axe and fallen horn behind. Seeing him leave I ran over to Maelstrom to make sure he was alright since he was just lying there not moving. I kneeled down next to him and put my hand on his chest to check for a heartbeat and let out a sigh of relief when I heard one in his chest. He was just unconscious but still we needed to get him back to the ship where he could rest so I called Toothless over and had him fly us back. After I had laid him down in his bed he began to come to before shaking both his heads and looking back up at me. I smiled and rubbed both his heads and said.
"Stay down pal. You took a pretty bad hit and need to lay down for the day. We can go searching for Nereus tomorrow but right now you need to rest and recover from that bump." He whined a bit but I didn't budge. "We'll go tomorrow champ. Just rest now!" He then lay his heads down and closed his eyes to sleep. I smiled before I used my day to go over my map of the area.
Next day
I was now in the forest where Nereus was said to hide with Maelstrom by my side and Toothless kept a lookout for him from the sky. Before we came to the forest however I took Kyknos's horn and axe to my storage room with the other trophies from my adventures. I was now looking at a stream knowing Nereus was said to be a sea god and this river was directly connected to the ocean he would most likely be somewhere up river. It was at that moment Maelstrom started growling up river before he began running in the direction he was growling. I ran after him to see what got him so riled up enough to run away from me. We stopped when a black haired bearded man in an ocean blue toga appeared. Maelstrom kept growling which drew the man's attention to us. He looked at Maelstrom before looking back at me and said.
"Heracles I presume." I nodded.
"Yes! How did you know?" He smiled.
"Please you're the only man who would have a wolf Orthros at his side."
"Are you the god Nereus?"
"Yes I am mortal. May I ask what it is to you?" I bowed to him to show him respect.
"I was hoping you could tell me the location of the garden with the golden apples." He looked at me in shock.
"What reason do you have for wanting to find the garden?"
"Call it curiosity about the dragon which lives there." He shook his head.
"My apologies Heracles but I cannot tell you the location." I cocked an eyebrow.
"Can't or won't?" He just turned back to the water.
"Won't! No matter what." I grabbed him from behind.
"I won't let go until you tell me." It was then to my amazement he transformed into a large fish but I didn't let my shock affect my grip.
2 hours later
I was still holding onto him tightly since he kept changing into different forms trying to get out of my grip. I never let go and said.
"I'm not letting go until you tell me the location of the garden." It was then he turned back into his human form before he said.
"Alright I'll tell you where you can find the garden."
"Good!" He then told me the exact location of the garden and where it could be found. Once he was done I let him go. "Thanks for the location." He just glared at me.
"Beware Heracles. There lay many more obstacles in your way on this journey of yours." He then turned into water which fell into the river. I turned to Maelstrom.
"Looks like we have another long trip ahead of us." He just barked before we began our walk back to the ship so we could start planning our journey.
5 days later
We just docked on a beach which was part of the section of Greece where I was told I could find the garden but I just hoped I wouldn't run into any more trouble on this trip. It would still take us a while to get to the garden and that was by flying on Toothless. Fortunately the beach we had docked in was located in a cove and without a dragon to guide you through all the sea stacks that lead to this beach it would be very difficult for someone to get through so I knew Scaulder and my ship would be safe. Me and Toothless did a quick flight over the area checking for any threats. Fortunately there weren't any meaning I could start my journey to the garden today since I already mapped out a route and prepared Toothless' saddle bags with food and supplies. I had also prepared a large basket which Toothless carries in his claws to hold Maelstrom along with any other souvenirs we might pick up that don't fit in the saddle bags. After I said goodbye to Scaulder and helped Maelstrom onto Toothless we took off.
2 days later
We were camping out in a clearing close to a small village where we could relax a bit before we continued on our journey. I decided I would go into the small village to see if they had a small market place where I could get restock on supplies while Toothless and Maelstrom waited in the clearing. Neither of them liked the thought of me going anywhere alone but I had to do it since the last thing I wanted was everyone in the village to panic. As I approached the village I couldn't help but worry that I might catch the attention of some of those who might of heard of me. The lions pelt often gives me away at times but it does come in handy from time to time.
