(WOMAN SINGS ETHEREALLY) www.able.co.nz Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Able 2016 (ARROWS WHOOSH) (GARBLED SHOUTING) (MEN SCREAM) (HUBBUB) (INDISTINCT SHOUTING) (MAN SHOUTS) (SOLDIERS ECHO) MAN: Hold the line! (HORSE NEIGHS) Archers, hold! (MEN SHOUT) King Galenus of Argos! Show yourself! My sword against yours. Victor takes all! This city, or mine, its army, riches, subjects, all! Not another soldier will die! And I could do to replenish my ranks. What say you, most brave and merciful King of Argos? Will you spare these men? GALENUS: King Amphitryon, I accept your challenge. Prepare to die. (MEN CHEER) (GRUNTS) (BOTH GRUNT) Ugh! (GROANS) (SWORD RINGS) (GRUNTS) (GRUNTS) (SHOUTS) (SOLDIERS CHEER) (SHOUTS) (MEN CHANT) Amphitryon! Amphitryon! Amphitryon! Amphitryon! Amphitryon! Amphitryon! Amphitryon! (TRIUMPHANT MUSIC) (CHEERING AND LAUGHTER) The campaign ends here, for now. Chiron told me you took Egypt because they attacked our ships. That's right. But Argos, our neighbour, they presented no threat. I see Chiron has been expanding your curriculum. (SNIGGERS) I do not need a tutor to tell me when there's peace. I took Argos for you. (SCOFFS) For me? You took Argos for its gold. Yes. That too. I'm told they're obsessed with the gods here, just like you. You know, if they had as many soldiers as they have priests, it would be my body on the pyre tonight. You summoned me, Majesty? How is Prince Iphicles tonight? What will you teach him, Chiron? Will you teach him war? It can't be ignored, Majesty. History is but a chronicle of war. And war is but a chronicle of grief recounted in the tears of young men's mothers. Sometimes, Majesty, I question who between us is tutor and who is student. In my own vanity, I thought I could bring tenderness to a man whose craving for power is sated by nothing and only grows with each victory. No god's wrath could bring such anguish as my king has beset upon this land. And so I prostrate myself before you, Goddess. Deliver us from this curse. Help my people. Majesty! (GASPS) Hera accepts your gift. Goddess Hera? (YOUNG WOMAN'S VOICE) Queen Alcmene, approach. Majesty, no! Closer. Let me look upon you. You will have your deliverer. Another son you shall bear. No. Please, not by this man. Please, Goddess... Tell me, would you betray your king as my king betrays me in his lust for you? Would you have his mortal son to quell your sorrow and bring peace to this land? Would you bear the son of Zeus? For the sake of peace, I would. Then, for the sake of peace, I shall permit it. Name him what you wish, but I shall know him as Hercules. Hercules. (PEOPLE CHATTER) (JOYFUL MUSIC PLAYS) (OMINOUS MUSIC) (GRUNTS) (THUNDER RUMBLES) (GASPS AND GROANS) (GRUNTS) (DEEP GROWL) (GROANS AND PANTS) (BOTH LAUGH) (DEEP GROWL) (MOANS) (SHOUTS) (SCREAMS) (GROANS AND PANTS) Where is he?! Where?! Where?! (GRUNTS) (SCREAMS) (WHIMPERS) Who is he? Who is this man you spurn me for night after night? WHO? (SCREAMS) Please, Majesty... Where is he? Please! Arrgh! My King! (GRUNTS) Intruder! Search the camp! Find him! Find him! (SCREAMS) (GHOSTLY HOWL) (ALCMENE GROANS AND WAILS) (BABY CRIES) Speak. It's a boy, sire. A fine, large boy. (BABY CRIES) His name will be Alcides and he will never be an equal to his older brother. (DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES) Hercules. Your name shall be Hercules. (STIRRING MUSIC) (HORSE WHINNIES AND SNORTS) Be careful, there are snakes in the trees! I didn't know you fear them! Watch out! (GASPS) (HORSE WHINNIES) So, what else do you fear? I fear but one thing. Always have. Your departure each and every time. Is this another private hideaway? You just wait. I think you'll like it. (CHUCKLES) (GRUNTS) Alcides! Stop! (VOICE ECHOES) (GASPS) (GASPS) Alcides! (VOICE ECHOES) Lose something? (GASPS) You made me nearly faint with fright! (LAUGHS) Come on, come here. (HORSE NEIGHS) HERCULES: I like your necklace. My