Prologue
Heracles walked through the Greek countryside, humming to himself. The hot Mediterranean sun blazed above his head, but the hero kept walking calmly, without so much as a drop of sweat on his forehead. He carried his club in his right hand, a great, one and a half meter long weapon. He wore a short tunic, made of wool, and sandals. And above this, draped over his back, with its jaws framing his face, the pelt of the Nemean Lion, that golden, indestructible skin which Heracles had obtained by slaying the beast. Its front paws were tied before his neck, holding the pelt, while the rest of it fell down his back like a golden cape.
By a rope he dragged the body of the giant Cacus, the three-headed shepherd who terrorized the countryside through massacres and rapes. The citizens of Naupactus would be beyond themselves with gratefulness and joy.
It had not been very difficult to kill Cacus. Heracles had worn the wool of a sheep, as he had known the monster had a poor eyesight. Subtly, silently, Heracles had approached him his sword in his mouth and his club hugged close to his body. When the giant had reached down to pet the seemingly harmless sheep, Heracles jumped out, cut the monster's hand off, and drove his blade into his stomach. He had then broken his knees with his club, and the creature fell, completely taken by surprise. A single blow to each of his heads had finished Cacus.
Heracles was a young man, having turned 18 a mere week ago. He was tall, measuring little less than 2 meters. His white skin was slightly tanned, and his hair was light brown. He had green eyes, an alluring face which was shaved clean and a perfectly toned body.
A flock of birds flew past, over the hills and into the distance. Heracles couldn't wait to arrive at Naupactus, not because of glory or tributes, which were sure to come, but to see Megara, beautiful, sweet Megara, his wife. She would be waiting for him, to welcome the hero with the rest of the city. They would make the sacrifices to Zeus, and to Athena, and a feast would ensue, courtesy of the locals. They would then retire to the solitude of their chambers, to make love, enjoying one another till the break of dawn.
He smiled to himself, and fastened the pace, anxious to get there.
In less than three minutes he had jogged the 10 kilometers that separated him from Naupactus.
From the city walls, a cloud of dust could be seen approaching rapidly.
-It's Heracles! β shouted a sentinel β Heracles is back with the monster Cacus!