Hercules is a demigod, the son of Zeus, the ruler of all gods, and Alcmene, a human princess of Mycenae. Zeus, the ever-indulgent and cunning ruler, disguised himself as Alcmene’s husband and seduced her.
Hera, Zeus’s loyal wife, heard of his betrayal, she despised his unfaithfulness and deception. Hera lost all self-control, unleashing her wrath upon everything in her path. She would punish Hercules, Zeus’s bastard son. He would feel her pain!
Hera created a potion that would send Hercules mad. She slipped the potion into Hercules’ water. When Hercules returned home, he drank the water, and within seconds the potion had taken effect. Lost in a mad state, Hercules brutally attacked his beloved wife Megara. When Hercules awoke from the effects of the potion, he realised what he had done. In complete despair, he glanced at Megara’s lifeless body, tears cascaded down his face. Hercules' despair rapidly turned into hate, his whole body radiated with a menacing anger and desperation.
Hades, the god of the underworld, who’s opportunist nature was well known, heard of Hera’s jealous tantrum, and came to Hercules to strike a deal. He offered to keep Megara’s soul from making the last journey to the ferryman, if Hercules delivered the Staff of Asclepius. Hades explained that his wife Persephone, aggrieved with his immense power and greatness, had thrown herself into the river of souls. Persephone’s mother then cursed the earth with a plague for her loss. Hades expressed his frustration at the inconvenient influx of souls entering the underworld. With the Staff of Asclepius, he would resurrect Persephone and lift the plague. Hercules agreed, seeing the opportunity to have Megara back, his heart felt hopeful.
Hercules sought out Asclepius, and after hearing Hercules’ story, Asclepius agreed to help Hercules if he proved his worth by completing twelve labours to help humanity. Asclepius cautioned Hercules that he must complete these labours with a pure heart to access the power of the Staff. Hercules agreed without hesitation. He would do anything to have his beloved back.
Hercules completed all of Asclepius’ labours with strength, courage, and resilience, but as he completed each task, his humanity and love for Megara eroded. He basked in the glory of fame and heroism, every woman chased him, and every man wanted to be him. Obsessed with power and glory, he returned to Asclepius with a new intention. Instead of resurrecting Megara, he would keep the Staff to control humanity while the curse raged on.
A now unrecognisable soul in a familiar skin approached Asclepius. Hercules demanded the staff, showing evidence that he had completed all twelve tasks. Asclepius agreed and handed Hercules the Staff, knowing the fate of those who try to use it without a pure heart.
Hercules held the Staff out like a hero, he waved it at the people who were begging him for help from the plague, but as he tried to use the Staff, it transformed into a snake, it hissed, and lunged at Hercules, sinking its teeth into his arm, instantly injecting its venom. Hercules dropped the Staff as his vision blurred, his heart beat rapidly, he staggered, falling to his knees. He knew he was dying, suddenly he thought of Megara, and how he had lost his way. He felt deep sorrow and the bitter pain of regret as his life slowly slipped away.
The sound of a familiar voice awakened Hercules. Hades stood looking down at him, with the Staff of Asclepius in his hand and Persephone by his side. “So, you tried to deceive me,” Hades said with a knowing smirk. “Welcome to the Underworld!”
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