mother once gave this as a parting gift to my father. And though she's with the gods now... ..I want you to have it. It's only stone, but I wish it were gold. I wish there were a substance finer than that to have you remember me by. There is... ..in my mind's eye... ..where your face has been etched since the day I first saw you. (HORSES SNORT AND GRUNT) (HORSE WHINNIES) (GRUNTS) Careful, brother. Your horse could have lost its footing. You be careful, brother. Princess, your father is worried. A search party was dispatched. It's lucky you knew where to find us. Yes. Though I'd rather it had been some other man's luck. (HORSES NEIGH) Princess, you rode out without saying a word. And what word would have permitted me to? Captain, see the princess back to the palace. There is a feast tonight and she must not be late. Yes, My Prince. No, brother. You ride with me. We'll see each other tonight. Hyah! Hyah! Saw your hoof marks in the forest. Tell me, what would you have done if she'd been thrown and broken her neck? I thought you knew her better. More likely I would break my neck. I saw more than hoof marks today. Did you? Watch yourself! I've known her just as long as you have, and with a more mature eye! I'm older than you, Alcides, and heir to this throne! (CREATURE GROWLS) (HORSE NEIGHS) (CREATURE GROWLS AND SNORTS) Let's back away slowly. Don't turn your horse. No, let's escape. Your horse can outrun it. Yours wouldn't. (CREATURE GRUNTS) (CREATURE GROWLS) What are you doing! (CREATURE BRAYS) Now, back your horse behind me. Oh, yes, of course. And what a tale of bravery the next king of Tiryns will have to tell tonight. Iphicles! The point of this was for one of us to get away. (CREATURE GRUNTS AND SNARLS) A Nemean lion. IPHICLES: The man eater that can't be killed! Ahh! (GROWLS) Our spears are useless! (GRUNTS) No! (SNARLS) (HERCULES GRUNTS) Alcides! (BOTH GRUNT) (CRACK!) (FOREBODING MUSIC) 2 AMPHITRYON: Ah, Iphicles. Where have you been? What is that thing? Take it off. Why, it appears to be the skin of the Nemean lion. (PEOPLE GASP) The lion which I killed but two hours ago. Look, this is where it struck. You see, Father? But I'm alright. No cut to the eye. Where was your brother in this contest? Alcides? He ran away at the first sign of danger. (OTHERS MURMUR) Have you ever known my brother flee danger? Have you, Princess? No. Never. Well, I thought you knew him better than that. (OTHERS MUTTER) Tell them, Father, so it has a chance to sink into some of the thicker heads here. My friend, King Tallas the brave, ruler of Crete, we have enjoyed free commerce between our lands. Tonight we make a bargain for something far greater. The peace between our houses will be sealed four moons hence with the harvest moon, when my heir, Prince Iphicles, will take the Princess of Crete to be his wife! (APPLAUSE AND CHEERING) Yes! (LAUGHS) Hebe! Hebe, stop! (HORSE WHINNIES) Hyah! Hyah! (HORSE NEIGHS) (GRUNTS) Why don't you enlighten me on what just happened? I believe the announcement took them by surprise, Father. The only surprise is that you allowed her to behave in such a manner without even lifting a finger, lion slayer. What could I have done? (SIGHS) I am Amphitryon the Conqueror, ruler of the realm, vanquisher of Argos. You are my son, and tonight you stood and watched as your future wife made a fool of you and me in front of our most formidable threat, Crete. Look at them. It makes you look weak. I'm sorry, Father. I don't want you to be sorry. I want you to be a man. You're the future king of Tiryns. Act like it. Hebe! Hebe, stop! Stop! Stop! (HORSES NEIGH AND SNORT) Come here. I won't marry him. I'd rather die. I love you. And I love you. I need you strong. Are you strong? I want to leave with you tonight. (DRAMATIC MUSIC) (WAR CRIES) If we can make it across the river to Tyga, the King's men won't follow us. (MEN SHOUT AGGRESSIVELY) MAN: There they are! That's