The fourth Lite was Anemos who took the form of a Roc (no, not a rock!), a massive eagle that could carry entire cities. Anemos was in charge of bringing air for life to breathe, wind so birds could fly, and clouds could shift places. He decided what the weather would be for the realms. He controlled the climate and temperature as well. True, Fotia could cause forest fires and volcanic eruption. Nero could bring flash floods. Gian could produce earthquakes, rockslides, and avalanches. But Anemos was the most feared out of the Lites. Not because he defeated or killed a god or any other supposed heroic being, because of how subtle he was.
The kings and queens of the realms did their best to rule without conflict because one false move could bring drought or heavy weather for the kingdom. Zeus and Anemos were fierce rivals over the weather. Once, they had a duel for the weather. Zeus attempted to use his thunderbolts on Anemos. It didn't work of course because one sky god could not kill another with his own powers. After three days of battle Anemos won and banished Zeus from the sky forever. Unlike his cousin, Jupiter, leader of the Roman Realm welcomed Anemos with open arms. He adored the air Lite and would hold a feast once a month in his honor.
Anemos was greatly thrilled by this but wanted nothing in return for his services. He was described as being bright white with blue eyes when he was happy or calm but black with dark gray eyes when he was upset, and no one wanted to upset the air Lite. Unfortunately, one great hero did, and it cost him his life. Remember when Hercules only completed half of his trials? Well, this is the other half of that story. On his sixth trial, Hercules was tasked with taking out the Stymphalian birds, which just so happened to be Anemos's sons and daughters. Once the birds were dead, Hercules celebrated with his friends.
Anemos was so enraged he nearly sent a lightning bolt to turn the group to ashes. However, he developed a plan that would change Hercules's life. When the men were all good and drunk, they fell into the sand for sleep before setting sail in the morning. They awoke at sunrise and began sailing to their next labor. However, just as they began, a massive storm hit. The waves were so high, they crashed and overturned the boat. All were trapped under but Hercules who threw himself overboard before the boat could collapse into the waves. He swam on the currents away from the storm and back to the island.
By the time he reached shore, he dropped with exhaustion. He looked up and saw he was at the talons of Anemos. At first, he thought it was another Stymphalian bird and grabbed his bow. He grabbed an arrow tipped with hydra poison and shot it at the Lite. Anemos grabbed the arrow, inches from his chest, and snapped it in half with such strength, thunder boomed ahead. Hercules had realized his mistake and bowed to the air Lite. Anemos made a deep growling noise which sound like a million thundering storm clouds "You dare attack me Hercules!?" Hercules begged for forgiveness.
As enraged as he was and having a solid reason and right to kill him, Anemos knew if he did, he would set a bad example to his followers and siblings.
"Very well boy. Even though you attempted to assassinate me, even though you killed my nieces and nephews, even though you stained my brother's oceans with the blood of my sons and daughters, I will grant you my forgiveness and allow you safety to cross the seas my brother painstakingly created. IF...you in turn accomplish a labor for me. You will remain on this island for a century. One year for each bird you slayed. You must survive on your own terms. If you are to escape before your time is done, your time will end in this realm."
And so Hercules waited a days, weeks, months, years, decades, for someone to come to break him from his imprisonment but none did. Anemos had threatened the lands nearby if they dared set course for Stymphalia, they would meet the same fate as Hercules's crew. Finally, the night before the end of his term, Hercules was weakened by his physical and mental state. His time on the island was near to the end but the man wanted it to be over then and there. Not wanting to wait till morning, Hercules built a boat out of the bronze from the birds. 1 minute before midnight, Hercules set off for home.
However, midway to the mainland, a storm began brewing in the distance. Thinking nothing of it, Hercules sailed on. 5 minutes later, the storm was upon him. The boat rocked back and forth with great force. Hercules jumped overboard before his boat could sink. Not wanting to spend anymore time on the island, he continued swimming on for home through the storm. Finally, a massive lightning bolt struck Hercules on the back. The man immediately turned to ashes which blew from the water and into space. After hearing of his cousin's fate, Herakles from the roman realm completed Hercules's other trials while bearing his name as well.
Outraged by his son's death, Zeus went to Armonia to tell what happened to Hercules and his imposter. Armon stated he ordered Anemos to kill Hercules because he had committed murder. Zeus tried saying that the birds were only monsters, but Armon stated "Just because it is not the life of a man doesn't mean it is not the life of innocence." This angered Zeus further and he stormed out of the Lites' palace. Anemos was disappointed that Hercules defied his orders and gave him great warning of what was to befall him if he did so. It was Hercules's fault for not taking heed of Anemos's warning. Zeus swore vengeance on the Lites and their descendants. However, his revenge would cost him his own life as well.