Chapter 2: Pool of Visions

I had awoken suddenly, the water in the bath sloshed about like waves. The sun had fallen far to the other side of Olympus. The Citadel sounded quiet, which must mean it is early morning. My ribs had just about healed completely. Still a little sore, I slowly rose out of the now freezing water and began to dry myself. I grabbed a fresh pair of clothes; a warm wool shirt, a new pair of leather pants, heavy socks and my boots. As I finished lacing them up, I made myself a mug of coffee. Fjorn said he had dreams of his home world. The sweet meads and the morning brewed beans that formed what he had called coffee. Lucky for him, Olympus supplied all of these various plants needed to make this concoctions. I embraced the warmth of the coffee and sat for a minute.

All of a sudden a pain hit me. My head ached like never before. It was as if my skull was on fire. Then it stopped. I was a little off my game lately. I had this overwhelming feeling of not being at my full potential. Being the son of Zeus, you might think I would have the power and strength he posses, but I lack in that area severely, in comparison to him. I gathered a few supplies, food, a heavy jacket and a bag full of first aid. I had to climb to the top of this mountain to meet my father. Since I am getting a very early start, there's no real rush and I can take the path carefully. I closed my chamber doors and walked down the courtyard and out the first set of wooden doors that gave entry to my home. The sweet smell of fresh baked goods and fruit still lingered in the market place. I then saw something creepy behind the butchers market, something indescribable. It had a small frame, and it made some kind of clicking sounds. I lowered my bag off my shoulder and began to walk towards it.

"Hey, you there!" I shouted, but not too loud to wake anyone.

It peered around to me and what I saw shocked me. It had no face. It skittered down the alleyway and turned a corner. I began my chase, full speed down the alley. I turned the corner and crashed into someone. Assuming it was the being I was pursuing, I grabbed it by the collar it raised it high above my head. But it was just a normal man in his morning garb carrying a basket full of wheat.

"I'm so sorry Hercules, I didn't mean to get in your way!" The man shouted in fear

"uhh, no, I apologize. I thought I saw something run this way." I said peering around the man and noticing a dead end. "Carry on, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask, I didn't mean to scare you."

The man with his wheat nodded and ran past Hercules down the alley to the market streets, presumably getting his shop ready for the daily sales. I walked back down the alley towards the streets as well and picked my bag back up. I continued my walk until I exited the market and was nearing the mountain pass gate.

"Halt, who goes there?" A guard shouted.

"Hercules. Zeus summoned me to the summit and I need to pass." I responded.

"Understood sir, continue on." The guard pulled the lever and the large metal gate rose.

I continued pass the gate until it was far behind me and not even the lights guided me. The path wasn't too wide, although it's not like carriages would be bringing supplies up the mountain, it was just wide enough for me to casually stroll down. Oak trees lined each side, not giving away whatever was behind. The trees rustled with the wind and gave a natural melody to the air. I eventually made it to the base of the mountain where I was greeted by very large and spaced out steps that would lead me to the summit. I stepped up and knew this was the beginning to a very long day. I picked up my pace and tried to make a game out of it. How fast could I make it up Mount Mak'trall. Mak'trall was said to be the last of the Titans hiding place. The king of the Titans was Mak'Trall, hence where they got the name, was defeated by Zeus, freeing the Olympians from tyranny. Titans were large creatures. Humanoid style features but stood nearly fifteen feet tall and used magic to impose their will. They enslaved the Olympian race until Zeus freed them. Pushing them to the edge of extinction, Zeus offered them mercy. Mak'Trall saw no honor in leaving this world so what he called Olympians, 'vermin'. Zeus drew his lightning bolt shaped spear and pierced the Titans heart. Thus, freeing the people. Zeus claimed there were hidden treasures amongst this world, left behind by the Titans. Zeus also explained that my mother and his brother were destroyed by the Titans in an effort to weaken Zeus. Though he hasn't spoken much about her, I sense a feeling of pain in his heart.

As I clamored up each step, faster and faster, I felt every bit of pain in my side wash away from the freezing cold the mountain was giving. The higher I got, the colder it got. I had to watch my step more closely now, the ice was thick on these steps and if I wasn't careful, I could send myself tumbling down or worse, off the side. Snow began to pelt me and I donned my hood and slowed my pace. Torches began to light, giving vision to the sides of the steps and a more clear view of the path up the mountain. The sun was rising above the mountains on the far side of the Citadel and I could now see how far I was from the top. I wasn't far at all, just need to continue my pace and I will be there by breakfast.

I reached the top of the mountain and two oracles stood guard by giant wooden doors to a temple. This was the first time I had ventured up Mount Mak'Trall since I was a child. Of course, then I was guided up by my father, who had to mentally push me to stop, stopping. I nodded and spoke to the oracles.

"I was delivered a message from Zeus to meet him here."