them! Go, Hebe, ride west! No, I won't leave you! I'll be right behind you. Go! Go! After them! You two, follow her! Now! (HERCULES GRUNTS) Arrgh! Make haste! You heard the orders! Don't hurt the prince! (GRUNTS) Arggh! Ugh! Ahh! Hyah! Come on! Hyah! Hyah! Hyah! Up ahead! There! (GASPS) Hyah! Hyah! Faster! Hyah! Stop! Stop! (SCREAMS) Alcides! Stop! (HORSE WHINNIES) (HEBE SCREAMS) Hebe! Help! Alcides! Help! (GRUNTS) (SOLDIER YELLS) (CRIES OUT) Alcides! (BOTH PANT) SOLDIER: There they are! Yah! (MEN GRUNT AND SHOUT) (DOOR UNLATCHES AND OPENS) Captain Sotiris. Is the Fourth Battalion ready to sail tomorrow? 160 men, Your Grace, ready and accounted for, as you commanded. Good. You'll take half. No more. Half? You are young. Learn to keep 80 in line and we'll see about expanding your command. You disapprove? No, Your Grace. We'll be victorious and honour your name. I have him, Father! I understand you're having some trouble with the arrangements we've made. Your arrangements you may find spoiled by the next harvest moon. I think not. You sail to Egypt tomorrow. There's been a revolt in Heliopolis, north of the Nile River delta. You will enjoy war, Alcides, and you will forget all this. I certainly don't fear for your survival. May your mother's gods be with you, if they be at all. IPHICLES: Ask him about Hebe. AMPHITYRON: One final thing. Your brother here seems obsessed with the thought that you've taken the girl's maidenhood. Why don't you reassure him that's not the case? Certainly, I shall. I assure you, brother... ..it's none of your business. (GROWLS AND GRUNTS) (CRUNCH!) Ahh! I wish you endless victories in the battlefield, brother. Because if you return here, I will kill you. (DOGS BARK) Alcides, I beg you to understand that you have a purpose on this earth beyond this one desire. I've no purpose other than claiming the love that is mine! And I damn the King for denying it to me and I damn the gods for taking it from me! No, Hercules! Majesty, no. 'Majesty'? What did you call me? You are not the son of Amphitryon. I swear on my love for you, you are Hercules, gift of Hera, son of Zeus. Chiron. My Prince. Has my mother spoken of this to anyone? No. I assure you, no-one. Because the King is a jealous man and most likely believe this mad talk. (DRAMATIC MUSIC) (MAN SHOUTS) Halt! Open the gates! Company, forward! Move up the rear! Move up the rear! Alcides! Hold! MAN: Company halt! Have heart, my love, I WILL return before you know it. And you will be marrying me! Three moons from now! MAN: Move out! Move! (DRAMATIC MUSIC) (BIRDS SQUAWK) (MAN SHOUTS ORDERS) (MEN LAUGH AND CHATTER) What troubles you? The King first ordered my full company, and he halved it just before we left. There's no campaign underway. Peace is secured in Crete. Two divisions lay idle in camp. Why would that fool deny me even the smallest excess of troops? We do not know what awaits us in Heliopolis. (STIRRING MUSIC) MAN 1: Halt! MAN 2: Halt! Horus Pass. We'll be there by sunset and make camp. There must be another way than through a pass. Not with our numbers. Our route was changed as well. And your father wants us in Heliopolis a day sooner. Scouts forward! (SCOUTS SHOUT) (HORSES WHINNY) MAN: Oh, well done! (SOTIRIS CHUCKLES) (SPLASH!) Plenty of water for all! Cold and clean. (LAUGHS) Any word of the scouts? It's been too long since they left. Make camp here. Feed the horses and the men. Now, we need 20 volunteers on foot 'cause we're gonna secure the passage. (BIRD SQUAWKS) (SOTIRIS LAUGHS) Some say the golden eagle's a sign from Zeus. Yes. And some believe it's just a bird. (MEN SHOUT) (RATTLING AND CREAKING) Sotiris. Men, fall back to the camp. MAN: Move it out! (MEN GRUNT) (MAN SHOUTS) I led them to their deaths. (DEEP GROWL) All lines, retreat! Back the way we came! (MEN SHOUT) Battle formation! Testudo! Archers! -(SCREAMS) -(MEN GRUNT) (ALL SHOUT) (ALL SHOUT) (GRUNTS) (GRUNTS) (SCREAMS) (CHARGERS