Wrath "Rise of the Fallen"

Zeus had intended to surprise Hercules that day with a visit to celebrate his son’s great victory over Lycopus the Butcher and liberation of Acanthus, so he put aside his concern regarding Hades’ news and descended Mount Olympus. The Butcher had swept into power on the parched winds of a stubborn drought and the vulnerable shoulders of the distressed people of Acanthus who’d found it all too easy to blame their crop failures and subsequent hardship on the gentle King Eidos. Lycopus had hanged and burned Eidos on the Fortress parade ground during a carnival to commemorate his taking of the crown.

After that one grand party, the Butcher had gotten down to the business that earned him his nickname. It wasn’t long that the people discovered new depths to their suffering. So brutal was Lycopus’ rule that even the gods took note. But it wasn’t the gods who finally intervened. When it had become clear that Lycopus’ thirst for power didn’t end at the borders of Acanthus and he began preparing to bring more of Greece under his bloody thumb, Hercules and his Lion Legion led a small but tenacious band of rebels against the tyrant and his vicious horde. It ended quickly—Lycopus’ loyalists lacked the grit to stand against the Lion Legion. Overjoyed, the people yanked the crown from Lycopus’ spiked head and handed it to Hercules.

In the forest outside of Acanthus’ southern gate, Zeus took human form. He smoothed over some of the wrinkles and gone was the platinum hair and beard, replaced by a honey blond. He shaved some mass off his frame and though not as muscular as his godly form, he was strapping nonetheless. The only feature to remain unchanged were his ice blue eyes—those never changed. Rather than pick up the cart trail to Acanthus, Zeus cut through a grove of cypress and ash trees. Before long he tracked and slew a large deer. He field dressed it and slung it around his shoulders before making his way to the southern gate.