Name: Hercules

Age: 28

Story:

“My son.” Zeus held the baby boy in his arms. The child screamed and wailed as the umbilical cord separated him from his mother. Shortly after, the god took his son out of the tent and into the bright son. The bright, young, green eyes squinted in the sudden light. Another man came out of the tent and put his hand on Zeus’ shoulder.

“The mortal is dead. Another one that could not handle giving birth to a halfling.” The man said. Zeus sighed and looked at his son with sorrowful eyes.

“And she had such promise too. Thank you Poseidon, brother.” Zeus looked up from his son for the first time since he was born to look at his brother.

“You know what that means.” Poseidon held his hands out for the child.

Zeus sighed and handed the child over. “I have better things to do anyway.” he said in a deep voice then disappeared. Poseidon rolled his eyes at his brother but took off into the mountains anyway. Soon he approached upon a small cottage built into a cavern and knocked on the door. A short and rather large woman opened the door only to sigh when she saw the man at her door.

“When will you mortals stop this stupid experiment?” she asked putting her hands on her hips.

“It worked.” Poseidon stated simply.

“What?” the woman’s arms dropped from her hips.

“His mother survived the birth.”

“Then why are you bringing me the child?”

“Because I killed his mother.”

“What for?” The woman cried in outrage.

“That is none of your business, mortal!” Poseidon roared.

The woman took a step back.

The water god took a deep breath. “Sorry, but you do not get to know why. All you must do is take care of the child and keep him from Zeus like you do the others.”

The woman messed with the front of her dress, smoothing out non-existent winkles. “He is going to be different, yes?” She asked in a shaking voice.

“Yes.” he sighed holding the child out. The woman took the child and cradled him to her bosom.

“Tell me what I must do for him.” She said with the authority she did not have.

“I will come back and talk to him as he develops his powers.” Poseidon turned to leave when the woman called his name. He sighed and turned back to her.

“The name? What do I call him?” she asked.

“His name is Hercules. Zeus named this one, so you must be extra careful.”
The lady nodded her understanding then turned her back to him and shut the door. “Children!” she called as she walked deeper into the house that was much bigger than it appeared to be on the outside. Six other children came running in ranging from ages of sixteen to two years old. “Meet your new baby brother, Hercules.” She knelt down so all the children could come get a closer look at the new member of her family.
A young boy with long blond hair ran down the hallway, he was probably ten years of age. A girl, just a few years younger than him, was chasing after him. Giggling filled the house as the little girl chased her brother. “Hercy! You run too fast!” the little girl fell on her butt in the kitchen and started to cry.

The boy, Hercules, walked back over to his little sister laughing. “You’re such a faker!” he told her as he knelt down in front of her. She stuck her tongue out at him and he reached out and grabbed her waist before she could run away again. She giggled as he pulled her into a tight hug. Hercules smiled down at his baby sister. Of all his siblings, Amelia was his favorite. She could make any frown on his face shift with the slightest look. She was is rock when it felt like his life was nothing but a tornado. “Herc! You are hugging me too tight!” she squealed. Instantly he let her go and she took a step back, breathing a little hard. “You sure are getting strong, mister!” she said poking at his arms.

About then, an older boy of about nineteen walked in. He had jet black hair and stormy grey eyes. “Go away.” Hercules said without looking up to see his oldest brother. Jerico and Hercules had never really gotten along, Jerico always felt entitled and had a better-than-thou attitude because he was the first born. With this entitled attitude, he quickly became the bully. He would do anything to any of his siblings in order to get his way. Everyone, besides Hercules, was scared of the eldest brother and his temper. Hercules was the only sibling that didn’t bend backwards to appease his older brother which meant the two boys were never on good terms.

Jerico crossed his arms. “Go to hell, Hercy.” he said with a sneer.

Hercules stood up “Whenever you are in the room, I am already in hell.”

Jerico smiled wickedly. “Good. Am, you have to do the dishes.”

Amelia, who was standing a little behind Hercules crossed her arms. “I did them yesterday! Today is your turn.” she said bravely.

“Do the dishes, dumbo. Or I will take away your playing privileges.”

“You cannot do that!” Hercules stepped in.

“Watch me!” Jerico sneered.

When it came to messing with him, Hercules did not care what he did, but he was not going to stand by and allow his sister to be bullied. Without thinking, he lunged at Jerico with his fists flying. The boys fell in a heap on the floor. Amelia squealed and covered her mouth, but the squeal was loud enough that it alerted their mother. Her hollering could be heard as the older woman made her way to the room. Jerico and Hercules froze for a moment.

“Why you little piece of -” Jerico reached for the youngest sibling, but Hercules managed to grab her arm and pull her behind him. Yet it all happened so fast… All he wanted to to do was grab his baby sister and pull her to safety behind him. Instead he grabbed her arm in such a tight drip that it broke the bone cleanly in half, and instead of setting her down safely he ended up throwing her through the wall. He turned after he felt her leave his grip and his mouth fell open.

“Amelia!” Their mother rushed in and to the little girls side. After a few moments, she picked up the lifeless body and started to cry hysterically. Hercules sat on his knees, tears running down his face. Jarico walked up behind the younger brother and put his hand on his shoulder. “Welcome to hell.” he whispered then took a step away as the other siblings came into the room.

“Murderer!” Jerico accused. A confused, young Hercules looked around at all the accusing and disbelieving faces of his family.

“I didn’t mean too!” he cried desperately. All of a sudden a dark shadow appeared in the doorway and every turned to face the large, muscular man. Dark blue eyes peered only at Hercules. “You are coming with me, son.” he said calmly but his voice still resembled the sound of thunder and demanded attention as well as obedience.

Without knowing how, Hercules knew this man was his father. “You are no longer safe here.” He turned and walked out, expecting Hercules to follow. The ten-year-old boy looked back at the dead body of his sister with tears streaming down his face, then he turned and started to follow his father.

“Papa!” Jerico called, following closely behind Hercules. “Take me too!” he begged. Zeus did not even look back or acknowledge the eldest son. Jerico grabbed Hercules’ shoulder causing him to stop. “You will pay for this, Herc!” He said angrily. “If it is the last thing I do, I will kill you!”

Hercules formed a fist and slammed it into the older boy’s face knocking him out cold. “That was for Amelia!” he growled then hurried after his father once again.