SHOUT) Arrgh! Archers, form up! (ALL SHOUT) We're the only two left! Take them alive! (MEN SHOUT) Arggh! Arggh! (PANTS) Commander Tarak. Over here. The prince's helmet. Who is the captain? I am. (PANTS) Is this the helmet of the prince named Alcides? -Is it? -Yes. Where does he lie? (LAUGHS) (SPITS) There. Arggh! Where does he lie? (PANTS) He lies there. Where you got it. (PANTS) Ahh! Take this to their king. Captain, you have a strong will, but this one, even half dead, he's twice as strong as my best fighter. If I thought you'd live, I'd sell you both for a princely sum. Ugh! Sell us. Sell us! Sell us. We WILL live. Who are you, soldier? Hercules. 3 (STIRRING MUSIC) (WEEPS) (MAN SCREAMS) (WHIP RIPS) (MAN SHOUTS) (GRUNTS) (HERCULES GRUNTS) I cooled it off for you. (SCREAMS) There's far worse pain awaiting where you two are going. SOTIRIS: Would the King really do it? Sacrifice his own men to ensure the death of one? His own son? (WHIPPING AND SCREAMING CONTINUE) Why did you choose to live? (MAN SHOUTS AND WHIPS) (MAN 2 SCREAMS) Do you know of the engagement between my brother Iphicles and Hebe, Princess of Crete? Yes. It was announced before our departure. I must make it back to Tiryns before the wedding. Will you stay by my side? I'll make you a guest of honour at what shall be my wedding. (SNIGGERS) I fear you've been within the palace walls too long, My Prince. MAN: Come on, get on your feet! I've travelled the world and I know what's out there. Oh, you're wrong. Surely you have something to return to. Of course. A wife and a son. Then set your mind on them. And nothing else. (SIGHS) So, tell me... ..who is this 'Hercules'? I don't yet know. (MEN CHANT) Pull! (MEN GRUNT) (MAN SHOUTS) Get up! IPHICLES: Mother? Are you sick, Mother? Do I seem so? Often. At the sight of me. This is foolish talk. You are my son. The one who is living. Yet I feel more absent than the one who is not. Iphicles, we are both grieving. But in this sea of grief there must be a drop of felicitation. I am to be wed three moons hence. Yes. You are right. You have won yourself a fine bride. A bride, yes. But have I won a wife? She will serve you well. Is this my hope? Mother, how do I win her as my father won you? Please. I am not Alcides. I know that. To her or to you. Your father won me but for a moment which passed so fast I cannot remember it. This is what you will have with Hebe. This is what has come of it, a marriage that she does not want. And the death of your brother. (CROWD CHANTS) Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! (MAN WAILS) (DOGS BARK) I paid good money for both of you. I expect a return. (CROWD CHANTING CONTINUES) SOTIRIS: Hercules, what is it? It's the first full moon. And she does not even know I live. (WISTFUL MUSIC) (FIGHTERS GRUNT) Ahh! Come on! You miserable misers! I was told you Sicilians had money! (MEN CHEER) Who wants to bet on Sotiris? (CROWD CHANTS) Tell me, friend, can you win your way out of here? Oh, yes. That way. (CROWD CHEERS) (SONOROUS ORCHESTRAL MUSIC) (MAN SHOUTS) Who do you think you are?! You're next, Greek. You'd better win just as much as your friend there. Or perhaps you prefer to breathe mud. You said, "Stay by my side." I say we're doomed. I promise you, I WILL return you to your family. CROWD: Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! (CROWD BOOS) (GASPS AND GRUNTS) CROWD: Ohh! (GRUNTS) Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! (THUNDER RUMBLES) You called for me. I am here. Thank you for joining me so that Hera may bless this marriage. Why do you look at me this way? Have you found peace, Alcmene? If you will tell me how my son found his death, I would. Will you tell me how he found life? Yes. Yes, Amphitryon, at long last I will tell. He was not my son, I know it! Do not dare deny it! Oh, I will not. Who sired him? Tell me! Do you even know? How many lovers did you take? One! You lie! I took one for a single night