Fourth Labor - Triton's Conch (2)
Heracles examined the figure that had appeared with the roaring spray of water.
The being was covered in scales, with something resembling a dolphin's tail instead of legs, and his piercing blue eyes radiated power, marking him unmistakably as a divine entity.
"Lord Triton! That brute seems to be a hunter pretending to be Heracles!"
"I'm glad you're safe. Leave now; I’ll deal with this human myself."
So, this strange creature was Triton, the son of the sea god Poseidon?
'First, I need to clear up this misunderstanding about attempting to abduct the nymphs.'
"Are you truly Triton, son of Lord Poseidon?"
"Indeed, I am Triton, the one who calls upon the waves. Now tell me, what gave you the audacity to try and abduct the Nereids?"
"I swear by the River Styx, I had no intention of abducting the nymphs!"
In Greek society, serious misunderstandings were often resolved quickly. Swearing by the River Styx was something no one took lightly. Forcing such a vow on someone was a great offense, but if one was truly innocent, they could prove their sincerity by making this sacred oath.
"...Really? And you also claim to be Heracles?"
"Yes, that's correct. I am on a labor for Lady Hera, and I was only seeking your conch shell as part of my task."
Upon hearing Heracles swear by the River Styx, Triton’s hostility subsided, and Heracles took the opportunity to explain the details of his labor.
"...I see. So Lady Hera has given you this task. You must know how important the conch is to me. Are you asking to borrow it, then?"
"Once it's confirmed at Hera’s temple, I will return it to you."
Triton hesitated for a moment, studying Heracles with a curious gaze.
"Hmm, so it was all just a misunderstanding. I suppose I owe you an apology."
"......"
"But... you’re really that Heracles, huh. Interesting."
"Do you have something to ask me?"
"I’ve heard that you once sparred with Megaira, one of the Furies. Although I’m sure she went easy on you, your abilities must be quite impressive to be able to contend with a god."
Triton stretched his hand toward the sea, and the waves responded by crashing against the shore with force. The god before Heracles was not only Poseidon's son but the ruler of the ocean.
"I’d like to test the abilities of the so-called greatest hero among mortals. Let’s have a brief sparring match."
This was another opportunity to prove himself to the gods—a challenge, a trial, and an ordeal!
"It would be an honor! Hylas, stay back!"
"Hmph. Come at me with everything you’ve got."
New novel 𝓬hapters are published on freёwebnoѵel.com.
With a fierce grin, Heracles raised his iron club and charged at Triton.
The mighty hero hurled himself toward the god with all his strength.
First, he unleashed his reliable companion: shock and awe, in the form of his iron club.
"...Oh ho!"
A swing aimed at Triton’s head. Triton effortlessly twisted his body to dodge the strike, but Heracles continued his relentless onslaught. The same strength that had overcome the Hydra’s regenerative abilities fueled the barrage. If he could land hundreds, thousands of strikes...!
Whoosh—Boom!
Triton responded by dodging, creating barriers of water, and using his own body to absorb the blows. When Heracles’s club shattered into pieces against the god's iron-hard body, the hero threw a punch.
Thwack!
The fists of the hero and the god collided in midair, causing a shockwave. Sand exploded around them, and the advancing waves broke apart.
Unbothered by their surroundings, they continued their fight. A faint smile appeared on Triton’s lips. Before long, the golden sword at Heracles’s waist was in his hand, slashing through the air, but Triton parried each strike with his claws.
"Oh ho. You’re not just a brute who relies on strength alone..."
Triton’s admiration was evident, but it wasn’t enough for Heracles. What he truly wanted to hear wasn’t admiration, but shock and acknowledgment.
Triton still hadn’t used his full divine power, at least not once. Heracles wanted to see it!
"Haah... how is Lady Megaira so fast? She dodged my final attack like it was nothing..."
"That’s the power of a god... You’d understand if you became one yourself..."
Heracles moved even faster now, slicing through the air toward his target. He didn’t care about divine power or authority. Even without such blessings, he would...
Whoosh—!!
"Haahp!"
Heracles’s attacks became even fiercer, and something flickered in Triton’s eyes. In that instant, reflected in Triton’s gaze was Heracles’s fist flying toward his face.