As I got closer to the village I was stopped by a heavily muscled, brown haired man with a beard, who was a tall as my dad and wearing nothing but a loincloth and sandals. He looked me up and down before smiling at me but I recognised that smile meant this guy was looking for a fight. He looked down at me and said.
"Judging by the lions pelt you wear I assume you're Heracles."
"Yes I am and you are?"
"I am Antaeus. Son of Posiedon and Gaea. I've never been defeated and have built a temple to my father out of their skulls."
"Congrats now if you could just move out of the way so I can get to the village." He chuckled.
"If you want to pass you have to beat me in a wrestling match first. None of that armour of yours will be allowed so you'll have to remove it first."
I sighed since I've heard of him before knowing he's more stubborn than my father when it comes to challenging strong opponents. Knowing there was no way out I twisted the seal on my armour making it fall to the ground along with the lions pelt. I walked away from it and got into wrestling stance as I said.
"Let's get this over with fast." He simply chuckled.
"Don't worry. I'll make your death quick." Before he charged at me to begin our wrestling match. Using his weight against him I was able to toss him over my head but even though it was only for a few seconds I felt how heavy he was. I turned to face him as he stood up and rubbed his jaw smiling.
"This is going to be more fun than I thought." He then once again charged at me again but this time I jumped out of his way.
1 hour later
I just threw Antaeus over my head again and I had to give him credit since he wasn't tiring the least bit after we've been wrestling for an hour. I on the other hand was getting tired but I did notice something a bit unusual about Antaeus and that was the longer I held him off the ground the lighter and thinner he seemed to get but when I tossed him back he got bigger as if he was feeding off the land itself. I figured if I could keep him off the ground I might be able to weaken him enough to beat him. Right now we were facing each other once more with him smiling at me as he said.
"I'll give you this. You've lasted longer than any of my other opponents and know that you have earned my respect and with it a quick death as I will never surrender."
"Neither will I."
He smirked at me before charging at me once more. As he got closer he made another grab for me but I jumped out of the way once more but this time when he ran past I grabbed him from behind around the waist and arms restraining him before lifting him off the ground and squeezing him hoping that I could drain the strength out of him. It was then I noticed dirt coming out of his skin like water coming out of a canteen full of holes. I felt him shrink in my grip before I lifted him over my head when I felt he was light enough and asked.
"Do you surrender?" He growled at me.
"Never!"
So I kept holding him up letting the dirt fall out of his body and onto the ground. It wasn't long before I felt barely anything and nothing in the other so I lowered both my hands and looked down into the one with the weight in it and much to my surprise I found Antaeus shrunk down to fit in the palm of my hand. He shook his hand at me one last time before turning into nothing but dirt and fell out of my hand. I shrugged and said to myself.
"Well stranger things have happened to me here in Greece." It was then I put my armour back on and returned to my walk to the village.
3 hours later
I just got back from the village which surprisingly celebrated my victory against Antaeus since he often kept people away from their village since when someone came by he always challenged them which always resulted in their deaths. This of course resulted in the village not getting many visitors and losing a lot of their loved ones who just came to visit and got challenged. They even showed me the temple he built out of his opponents skulls which in my opinion was just plain creepy with all those skulls staring at me. The villagers also thanked me by allowing me to take all the food I wanted free of charge but I left the shop keepers each a bag of gold drachmas since it didn't feel right taking food from those having trouble. Before I left the village though they gave me a golden medal to show that I was a wrestling champion. After that it was close to sundown so I had Toothless light the camp fire and began preparing dinner after I explained to Toothless and Maelstrom why I took so long. They weren't happy about the wrestling match which could of resulted in my death and skull being used to decorate a temple but they calmed down after dinner.