and for a single purpose - to put an end to your rule, to... Ahh! Arggh! Tell me! Zeus! Zeus came to my bed and planted a seed in me to spawn a son to end your tyranny! And now you have murdered the son of the god of gods and you are doomed. You are doomed. (SNIGGERS) Ahh! (THUNDER BOOMS) You're doomed. (GROANS) No! No! The Queen, in her grief, has taken her own life. You made me a fortune today, Hercules. Your trifles are of no interest to me. Well, now, a man of great enterprise. "Great enterprise". You want real enterprise, you take us to Greece. Greece? The kingdoms of Greece. Your games would draw thousands. What of it? I draw thousands here. (SNIGGERS) Thousands of laughs, he means. Laughs? What do you mean? Let me put it this way. In King Amphitryon's lands, sport is war and war is sport. And between the two, the King is Hades' most reliable supplier. Now, they hold an event once a year that is the most elaborate, beautiful and rich affair. You know, actually, it's not for you. No, it's the pure stuff there, none of this slipping in mud, dancing on beams, oh, no. Just men on solid ground wielding bronze forged into shapes even the tyrant king himself could not have conceived of. How is the wagering? (SNIGGERS) How's the wagering? Hmm? My friend, I doubt you have the imagination to even dream of it. For example, in the final contest, and that is the richest contest, mind you... ..two men fight against six. Six that have never been beaten. Now, if they win, well, the two go free. But the odds would be against it. You'd find advantage in that, I'm sure. But if they win... Tidy sum of gold in it for you. Why would I fight you two? We've never lost. Neither have they. Cut his head off, he'd not be any dumber. One must fight with brawn AND brain. Mind your words, my friend. I will arrange the grandest arena in Sicily. You two battling Half Face and Humbaba. The victors shall go on a boat with me to Greece. (DRAMATIC MUSIC) And now the event you have been waiting for - four unbeaten champions of Sicily battling for a journey to the greatest tourney in Greece! I give you the ferocious, the terrifying Half Face and Humbaba! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! (SPECTATORS CLAP AND CHEER) And their challengers, Hercules and Sotiris from Tiryns! (CROWD CHEERS AND BOOS) (SPECTATORS WHISTLE) Ahh! (FIGHTERS GRUNT) Hercules! (SHOUTS) Humbaba! (CROWD CHANTS) (SHOUTS) CROWD: Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Arggh! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! (GRUNTS) (CROWD ROARS) Ahh! (HERCULES GRUNTS) Arggh! Sotiris! (CROWD ROARS) (BOTH SCREAM) Oh, no! (GRUNTS) Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Are you mad? He was wounded. You killed the only man who could replace him. I can still fight, Lucius. Oh, right, against the six best fighters in Greece. You're as good as dead. The agreement is off. You're back in the pits tomorrow. We won't fight... unless in Greece. Then you'll die. Go ahead, kill us. Who will fight for your silver? You dare to threaten me? Would you really lose your two best fighters, Lucius? Would you see your money bag even a single piece of silver lighter, you miserable, gutless old miser? Look at you! You can hardly walk! You're useless! Why do I need to take you for? Because you're setting him free. No, Hercules. I will fight them alone. Then you are going to a certain death. (DRAMATIC MUSIC) (MAN CACKLES) We have another two days at sea. He's been at the bow ever since we left the port. (BIRDS SQUAWK) (HORSE WHINNIES) (BUSY CHATTER) Oh! My name is Sotiris, captain of the Fourth Division. I rode for Heliopolis with your prince. I'm only one of two survivors. The other is a man of much renown. His name is Hercules. (CROWD CHANTS) More! More! More! More! More! More! (WHISTLING, CHEERING) A man has come to our shores! A slave with the name of Hercules! A gift of Hera, we are to believe! We return him not