If this punch landed, it would certainly reach the god.
As Heracles’s fist neared Triton’s nose, the god’s smile deepened, and with it, a surge of deep blue energy exploded outward.
Wham!
Heracles was flung back, rolling across the sandy shore. His body, strengthened by the River Styx, felt a sharp sting.
As he spat out the sand that had entered his mouth, he realized what had happened. Just as his fist was about to land, he had been swept away by Triton’s overwhelming aura. As expected of Poseidon's son. Not quite one of the Olympian Twelve, but still...
Clap, clap, clap.
Heracles looked up to see Triton clapping, a hint of excitement in his voice.
"You truly are the prophesied hero! There’s no mortal who could stand against you. If you’re this strong, even he won’t be able to kill you..."
"...Who are you talking about?"
"If you take care of one small problem for me, I’ll lend you my conch."
"What would that be?"
"Teach a little lesson to my half-brother, Polyphemus, the Cyclops."
A half-brother and a Cyclops? That would mean he’s also a son of Poseidon, but a one-eyed giant?
Polyphemus was a demigod, born to Poseidon and a nymph.
Polyphemus had been infatuated with the sea nymph Galatea, pursuing her relentlessly. However, she despised him and fell in love with Acis, a son of Pan, the god of nature and shepherds.
"Ugh... Aaaargh! I’ll kill you all!"
Boom!
"Urgh!"
"Kyah! Polyphemus! Are you insane?!"
In his rage, Polyphemus ripped a massive boulder from the ground and hurled it at them. Galatea escaped into the sea just in time, but Acis was crushed to death beneath the rock.
Since then, Polyphemus had spent his days throwing rocks at passing ships and indulging in cannibalism.
Triton’s eyes reflected bitterness as he explained the tale to Heracles.
"My father, Poseidon, doesn’t pay much attention to his children. But after a certain scoundrel was killed, he’s changed a little."
"...?"
"There was a ruffian named Halirrhothius. If you don’t know him, it doesn’t matter. Anyway, after that incident, my father told me to start keeping my siblings in line."
Heracles hadn’t heard of Halirrhothius, but it seemed that Poseidon, for once, couldn’t ignore his children’s misdeeds. And now, he had tasked Triton with managing his siblings.
"So, if I make sure this Cyclops, Polyphemus, stops his cannibalism, will you lend me your conch?"
"Exactly. And make sure he stops throwing rocks at passing ships, too. Don’t worry about the consequences of harming the sea god’s son."
"I thought Lord Poseidon was very protective of his children."
"Don’t worry about my father’s wrath. As long as you don’t kill him or blind him, it’ll be fine."
Heracles took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts. If he could stop Polyphemus, the son of Poseidon, from wreaking havoc, he would be able to obtain Triton’s conch.
But... teaching a lesson? When it came to discipline...
Heracles’s mind wandered back to his past.
"Aaagh! Teacher Chiron! I’m sorry!"
"You still have the strength to speak? You clearly haven’t learned your lesson yet."
"Aaaaah! Please, stop hitting me!"
Thwack! Whack!
"Hmm... You say you caused trouble before you arrived here in the underworld? Fine, get down."
"What? What’s wrong with beating up a fool who annoyed me... Ugh!"
"Get down!!!"
All Heracles could remember was his teacher, Chiron, wielding a cane to "educate" him.
Of course, Heracles had been immune to physical pain, so Chiron had mostly lectured him. But for other students aspiring to be heroes, it had been different.
Chiron’s teaching had involved strict discipline, corporal punishment, and a thorough education in moral character.
Now that he thought about it... maybe he could do something similar? If Polyphemus didn’t listen, he could always discipline him physically... right?
As Heracles pondered, Triton spoke.
"Have you made up your mind? If you don’t want to face Polyphemus..."
"I’ll do it."
"Oh, so you’re confident enough to deal with a Cyclops. Very well. I’ll tell you where he lives."
Triton shared the location of Polyphemus’s home with Heracles. He lived in a cave on an island, tending to sheep and living somewhat isolated from other Cyclopes.