4 days later
I was currently being lead to a ship with my arms tied in front of me with another son of Poseidon leading me with an armoured guard on either side of me as the sun came down on us. To say I wasn't happy about this would be an understatement since the guy who was leading me was planning to take me to Egypt in order to sacrifice me to put an end to the famine, Phrasius that has affected his lands on the advice of a Cyprus Seer. His name was Busiris and he was king of a small part of Egypt which had not seen the best of times for the past nine years. The seer told him that for the famine would not end until an annual sacrifice of a foreigner to Zeus was instituted. No foreigners came to the land due to the lack of resources it possessed so he decided to come collect one and he figured with my fame I would make an excellent sacrifice so he tracked me down and while I was harvesting some berries he had his guards jump me and five minutes later here I was and with Toothless and Maelstrom back at camp and the guards taking my sword. Fortunately none of them knew about my miniature crossbow on my wrist and right now I was just waiting for the right moment to strike. It was the Busiris stopped before turning to me with his long beard and brown eyes staring at me as his golden helmet with ocean blue plume reflected the sun he said.
"We'll be at my ship soon and I don't want any trouble on the way back to Egypt."
I just smirked before he turned back around and it was then I took my opportunity and let my bow out before shooting him in the back of the leg. The venom quickly took effect making him collapse forward which of course his guards reacted to. One stayed by me while the other ran to Busiris asking if he was alright while kneeling down giving me the opportunity to hit him in the arm with a mini arrow. He collapsed next to his king but before the last guard could reach his pal I stuck my leg out and tripped him as he ran past but before he could get up I raised my arms up and bashed him hard in the head knocking him out cold. With the guards and king down I was able to get my sword and use it to cut the ropes binding my arms. When I was done I walked over to Busiris I turned him around before looking down at him and saying.
"Listen Busiris I know you can hear me in this state so listen well. If you ever come near me again or anyone I'm close to again then you're going to have a lot more to worry about losing the feeling in your limbs since you will be in far more pain then you've ever experience. Do you understand?" He just let a small gurgle before I stood up before looking down at him. "I think I'll take a souvenir to remember you by." Before I kneeled down and took his helmet before turning to his guards and taking there copper Corinthian helmets and walking away since me, Toothless and Maelstrom had to get out of there before the venom wore off.
2 days later
I just finished setting up our latest camp for the day which rested in the shadow of a mountain range and I had to say I was relaxed since there weren't any human settlements nearby. I lay back down against Toothless and said.
"Nothing like a little down time after everything we've been through these last few days."
Toothless just crooned while Maelstrom curled up by the firepit which had yet to be lit since it wasn't near sundown yet. It was then Toothless stood up and tried to push me up which meant he wanted to go for a flight and I couldn't say no to him since I could go for a flight as well. I stood up and rubbed his head before saying.
"Okay bud just let me get ready." He crooned before I turned to Maelstrom. "Watch the campsite while we're away okay pal." He just growled before he stood up and began circling around the campsite. I smiled at him before we took off from the ground and said. "We'll be back soon." Before we took off to explore the nearby mountains.
As I looked down on the mountains and couldn't help but admire the natural beauty they provided to the surroundings and the calm feeling their beauty to me. As I admired the beauty I saw a bright light which looked like it was coming from a huge bonfire in the mountains. I pointed it out to Toothless and told him to head towards it so we could check it out and make sure there wasn't a forest fire that would cause trouble later. As we flew closer I began to hear screams of pain and saw the fire wasn't just a regular bonfire but a very large fire pit but it was what the large boulder in front of it that caught my eye or to be more precise what was chained to it. Chained to that boulder was a man that was fifteen feet taller than the tallest giant I had seen and at its waist was a giant red feathered eagle as big as a deadly nadder which seemed to be digging into his stomach while he struggled in pain. I had Toothless blast the ground near the bird scaring it off for now. When it was out of sight I ran up to the man to see how badly hurt he was as he looked down at me and said.
"Thank you young man but you have only delayed my pain for the day." I looked at him with a cocked eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"The bird shall return like it does every day to devour my liver as it has for the past thirty years." I frowned at this before I saw the hole in his stomach heal almost instantly while his liver grew back much to my surprise. He then took a deep breath of relief. "I am Prometheus! Sentenced by Zeus to remain tied to this boulder and have my liver devoured by that beastly bird for eternity." I looked at him confused.
