Heracles

Zeus’ champion is named Heracles?” Brody said as the crowd in the agora cheered. “ That’s weird. His name sounds almost like ‘Hercules. ’” “ He is Hercules, you dummy! ” Julia slapped herself on the forehead. “ I knew all those stories about Alcides sounded familiar. They were about Heracles! I forgot that Zeus renamed him to honor Hera. ” “ Honor her, or annoy her?” Markos asked. A shiver went through Brody as he glanced at Hera. She was glaring at Zeus with fury. Brody almost expected real fire to shoot out of her eyes—sort of like Ares’ hair.

“ I still don’t understand. ” Brody turned to face Julia. “ If that’s Hercules, why did Zeus just call him Heracles? Did Alcides change his name again later?” “ No. ‘Heracles’ is the way the Greeks say the name, ” Julia explained. “ ‘Hercules’ is the way the ancient Romans said it. ” “ Everyone on TV says ‘Hercules’ too, ” Brody said. “ Why can’t they all call him the same thing?” Markos looked troubled. “ So you know of Zeus’ champion?” he asked slowly. “ From the future?” “ Of course. ” Julia paced back and forth on the tiny roof. “ He’s the most famous ancient hero of all time! This changes everything! ”

“ What do you mean?” Brody was still watching Heracles. The muscular youth was moving through the crowd, shaking hands and smiling at people. He was only a few yards away now, so Brody could get a good look at him. And what he saw made his heart sink. Heracles seemed to have more muscles than Brody’s entire football team put together! “ I mean . . . ” Julia stopped pacing. She glanced around to make sure nobody was looking up at them, and then stepped closer to the two boys.

When she spoke again, her voice was low and urgent. “ I mean, Heracles isn’t really a mortal. He’s half god! There’s no way any true mortal will be able to beat him in the Games. ” Markos gasped. “ He’s half god? So the rumors are true! He’s Zeus’ son?” “ Yes, ” Julia said grimly. “ And I bet Hera knows it too. Maybe she’s jealous of the other woman. ” “ You up there! ” a voice interrupted from below. “ Mortal children! Where is Hermes?” Brody glanced over the edge of the roof. Apollo and Artemis were looking up at them.

“ We don’t know where he is, ” Brody told the two gods. “ He flew off when we got here. ” “ Well, we need to find him. ” Apollo vaulted up onto the roof, landing lightly beside Brody. He peered out at the crowd. “ Yes, and quickly, ” Artemis added, joining her brother. “ This Heracles is much more impressive than we expected. Perhaps Hermes can help us figure out how to defeat him. ” Brody was glad that the gods also seemed worried about Heracles. At least they realized it would be nearly impossible to beat Zeus’ mighty-looking champion.

“ I see Hermes! ” Artemis pointed with her bow. Brody caught a glimpse of Hermes hovering above the crowd, halfway across the agora. Then the messenger god dropped down into the crowd and was lost from view. “ Hurry, sister. Let’s catch him before he disappears. ” Apollo leaped down from the roof as if it were no higher than a step. Artemis followed. As she did, the end of her bow hit Julia on the shoulder. “ Oh! ” Julia cried, losing her balance.