as a man, but as a pile of bloody guts and bone on which the canines of Olympus may feast! (CROWD CHEERS AND CHANTS) I give you Hercules! (CROWD CHANTS) Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! He is fighting for his freedom against the six greatest undefeated champions of Greece! Fight! Fight! Fight! SOTIRIS: Commander, Captain, see for yourself. And you tell us this is Prince Alcides? And if it is, you're with us? Yes. And not us alone, Sotiris. I promise you. SPECTATORS: Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! (GROWLS) (OTHERS GRUNT) (WILD CHEERING) (SCREAMS) No! Let me go! (GRUNTS) Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! (HERCULES SHOUTS) (SPECTATORS CHEER AND WHISTLE) Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! (CROWD CHEERS WILDLY) Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! (MUFFLED CHANTING) Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! (WISTFUL MUSIC) My Prince. Chiron, give me news of Hebe. Please, Chiron, will you bring her to me? I will find some way. Mmm. Thank you, Sotiris. I know you have someone to see as well. Soon enough. Tell him the condition of the army. There's a great mistrust ever since your company perished. The King is squeezing anything he can from the people to hire foreign mercenaries. I will sound out our most trusted officers. They will rally to us. And my brother, will he come to our side? It is his men pillaging the villages. And any spoils are their wages. I fear you'll have to defeat both this king and the next. Chiron, you must not let on a thing to Hebe. She could never hide her happiness. Now, gift of Hera, call upon all your strength because I must tell you something. (SIGHS) (SIGHS) I have terrible news about your mother. She is no longer with us. She met her death through her own dagger. I drew it myself from her chest as the King fled the temple. Your name was on her dying breath. The King will pay for this. Will your men stand behind us? They are your men now. They'll stand behind you. As will I. (ANIMALS BARKS AND BLEAT) Out of my way, woman! Ohh! Ohh! Out of my way! Move, woman! Move! We're taking your property in the name of the King! MAN: Oh! Please! Don't! Now! Get down on your knees! Don't harm me, please! Does it really take four men to steal one man's livelihood? Draw swords! Stand down. (ALL GRUNT) Is it true? You are Hercules, the god? No, I'm just a man. It's time to send the King a message. Go! (VILLAGERS CHEER) AMPHITRYON: Now I understand why your men prefer desertion, Iphicles. I just received the news. Of what? These three bumbling halfwits or the rising rebellion at our doorstep?! Majesty, they say Sotiris, captain of Fourth Division, is back. He is leading the desertion. Father, I'll take responsibility for this. Let me find Sotiris. I'll make him lead us to Hercules. When our allies from Egypt, Germania and the horn of Africa arrive tomorrow, Sotiris, Hercules, even Zeus himself will be but a memory. 5 HERCULES: What is this place? Sotiris arranged it for your safety. This house will serve as safe haven while we prepare. The woman inside, she says she knows you. She says she fled Argos with the King's invasion. (OMINOUS MUSIC) You swear to me this is the second son of Alcmene, slain Queen of Tiryns? Yes. Alcides. Though he's known now to the people... Hercules. Yes, I know. I was present for the naming. (ETHEREAL SINGING) My friend says you were of Argos until my father brought his wrath upon it. Your father brought wrath upon many. But Argos, that was a mortal's doing. Where have you brought me? To the truth, Hercules. To the truth of you. You may claim your bride and ride a thousand days, it will not matter. Your destiny lies in something beyond. And your journey in life will take you further from love than you can imagine. My mother said that very thing the last day I set eyes on her. She was wise. But even she did not understand the whole