"I am Heracles and what crime did you commit to deserve such a horrific punishment?" He looked down in saddness.
"I was a trickster and enjoyed making fun of the gods but my only true crime was when I stole the gift of fire from the gods and gave it to the mortals to aid them and for that I have suffered for so long and shall continue to suffer for all eternity." I looked at him in sadness since thanks to him Greece has flourished with the gift of fire and he didn't deserve this fate. It was at that moment I made the decision to set him free from his punishment. I looked up at him.
"Don't worry Prometheus! I'll get you out of here!" He looked down at me.
"How? The only way to free me is to slay the eagle so it won't be able to guard me and it can't be killed easily." I smiled remembering I packed some of my hydra's blood arrows for just in case.
"Is it immune to hydra's blood?" He chuckled at my question.
"Heracles! No creature is immune to Hydras blood. Why?" I smiled.
"I killed one a while ago and covered some arrows in its blood. Fortunately I have some back at my camp so I'll be able to use them to take out the eagle." He smiled but it was a sad smile.
"I appreciate the thought Heracles but are you sure you wish go through with this?"
"You suffer for giving mortals a gift which helped improved the lives of thousands and will continue to help them for generations to come. It's time someone helped pay you back for your kindness." He smiled before he looked at Toothless.
"I thank you but before you go may I ask what that creature you ride is called?" I smiled at Toothless.
"His names Toothless and he's a dragon." He chuckled.
"I can tell you have a close bond with him and that's all I need to know. Good luck to the both of you." I nodded to hi in thanks before I mounted Toothless and took off after promising to return.
Morning
I was waiting by Toothless with Maelstrom at my side, bow in hand with an arrow ready while I was looking up at the sky waiting for the eagle to come. I looked around in the sky before an ear splitting screech echoed throughout the mountains and it was then I knew the bird had come as only a minute later it came in to sight and heading straight towards us. I signalled Toothless and Maelstrom to prepare for a fight as I prepared to fire my first hydra blood arrow. As it got closer I only hoped it wouldn't take notice of us and go straight for Prometheus. I was grateful to see that is exactly what it did with its wings spread out wide and its beak snapping. Without hesitating I took aim at the eagle and muttered.
Come on just a little closer."
I wanted a clean shot at the beast and to be honest. I was curious about how the blood of the hydra would effect an animal like this since when it came to the giants it mean instant death but this was an animal and the effects may be different. When the eagle was close enough I pulled my bow back and took aim before I let the arrow fly. I watched as it flew to the eagle I believe it saw the arrow coming since it immediately changed course before diving towards me. I tuck and rolled out of the way of its talons that made a grab for me making it just carve a dent into the ground before it landed. It then tried to grab me with its beak by trying to peck me like a chicken does its food before Toothless hit it with a plasma blast knocking it back slightly. This gave me the opening I needed to take out one of my arrows and stab it into the eagles leg. It screeched in pain before collapsing to the ground dead allowing me to stand back up and walk away from the carcass and up to Prometheus who was smiling down at me. He looked down at me before asking.
"Are you alright Heracles?" I nodded.
"I'll be fine. It wasn't able to do me any harm before I took it down."
"Thank you Heracles you have helped free me from the torment of the gods. Now I just need to break these chains and I shall be free."
I nodded before turning to Toothless and signalled him to start melting the chains using a slow burn. After half an hour we were finally able to break the chains and set Prometheus free from his bonds allowing him to walk away from the rock. He then began stretching and cracking his back before he said.
"Ninety years tied to a rock really leaves you feeling stiff." He then turned to me and kneeled down to what I assume have an easier time looking me in the face."Thank you so much for freeing me from the torment of the gods Heracles. I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am to you. If there is any way I could possibly thankyou then just name it."
"Not unless you could give me a way to enter the garden of Hesperides without being killed." He chuckled at my answer.
