Chapter #5Plot Twist? by: NVR   The day went by with Hercules easily completing the mentioned tasks thanks to his divine gift and the grateful but meek Dinah having time by herself to grief for the loss of her uncle. Hercules didn't mind that the young woman was so quiet, for as he had seen many strong and brave men intimidated in the same way by his presence. He was used to it, and it was for that reason he wanted to find these legendary Amazon warriors that intrigued him so much and whose reputation enabled him to have one of the most interesting dreams he ever had.
"Thank you again for all your help, Hercules. I'm sorry that my troubles delayed your trip" Dinah apologized once the camp was set.
"Don't fret, I have no such delay because I'm not sure of my destination. All I know is that I should continue going north of here"
"May I ask what are you searching for?"
"I want to meet the Amazons. I found signs of a great battle during my trip and a dying man has requested of me to find them"
The expression Dinah had after Hercules revealed the purpose of his trip piqued his interest. It was a strange kind of doubt, Hercules could tell Dinah had heard about the legendary warriors, but at the same time he felt Dinah didn't actually believe they existed.
"If you have any information about the mighty Amazons it would greatly help me on my task" Hercules ventured, curious to know what Dinah was hiding.
"I will tell you what I know because I'm indebted to your kindness, although I'm afraid is not good news. Once I talked with my late uncle about the fiery battles near our home and the brave warriors involved in it, and when I asked about the legendary warrior women known as the Amazons he told me they don't really exist" Dinah explained
"What do you mean? There are stories about their might throughout all the land" Hercules was shocked, it was the first time he head heard the tales that spread through the land could only be that, mere tales.
"As my uncle explained that night, the Amazons are considered a justification made up by fighters beaten in shameful and humbling ways. To not reveal the real causes of humiliating defeats, a tribe of mythical fierce warriors gets the credit for the victory instead of those who triumphed over their enemy"
"But how could that be? There are records of their feats of might!" Hercules replied with an indignant tone, what the young woman was telling him was absurd!
"There are, but at the same time nobody knows where they live, or has captured one, or killed one and lived to share the evidence other than a tale" Dinah said and Hercules' eyes went wide with shock, for he realized it was the truth. Even him, with the divine gift, could leave evidence of his feats and might and yet all the information on the Amazons was just written tales. From his status as son of Zeus he knew that an invincible woman warrior like the one he saw on his dream, capable of beating enough men to make a throne out of them wasn't completely impossible, but a whole tribe was another story.
"But..why women?"
"When I made the same question, my uncle told me because that way no existing tribe will thrive from the reputation of an invincible force. Women are naturally weaker than men" Dinah touched her soft arms as if to make a point "and unfit to the life of warriors, so even if a tribe of women wanted to claim the fame of the Amazons for themselves, it would be easily defeated in battle"
Hercules remained in silence after another revelation that just seemed to make sense to him. The only lead he had now was the dying man's plight, but he knew even that had an explanation, how for the warrior honor was everything and it was preferable to lie during your last moments at someone that could avenge you than to admit a most humbling defeat.
"I thought your talk was absurd at first, but I admit some of it bears wisdom and insight" Hercules admitted to the woman who once again was giving him a curious look, trying to guess what he would do about it. "But I shall continue my search, and hopefully find an invincible woman warrior that can prove a true test to my strength"
Dinah laughed softly at this which surprised Hercules, and in consequence made Dinah stop with a blush
"I apologize for my reaction, but you're the mighty Hercules" she said with admiration "the son of Zeus, with strength gifted by the Gods. No mortal man or woman is a challenge for you" Hercules received the words with empty pride, as he had heard the praise too many times now.
"The strongest woman I ever knew was no match for my uncle, let alone a veteran warrior whose strength still pales in comparison to your power. I do hope you find a worthy challenger, but I don't think it will be an Amazon, a warrior woman"
"I do hope too the Amazons exist and are more than a mere story of humbled men" Hercules asserted, but doubt was present on his voice
"I can only dream in having the might to challenge, let alone surpass someone of powerful like you, Hercules. Could you imagine?" Dinah gave him a cheeky smile and flexed her soft biceps, as she stated earlier unfit for strong physical tasks or battle.
The conversation died and soon after it was time to sleep, the hero and the young woman sharing a short farewell.
"Thank you again for your help and for the talk, Hercules" Dinah said with grateful honesty before going to her tent "I will pray that you get what you're looking for"
Hercules struggled to sleep, conflicted about the new information and about the possibility of chasing something that didn't exist, could it even exist?
What happens next?  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
| Members who added to this interactive story also contributed to these: |
<<-- Previous · Outline  · Recent Additions © Copyright 2025 NVR (UN: novar at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Carl has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work within this interactive story. Poster accepts all responsibility, legal and otherwise, for the content uploaded, submitted to and posted on Writing.Com. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
More by this author