of it. You must accept who you are. Only then can you unlock the doors to your own potential. Embrace your father and you will discover powers that you never imagined. Where was this father when 80 good men perished next to me? Where was he when my mother was murdered? Your father has always been there, Hercules. You were just not ready for him. Zeus can't change the minds of mortals, but he has given you a gift. And be warned, abuse it and it will lead to your destruction. Respect it, and it will save you and those you love. (THUNDER RUMBLES) (GASPS) You will accept me. Love me. We will have children and you will love every one equally! Won't you? Equally! Iphicles... ..restore me to my home. Return me to my father. The gods do not want this marriage. I do not want this marriage. Well, it will be. (GASPS) Mark me. Two moons hence. Or you may take your own life as well. (GASPS) (DRAMATIC MUSIC) Princess! (GASPS) Princess. I...I cannot bear it, Chiron. I'm sick of living. The gods save me! What would have happened had I not just now returned? You were gone for days with not a word to me. I'm sorry, Princess. There was reason. You say this to me as if I'm blind to the moon's phase. I know what's in store. No, you do not. (BIRDS TWITTER) (WONDROUS MUSIC) It's me. It is me. How did you keep it when you lost so much else? Because losing this, I would've lost it all. (BOTH LAUGH) It's mine. You gave it to me, yeah? No! (LAUGHS) Is there still pain? Have no worry. Ha ha. (GIGGLES) Where should we go? No, not 'where'. Doesn't matter where. Just that we go. And this time, we shall escape. We will be together. Not in any foreign land. Not in Tyga. But here, in my homeland. (WOMEN SCREAM) MAN: Halt! Your Majesty, I understand there's a small problem. Tell me, Tarak, did I not pay you a sizeable amount of gold to kill every last one of those 80 men? Yes, of course. Then how is it there is a survivor? And not only Captain Sotiris, but another man - a saviour people call Hercules. He is rallying the villagers and even my own soldiers against my rule. What are you going to do about it? Answer me! (SOLDIERS GRUNT) If, and I say if, this is true, I will rectify this error. (VILLAGE HUBBUB) (CHICKENS CLUCK) Darling flower, I missed you. And I hate to say it, but fetch Ioannis - we need to leave now. (CHUCKLES) What is it? Is the bloom off the rose so soon after my arrival? (DOOR CREAKS) Is this him? Yes. How is it you survived? No-one survives those places. Hope. I was given hope. (GRUNTS AND SHOUTS) Stop! And what is your hope now... (DROPS SWORD) ...Captain Sotiris? That my son's life be spared. Then take us to Hercules. (SOLDIERS SHOUT) MAN: Halt! Halt! Hercules. I didn't believe it and I'm not certain I do now, you...you are Hercules? Take him away! Take Sotiris and execute the others! (MAN SHOUTS AND CRACKS WHIP) (MAN SHOUTS AND CRACKS WHIP) (CROWD GROANS) (SHOUTS, WHIPS) (GRUNTS) (SHOUTS) (GRUNTS) (WEEPS) (GROWLS) Stand aside for the King! (CROWD GASPS AND MUTTERS) (HERCULES PANTS) People of Tiryns, I give you your mighty Hercules. (SHOUTS) (GRUNTS) He bleeds! And why? Because he is nothing more than an impostor! A liar! A man of flesh and blood! And what has this so-called saviour wrought? Your farms lie untilled, your villages lay burned and your brothers rot dead in the fields. Is this the message of hope? So, self-proclaimed son of Zeus, how will you offer these people their salvation when you cannot even save yourself? (LAUGHS) Bring out the other traitors! Make way! (CROWD MUTTERS) (MAN SHOUTS INDISTINCTLY) (PANTS AND GROANS) Take me, but spare these good men! He begs for mercy for his traitors! Iphicles - your future king! (CHEERING AND MUTTERING) Strike this affliction from our lands forever, so that tonight we may celebrate as you wed the Princess of Crete. Brother. Brother. Brother! Chiron was there when you were born. When you were sick. Kill him. My Prince, this life has