"Let me guess. You want to go into the garden to collect some of the golden apples." I shook my head.
"No! I don't want any of the apples. I wish to study the dragon which guards them known as Ladon." His smile dropped.
"Why would you want to study that beast?" I chuckled at him.
"I've always had an interest in dragons and the thought of a dragon with a hundred heads sounds pretty interesting."
"I understand if your mount is anything to go by." He then rubbed his chin in thought. "Well if you want a way to get to that dragon without getting killed I recommend you go talk to Atlas. His daughters help tend to the garden and I'm sure if you talk to their dear old dad he will give you a way to get them to help you." I nodded before I asked where I could find Atlas and after he told me where to find Atlas we parted ways after he promised that should I ever need help whether it be in finding new knowledge or in battle all I had to do was ask.
3 days later
We've been travelling on the route Prometheus gave us on the lookout for Atlas who was said to be the titan who held up the sky. We were now hundreds of feet up in the sky since a guy who held up the sky must be pretty big but didn't see anything but clouds and lovely scenery down below. I gave Toothless a pat on the neck and said.
"We'll find him bud. A guy strong enough to hold the sky up will be pretty hard to miss after all."
He warbled back before he stopped and hovered in place much to my confusion until I looked forward and saw a large pillar in our way. I looked up and saw it didn't seem to have an end but just kept going up endlessly. I steered Toothless down so we could check out what this pillar was for and he gladly followed my lead probably also curious about it.
We circled down the pillar to the bottom so I could get a better look at the pillar and as far as I could tell it was just an incredibly large Greek pillar which I would say was ten feet thick. When we got close to the bottom I saw a small clearing in what was a huge forest. When we landed I saw a man the size of Prometheus holding the pillar up looking at us before he said.
"Let me guess! Heracles?" I smiled before nodding.
"You got it and I take you're Atlas?" He just nodded.
"Anything I can do for you?"
"I want to study the dragon that guards the golden apples but I doubt it'll let me get close. I've heard your daughters help him with the garden so I was hoping they could help me get close to him and as their father you would have some way to convince them." He shrugged as best he could.
"Sorry kid but I got enough here with literally carrying the world on my shoulders. It's a real pain since it always leaves the muscles in my arms aching."
"Some villagers I know used to have the same cramps after doing a lot of heavy lifting all day. I built them arm braces and they helped get rid of the cramps. If you like I could build you a set along with some padding for your shoulders if you like."
"I'd like that if it'll help with lessening the aches in my arms and shoulders."
"Alright but it will take some time to design the brace and it may be a while before I'm able to find a material to make it out of."
"Don't worry I got nothing but time." After that I set up camp in the clearing with Atlas's permission and began work on the designs.
Nightfall
I spent my evening talking to Atlas who was happy to have a little company at night since there wasn't really anyone to talk to with his job keeping him in one place. He even told me an old legend about a Blacksmith who became famous through his swords he made for the warriors of the coliseum in Rome. The legend goes that eventually one warrior came to his home. Thinking that the warrior came to thank him for his fabulous sword he greeted the warrior, sadly the warrior came not to thank the blacksmith but instead he came and murdered the smith. He then proclaimed that when he won in the Coliseum he didn't want anyone else with one of his swords to challenge him. The Blacksmiths son who was out back refilling his father's watering trough came as the warrior made his proclamation, as he shed tears the god Hephaestus came to him and took blacksmiths hammer. Using his own power he bestowed the hammer with great power, handing the hammer to the son he was told that because the hammer made each of the weapons the warrior used that the hammer itself is stronger. Taking the gods words the son travelled to the Coliseum, in a week he had beaten all the warriors and even slew the warriors who killed his father. In the process he shattered each and every weapon his father forged, because he felt that it was an insult for such crew and greedy warriors to wield them. During the celebration of his win the emperor poisoned his drink, the emperor feared that the smiths son would become a threat to him and thus killed him before he could. As the son died the very poison that he drank spilled onto the hammer, The emperor then took the hammer thinking it would give him great power but instead it caused him death. As if being possessed the emperor went on to kill his court, afterwards he went to the docks where he killed a fisherman and stole his boat. The emperor vanished that night taking the hammer with him making it a lost treasure. Apparently that hammer could forge any hard substance into any weapon which would come in handy in some cases like now it would come in handy for forging an arm brace for Atlas since the material I need would need to be strong for him. These were the thoughts that entered my mind as I lay against Toothless and let the sweet embrace of slumber take over.