They simply nodded and opened the large wooden doors. They cracked and creaked as if they hadn't been open in centuries. I walked in, brushed off some snow and took in my surroundings. The walls lined with old Titan tapestry's, monuments to their achievements and in the center of a room laid a pool with a glowing orange essence. Steps welcomed those to the pool. Candles burned next to a bookshelf which held many manuscripts on Titan history. Zeus himself stood admiring the texts and raised a hand as if asking for a minute of silence as he finished his sentence. Zeus had long gray hair that met the center of his back. He turned around and showed a bearded face attempting to hide all the scars he had from war. He stood six feet, eight inches in height. His frame was empowering and demanded respect. He moved with a flow of confidence around the room and began to speak to me.

"You know, when you were younger and traveled with me here so I could continue my reading, you never once complained about the cold." Zeus said with a smile.

"Well that's because it numbed my muscles that ached from the journey."

"Is that so? The son of Zeus struggling with a journey to a temple on Mount Mak'Trall?" Zeus said inquisitively.

I couldn't help but once again feel the failure from my lack of strength.

"No worries child. You will eventually be met with your full strength and use it in battle. Speaking of which, how did that creature uphold in the arena against the GREAT HERCULES!?" He shouted.

"Well father, I gotta say, he gave me a hard time for a little while. But when I learned his strategy, it was pretty easy." I said confidently.

"What a shame. Such power and force, but no intellect to wield such." Zeus said shaking his head.

"Father, there was one thing I had noticed that I wasn't sure how to understand." I said

"Well then boy, spit it out. We have quite the long journey ahead of us."

"There was a mark on its back. A skeletal horse. When the beast had died, the mark burned and then left the surrounding skin charred." I said trying to remember every bit of it.

"I see. That could have been a branding left by the Titans long ago." Zeus responded

"Could be, but why did the beast show up now? Not years ago. No mention or history of it that I know of." I said

"Hmm, well, those are excellent questions. Mak'Trall didn't enlighten me on very much this planet had held. Maybe in hopes they would overthrow us when we least expected it." Zeus said looking above at the ceiling. "Look, Hercules, I think it is time we began your journey for truth. I need you at full strength. I feel a sense of impeding conflict upon us."

"Father, who dare attack Zeus, destroyed of Titans.." Zeus cut me off.

"Zeus, protector of Olympians. I did not wish to destroy anything or anyone." Zeus corrected me.

"Regardless father, who would dare impose themselves onto Olympus?" I asked.

"Listen for a minute Hercules. This is the Pool of Visions. You have known it since you were a child and I never once informed you of its great powers. When I defeated Mak'Trall, I felt physically drained. The war was finally over and I could rest a bit, right before I could rebuild and make the Citadel what it is. I decided to bathe in the pool unaware of what secrets it held. Of course, I was a little weary of the glowing orange essence, but nonetheless, I entered. I remembered everything. The ones I lost. Your mother, my brother. All for what? And then it happened, it showed me a prosperous future. I entered some kind of future where I saw you prosper with strength, leading the Olympians to greatness. Once the vision had ended, I got out and the orange glowing essence drained. I could not see what fate had in store for me any longer." Zeus squinted and readjusted his jaw for a moment.

"Do you see its glow son?" Zeus asked

"Yes father, bright orange glow." I said.

"Good. Then you will begin this journey. I shall give you peace. But listen. You have to clear your mind. Imagine those that give threat to Olympus. Find them and we together shall snuff the life out of monsters yet again, but by each others side." Zeus said in a glorified tone.

I simply nodded. I felt a pit form in my stomach. The thought of war. The thought that I could be exposed for not holding the strength comparable to my father.

"Hercules, have faith in yourself as I have faith in you." Zeus said before opening the large oak wooden doors. He passed by the two oracles that bowed before him and the doors slammed shut.

I undressed to my skivvies and paced the room a bit. The cold winter air squeezed through the stone walls and pierced my exposed skin. I need to clear my mind and think of Olympus and its enemies.

I walked slowly up the stone steps and slowly entered the pool. The icy cold water was not comfortable and it alone gave me second thoughts. I cleared my mind yet again and tried to ignore the cold, I dunked my entire body in. I floated to the top, and felt nothing but icy cold water consuming my body.

I floated there for about thirty minutes before I let my body float freely on my back. Water intruded my ears and I let it flow freely. I closed my eyes and I began to feel a tugging at my back.

I opened my eyes and stared off in amazement. I was floating amongst the stars. I greeted every star in planet in the solar system. I have never been to space, but it always intrigued me. My body began to spin in the empty space until I was completely spun around and saw a massive black hole. I was being forced into it, I could feel every bit of my body being shredded and put back together. I felt pain like I have never felt before. I saw nothing by darkness but I felt as though my body was being crushed and expanded all at the same time.

I was free falling in space, for what felt like eternity.