Heracles finally arrived at the two towering hills described by the Old Man of the Sea.
It is a very beautiful garden indeed.
Flowers and trees from various parts of the world can be found in the garden. Heracles noticed that there's not a single Hesperides was in sight, which means that they're away at the moment. Good, it was better that way.
As he walks around the garden, Heracles can't help but feels that he finally found peace and think that it will be great to stay here in the garden.
But the Demigod Son of Zeus shook his head, snapping out of the spell. "Focus, Heracles. You have a task."
He began searching for the apples of the Hesperides. It took some time, but finally, he spotted it, a massive golden tree at the heart of the garden.
The shining fruit was unmistakableâthe legendary golden apples of Hera, that Eurystheus wanted.
Just as he reached out and plucked one, his instincts screamed a warning. A shadow loomed from behind the tree.
It was a monstrous dragon. Its serpentine body gleamed like molten copper, and from its shoulders sprouted a hundred hissing snake heads heads. Each head glared at Heracles with venomous malice.
Before Heracles could react, Ladon's massive tail lashed out, striking him like a bolt of thunder. The force sent him crashing across the garden. Groaning, Heracles rose to his feet, dusting himself off.
"Well, that wasn't very hospitable," he muttered.
Ladon hissed and growled but remained coiled protectively around the golden tree, unwilling to stray from its post. And kill the Demigod for stealing a Apple.
Heracles studied the creature, his brow furrowed in thought. "You're a tough one, huh? Guess I've got no choice."
With a single step, Heracles surged forward. Drawing back his fist, he launched a devastating punch that connected squarely with Ladon's body.
The impact was catastrophic. Ladon didn't even have time to roar. The dragon's hundred heads were obliterated in an instant, its body disintegrating into dust that scattered on the wind.
The garden trembled violently, unable to withstand the force of the blow. Trees toppled, flowers withered, and the golden apple tree shattered into pieces. The once-beautiful paradise was reduced to ruins.
Heracles stood amidst the destruction, staring at his fist in dismay. "I didn't mean to hit that hardâŠ"
From a distance, he heard faint cries. Turning, he spotted Zoe and her sistersâthe nymphs of the gardenâstaring at the wreckage in horror. Their home, their sanctuary, was gone. Homeless and jobless, they don't even want to see how Hera would react or punish them.
Heracles scratched the back of his head, feeling a pang of guilt. "Uh⊠sorry about that," he offered weakly.
But their glares told him he wouldn't be forgiven.
Unsure what to say or do, Heracles quickly left with the last golden apple, that he already took before killing Ladon and made his way out of the ruins.
As he left, he sighed deeply. "One punch⊠that's all it took. Too easy. Too sad."
Even for this Demigod, victory could sometimes feel hollow. He wants to fight something strong, Father, where is the Promised Fight you did promise me.