When I opened my eyes I was still in the clearing but Toothless, Maelstrom and Atlas were gone. Even the large pillar that Atlas held up was gone and I knew it was impossible to be moved. Instead the only other person in the clearing was the elderly man I had met from after my fight with the Nemean lion and hydra who was smiling at me. Seeing him I asked.
"Who are you and what do you want with me?" He simply chuckled.
"All in good time my dear boy! All in good time! For now though I understand you are trying to help Atlas by building him some arm braces but no regular material will do my dear boy." He then reached into his robe and pulled out a shining rock before handing it to me and it felt so warm as if it were alive but still rather heavy. "A star for you to construct the braces out of. They will last eternity but in order to forge them out of the star you will need this." He then pulled out a forge hammer and gave it to me. "This is the hammer Atlas spoke of in the legend. Use it well!" Before everything faded into blackness.
I then woke up to see Maelstrom licking my face with both his heads making me laugh however as I reached up to push him away I realised both my hands were each holding something. I looked down at my hands to see what they were holding and much to my shock I was holding the star and hammer from my dream but then again stranger things have happened to me since I've come to Greece. It was then Atlas spoke and said.
"Morning Heracles. I see the gods paid you a visit last night." I looked down at the items.
"I guess they did. Well I guess now I have what I need to make those arm braces since I finished the designs yesterday. All I need is a forge to build them."
"Well there was an old blacksmith who used to make stuff in a cave about a mile away if you need a forge. I doubt the blacksmith will mind since he passed away twenty years ago."
"I'll go an inspect it after I've had breakfast." He nodded before I started cooking myself some fish.
Three days later
I had just completed the final arm brace which was not easy to forge in such an old forge and with a material I had never used before but I was sure that the arm braces would work. They were a simple design of five rings with a small crank on either side of where the elbow with wire connecting them and the rings which all glowed gold most likely because of the material I made them out of. It was time for the moment that would show if they work. It was time to let Atlas try them out so I carefully put them away in my saddle bag before we too off to give them to Atlas. As we flew to the pillar I prayed that these braces would work since Atlas had been nothing but nice to us so it will feel good to do something to repay his landed in front of Atlas who was smiling at us while I took out the Arm braces and said.
"They're ready for testing." He smiled at us.
"Anything to try and help these cramps but even if they don't work I appreciate the work you put into trying to help me Heracles."
I smiled at him before I walked up with Arm Braces and had Toothless help me by giving me a lift so I could reach Atlas's arms since he was too tall for me to reach his wrists. When I was done hooking them up to Atlas he stretched his arms a bit as I held my breath hoping that they wouldn't break. Much to my joy they held before Atlas said.
"Now that does feel a whole lot better. My cramps are disappearing already."
"Glad I could help. Now If you'll excuse me I've got a garden to find and a dragon to study at a distance." I turned to Toothless before Atlas said.
"Heracles wait. If you go back to the forge and look under the anvil you'll find a secret storage compartment with a necklace in it. The necklace will show my daughters you're a friend of mine and they will be more than happy to help you in what you want." I nodded to him in thanks before I left to get the necklace and then go to the garden.
3 days later
We had just landed outside the garden where the golden apples lay and Ladon the one hundred headed dragon. I was hoping the golden amulet with blue diamond that Atlas said would help me be able to study it. I had Toothless fly us over the wall and land just behind it so I could hopefully catch the attention of one of Atlas's daughters before I went any deeper since that could cause some trouble and that is the last thing I wanted. However before I could even take another step a woman with green eyes with long hair tied in a braid over her right shoulder wearing an emerald green Chiton which looked as if it were made from the plants of the garden with a crown of flowers on her head. She was glaring at me and asked.
