Like a terrified koala!

]

Dawn broke over the Grecian landscape, painting the sky in hues of gold and pink. I stood there, flexing Hercules' impressive muscles, trying to shake off the surreal feeling of being in this legendary body. Beside me, Iolaus packed our supplies with practiced ease, his movements a stark contrast to my nervous fidgeting.

"Ready for your first labor, Hercules?" Iolaus asked, tossing me a satchel that I nearly fumbled.

"Born ready," I lied, hoping my voice didn't betray my anxiety. 

"Nothing like a morning stroll to face a monstrous, potentially invulnerable lion, right?"

Iolaus chuckled, but I caught a hint of confusion in his eyes. 

"There's that famous Herculean humor. Though I must say, your jokes have taken a rather... scholarly turn lately."

As we set off, I couldn't help but marvel at the rugged beauty of ancient Greece. 

Every hill, every olive grove, every village was a living piece of history. It was intoxicating, and I found myself peppering Iolaus with questions about everything we encountered.

"Oh, look at that olive grove!" I exclaimed, pointing excitedly. "Did you know that the cultivation of olives in Greece dates back to..."

I trailed off as I caught Iolaus staring at me, his expression a mix of amusement and concern.

"Since when are you so interested in agriculture, Hercules? Usually, you're more concerned with uprooting trees than learning about them."

I coughed, trying to cover my enthusiasm. 

"Well, you know what they say – know your terrain, know your... uh, lion-fighting strategy."

As the day wore on, the landscape became increasingly challenging. We scaled steep hills, forded streams, and navigated dense forests. With each step, I marveled at Hercules' endurance. 

What would have left me, in my normal body, gasping for breath barely seemed to register to these divinely enhanced muscles.

I had to say, being the Son of Zeus did have some amazing benefits!

However, my lack of practical experience soon became apparent. While climbing a particularly treacherous cliff face, I made the mistake of looking down. 

Vertigo hit me like a tidal wave, and I froze, clinging to the rock face like a terrified koala.

"Hercules?" Iolaus called from above. "Is everything alright?"

"Everything's fine!" I shouted back, my voice several octaves higher than usual.

Nothing was really fine!

I am terrified!

It feels like not even my bones could be recovered if I fall off the cliff.

I was literally frozen with terror.

But I couldn't show it!

I am Hercules, the strongest of the Heroes - now, how would it sound if a rumor saying Hercules, the son of Zeus, is afraid of heights should spread?

 "Just, uh, admiring the view! Yep, totally not paralyzed with fear or anything!"

I said with fake bravado, planting Hercules' fingers into rocks with sheer strength.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of coaxing from Iolaus and no small amount of undignified whimpering on my part, I finally made it to the top. 

As I lay there, panting on solid ground, Iolaus couldn't contain his bewilderment.

"I've never seen you like this," he said, shaking his head. "The mighty Hercules, conqueror of monsters, defeated by a little cliff?"

I sat up, brushing dirt from my tunic. 

"Well, you know what they say – pride comes before a fall. I was just... practicing humility. Very important for heroes, humility."

That earned me another confused stare from Iolaus, but at this point, I didn't even care.

As the sun began to set, we made camp in a small clearing. The distant howls of wolves or perhaps something far less natural echoed through the night, sending shivers down my spine.

"We should reach Nemea by midday tomorrow," Iolaus said as we sat by the fire. "Are you ready for this, Hercules? It won't be an easy fight."

I stared into the flames, the reality of what lay ahead finally sinking in. "Ready or not," I said softly, "it seems the Fates have decreed that I must face this challenge."

Iolaus nodded approvingly. "That's the spirit. Though I must say, all this talk of Fates and decrees – you're starting to sound like a philosopher rather than a warrior."

In the flickering firelight, I caught Iolaus watching me with a mixture of concern and curiosity. "Hercules," he said softly, "you've been... different lately. Is everything alright?"

I paused, weighing my words carefully. 

How could I explain to him that I wasn't really Hercules? That I was just a modern-day scholar somehow transported into the body of Greece's greatest hero?

"I'm fine," I said finally. "Just... thinking about the task ahead. This lion, it's not like anything we've faced before, is it?"

Iolaus shook his head. "No, it's not. They say its hide is impenetrable, its strength unmatched. But if anyone can defeat it, it's you, Hercules."

His faith in me – or rather, in Hercules – was touching. 

And terrifying. 

How could I possibly live up to the legend of Hercules?

As the night deepened, I found myself unable to sleep. Every rustle in the underbrush, every distant cry set my nerves on edge. Was that the Nemean Lion, prowling in the darkness? Or just my overactive imagination?

I sat up, watching the embers of our fire slowly die. In the soft glow, I could see the outline of Hercules' massive hands – my hands, for now. Hands that had performed incredible feats of strength, hands that were expected to strangle a monstrous lion.

The absurdity of my situation hit me anew. 

Whatever happened in Nemea, I knew one thing for certain - this was going to be one hell of a story to tell – if I survived to tell it.

---***---