IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR HERACLES, THE GOD OF POWER IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY AS YOU KNOW IT, THIS IS NOT THE PLACE YOU SHOULD GO.
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Chapter 4: Hippocoon land part 1
“Heracles, wake up! We’re late.” Amelinda’s voice yanked him from uneasy sleep.
He blinked, yawning, and pushed upright against the wall. “I was just… trying something,” he mumbled.
“Hurry! We’re already at the gate,” Amelinda called, striding off.
Groggy, Heracles tugged on a suit, slung his bag over his shoulder, and bolted. He barreled down the stairs, across the hall, through the garden, and into the waiting carriage.
The Old Gardener sat at the reins. Heracles greeted him quickly before climbing inside. His mother, July, and Amelinda were already seated. Alcmene, draped in a white chiton that lent her an almost divine glow, gestured to the seat opposite her.
“Here, Heracles,” she said gently.
“Go on, Old Gardener,” July said, and the carriage lurched forward.
“By this time tomorrow, you’ll be at Hippocoon,” Alcmene said softly. Her gaze lingered on her son. “Take care of yourself. And Amelinda. Don’t be stubborn, don’t do anything foolish. Follow the rules—they’ll keep you safe.”
“Don’t worry, my queen,” July said quickly. “Amelinda will look after him. Won’t you, Amelinda?”
“I will,” Amelinda promised, leaning forward earnestly. “I’ll keep him out of trouble—you can count on me.”
Alcmene’s smile warmed. “I believe you. And Heracles—your brother will be there too. Treat him kindly. Treat everyone kindly. It would break my heart to hear otherwise.”
“I know, Mother,” Heracles said quietly. “I’ll treat him well.”
Hours later, the carriage slowed. Heracles hugged his mother tight, kissing her cheek. She stayed hidden inside, not to be seen by the crowd. Amelinda and July embraced her as well before stepping down.
“Bye, Mom,” Heracles said, his throat tight.
“See you again, Queen Alcmene,” Amelinda added brightly.
“Wait here,” July told the Old Gardener.
“Goodbye, Master Heracles. Goodbye, Amelinda,” he called.
“Goodbye, Old Gardener,” they echoed together.
The three climbed the temple’s nine worn stone steps. Marble columns loomed above, cold and immense. Inside, the hall stretched vast and echoing, lit only by slanted shafts of sun. At the far end towered Athena—golden-robed, spear and shield in hand, a giant owl poised above her palm. Her gaze of stone made Heracles feel smaller than ever.
“Heracles! Amelinda! You’re late!” Gwen’s voice rang out, bouncing off the marble. He rushed over, grabbing their hands with boyish impatience.
“Wait,” July called after them. She crouched by Amelinda, stroking her daughter’s hair with tender fingers. “Take care of yourself. And look after him.”
“I will, Mother,” Amelinda promised. She darted to Heracles and Gwen, flashing a grin. “See you later!”
“See you all later,” July called back.
The trio sprinted toward Athena’s statue.
“What are you doing?” Amelinda gasped, tugging at Gwen’s hand. “We’re going to crash into it!”
“There’s a door,” Gwen insisted, grinning.
Amelinda squeezed her eyes shut with a squeal.
Their admission scrolls flared. The marble rippled like water—and in an instant, they plunged through, sinking as though into a still lake.
“You can open your eyes,” Heracles said softly.
Amelinda blinked. Her breath caught. “Where… are we?”
Heracles stared into the vast unknown. “I don’t know.”
Heracles stared into the void. “I don’t know.”
Heracles and the Nemean Lion
The first epic in the Heracles and the Twelve Labors series — witness Heracles' legendary battle
against the invincible lion. A tale of strength, fate, and immortal valor.
The second chapter of the Heracles and the Twelve Labors series. Heracles faces the monstrous Hydra —
a dragon-like beast with many heads, each reborn from the last.
A mythic journey of courage, strategy, and divine challenge.
The third chapter of the Heracles and the Twelve Labors series. Heracles faces the ultimate test of mercy by choosing to redeem the ethereal Ceryneian Hind instead of slaying it, while Avery atones through grueling labor, Lily sings the hymn that rebirths the Hydra, and the dark ocean Umbrother awakens, heralding a greater shadow to come.
In Hung Nguyen’s Heracles and the Nemean Lion, the space rings stand out as one of the most inventive and captivating elements of the novel’s magical world. These enchanted artifacts, introduced in the vibrant All-for-You Shop, allow characters to store items in pocket dimensions, blending practicality with a sense of mythic wonder. Infused with the ethereal energy of Luminether, the space rings are more than mere tools—they are a unique feature that enhances the story’s world-building, drives the plot, and adds strategic depth to the YA fantasy narrative. Below, we explore the distinctive qualities, narrative role, and creative brilliance of the space rings, showcasing why they are a highlight of this mythic adventure. What Are the Space Rings? Space rings are magical artifacts that enable their wearers to store and retrieve objects in a personal pocket dimension, described vividly as a “white void” or a “storm cave” tailored to each character’s essence. In Heracles and the Nemean Lio...
A vast, echoing hall stretched endlessly around him. Twelve colossal thrones lined its curved perimeter, each carved from celestial stone and pulsing faintly with power. Seated upon them were twelve figures cloaked in divine light, their faces shrouded in shadow, their eyes unseen. But Heracles felt them watching him. In the center, towering above all others, stood the grandest throne of all. Crafted of gold-veined marble and adorned with radiant gems, it pulsed with a warm, awe-inspiring light. Upon this throne sat a figure draped in majestic robes, a crown of light above his brow. Though his face remained obscured, his presence demanded reverence. When he spoke, the hall trembled. "Heracles, my son." The voice rang like thunder across the mountains, like wind echoing through time. Heracles stood frozen, unable to speak. "Darkness stirs. The world you know will soon fall into chaos. The ancient balance teeters, and a great war is coming—one that shall shake the heavens ...
🏷️ Full Name Argose of Panoptes (The bearer of the “eyes of Argus Panoptes” – The Hundred-Eyed Giant) ⚖️ Role in the Story Argose makes a brief but extremely impactful appearance in Chapter 3: The Scepter Room — as Heracles, Amelinda, and Gwen are leaving the All-for-You Shop. He is ostensibly the cashier and guardian of the shop, but he is fundamentally a Watcher, a Seer, and a Harbinger of fate . His single utterance — “Stay away from the forest.” — becomes the pivotal moment that dictates Heracles' destiny, laying the foundation for the bi-polar chain of tragedy and discovery spanning Chapters 9–16 ( The Nightmare Returns – The Nemean Lion ). 🜂 I. Appearance and Aura Argose is draped in a black cloak that completely conceals his body, revealing only a fraction of his long, curly hair and his icy-blue eyes . He speaks little; his voice is flat, sharp, and resonates like metal striking stone . When he fixes his gaze, the surrounding light seems to dim—imparting a sense of bei...
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