"Who are you and what are you doing here mortal?" I looked her up and down and had to admit she was beautiful but I had to focus on answering her. I looked at her face and answered.
"I am Heracles and I am here in hopes of studying Ladon. I take it you're one of Atlas's daughters." She looked at me with suspicion.
"Yes I am Hesperium and why should I allow you to venture further into the garden?" I held up the amulet to show Hesperium hoping it would convince her. She took one look at the amulet. "You're a friend of my fathers and have earned his blessing. How?"
"I made him a pair of arm braces to help him with the cramps he gets in them."
"Father always did complain about the cramps he got in his arms. Never the less should you try and damage the garden me and my sisters will be forced to remove you."
"I understand but rest assured I only came hoping I could study Ladon." She smiled and nodded.
"Well if that's the case then I'll go gather my sisters and inform them of your intentions and we shall calm Ladon so you may study him. You and your friends just wait for me to return." I nodded before she walked away.
4 days later
I was laying against Toothless with Maelstrom resting his heads on my lap while we enjoyed the shade of the tree and watching Ladon patrolling the grounds around the tree. I learnt quite a lot about him in my stay here like for starters he only has seven heads and not one hundred, he's only aggressive if you get too close to the tree of the golden apples or looked to pose any threat than he was pretty relaxed as long as one of the Nymphs were near by to show that I wasn't a threat. Another thing that has happened is I've learnt that a lot of people in Greece think Maelstrom is his uncle Cerberus, the three headed dog that guards the gates of Hades to prevent any souls from escaping. I rolled my eyes at the thought of me ever stealing that dog since it would cause nothing but trouble with souls escaping, Hades coming after me for stealing and trying to control that beast would be more than likely be impossible for me since even Hades is said to have a difficult time controlling him. (AN: I couldn't think of a way for Hiccup to need to go get Cerberus and I want to bring Hiccups trip to Greece to an end after the next chapter. Sorry if you're dissapointed but please keep the reviews nice.) I got up and said.
"Well guys I think we should get back to Athens. I have more than enough notes and sketches after studying him and questioning the nymphs."
They just barked or growled before I got up with them and we made our way to the wall saying our goodbyes to the nymphs along the way.
5 days later
I was once again on my ship making our way back to Athens after my latest adventure and I had to say I hoped this was the last one I had in Greece since I am beyond tired of all these adventures and really just want to go home to Berk. I just hoped whatever was keeping me here in Greece was gone so I could finally return home to see everyone. I looked out to the ocean admiring the calm blue waters as I recalled all the strange things that have happened to me during my stay here in Greece and all that I had accomplished. From slaying the Nemean lion to studying Ladon and so much more. One thing I know to be true and that was I needed a vacation from travelling and some time to just lay back and relax so I could explore a few islands closer to Berk since I have been thinking of finding my own island close to Berk so I could have a little more room without worrying about running out of space and people finding my place. Besides I've been meaning to check on the mining operation I have on Dragon Island since it has been a while since I last checked it out. I ended up leaving the island with a boat full of jewels for my vault and that was only after a month since the last visit. It's been way more than a month since my last visit so chances are I just might have to make more than one trip to get all the stuff they've dug up. I still wonder what has been keeping me here in Greece for so long and hoped it would come to an end because after we get back to Athens I'm spending one more week here before I head home to Berk.
AN: I hope you guys have enjoyed the chapter and once again I am sorry for not putting in Cerberus but there was no way I was having Hiccup steal that beast because if he tried he'd be a dead man. In the next chapter comes the long awaited meeting with the Greek gods and Hiccups return to Berk so if you have any suggestions with what Hiccups future island will have just put it in a review. Also keep in mind if you're wondering where I am if the next chapter takes long keep in mind I do have a life outside of fanfiction and I am trying to write a novel which I hope will allow me to become a published author. Have a nice day!