not been wasted. I have had the honour to stand by the greatest hero the gods have ever given the people. Brother, please. Yah! Father... (BIRDS TWITTER) ...I believe in you! Grant me strength! CROWD: Ohh! (WOMEN WEEP) (GRUNTS) (SHOUTS) (CREAKING AND RUMBLING) Retreat! Do something! Stop him! Cut off his hands! Kill him! Arggh! Arggh! Arggh! Ahh! (GRUNTS) (SCREAMS) (PANTS) Hercules, no. No. Now, come on. Come on. Come on, get up. Get up. Come on. We stand with you, My Prince, as do the four divisions under our command. The people are ready to lay down their lives for you, Hercules. MAN: Lead us to victory! (OTHERS CHEER) HERCULES: Brave men of Tiryns, I can only lead you through those gates. What our fate is beyond them, I cannot say. I only know what fate there is in retreat. Tonight we fight not for what we have but for that which has been so savagely ripped from our breasts! Alcides, the prince, betrays his king. But a son of Zeus takes his first breath of life tonight and fulfils his promise to his father. Let this night be forever remembered... ...as the hour upon which we took back our kingdom! (ALL SHOUT) (DRAMATIC MUSIC) 7 (DOORS OPEN AND SHUT) There is my bride. I declare to you that I love another. He's the reason I want to wake up in the morning and embrace the day. If you so wound him that his face were unrecognisable to me, I would love him. If his tongue were cut from his throat and I hadn't his voice to delight me, I would love him. And if you make only a memory of him, I would love him even more eternally. That is what you have to look forward to. MAN: Halt in the name of the King! Identify yourselves! You will be fired upon! Archers ready! Shields! That is Sotiris and the men of the Fourth! We were told they'd deserted! Captain! Hold your fire! I have taken arrows before! If you fight to defend tyranny, let them fly! (THUNDER RUMBLES) Men! We take Tiryns! We take our land! (SOLDIERS SHOUT) (SHOUTS) (OTHERS SHOUT) CAPTAIN: Lower your aim! Sotiris! Fire! (MEN GROAN) We are with you, Hercules! (OTHERS CHEER) Forward! (SHOUTING STOPS) King Amphitryon! Show yourself! Where are you, you coward? Hiding with your prince? Hercules! I apologise for the prince, but he's about to consummate his marriage to Queen Hebe, the future wife of the next king of Tiryns. And as for myself, well, I come to welcome you home. As a matter of fact, I have a little surprise for you. (SOLDIERS SHOUT) Battle formation! King Amphitryon, my sword against yours! Victor takes all! The city, its subjects, army, riches! Not another soldier shall die! What say you, most brave and merciful King of Tiryns? Will you spare these men? Imitation, the highest form of flattery. Accept your destiny! I already rule it all, my son. I'm not your son, you murdering coward! And the one who rules it all is my true father! Lay down your weapons or prepare to die. (THUNDER CRACKS) Tarak, kill the traitors! Soldiers! (SOLDIERS SHOUT) Prepare to slaughter! (ELECTRICAL ZAPPING) (SHOUTS) (ALL SCREAM) Have you come to bring the wrath of Zeus upon me, boy? No! I come to you as a mortal. To bring the wrath of Alcides upon a tyrant who killed my mother. Come at me, boy, and LEARN why I am the slayer of kings! Come! (SHOUTS) Get up! Arggh! (SHOUTS) Brother! Release him. Release him this moment or I will kill her. My son... ..you may not be a total loss after all. Arggh! Alcides, I do not matter. Do you agree, brother? Because as long as you can't have her, she does not matter to me. And she has made it perfectly clear I do not matter to her. Ahh! Brother, no! Release him! We shall be together, my love. Ahh! Ugh! No! (GROANS) (GRUNTS) (GRUNTS) (CLIMACTIC MUSIC) (THUNDER RUMBLES) (GROANS) My love, do not fear. I fear but one thing, I always have, your departure each and every time. I'm here now. This time, please stay. I promise. (STIRRING MUSIC) (BIRDS SING) (BABY CRIES) (BABY GURGLES) (HEBE GIGGLES) (MAJESTIC MUSIC)