Heracles swung his ax into the side of the tree, chipping away a large chunk of the trunk.

“What are you doing?” Zafira cried out, rushing over to try to move him away from the Mother Tree. He kept a tight grip on the ax and dug his feet deeper into the ground. Heracles shoved her off him and struck her in the face with the back of his hand.

“All this time and you’ve been hiding it from me,” Heracles said. He smirked, revealing a side of him she never saw in the months since finding him washed up along the shore. Zafira took him in and nurtured him back to strength, even gave him her heart. “The key to my labors and salvation for killing my wife. Golden apples.”

Zafira held a hand to her bruised face, body trembling and unwilling to keep the tears any longer from her eyes. “You ... lied to me?”

Heracles, ripped his ax from the tree and marched over to the young Warden. Muscles bulged under the torn tunic he wore. “I did what I had to but don’t pretend you didn’t enjoy it. You got what you deserved and now it’s time for me to claim my reward.”

The Greek hero began to spin on the spot, drawing in more strength until the very air around him crackled. Zafira stepped back, feeling the winds howl against her face. Heracles cut through the tree with a single thunderous blow. It stood for another moment, slowly waning to one side and toppling over.

A howl sounded from the branches and Ladon, the guardian of the Amber Hearts, burst out of the foliage. The dragon coiled around Heracles and tightened his grip. His eyes shimmered with victory as he opened his jaw to deliver a flame that would scorch the skin off Heracles’ bones.

Heracles trembled, veins popping up on his forehead and neck as he struggled against the dragon’s strangle. His arm cracked, but he still managed to free it. He reached inside Ladon’s mouth and yanked out his tonsils.

Ladon clamped its jaw shut, just shy of separating his wrist. He hissed fumes from his nostril and moved in to bite into Heracles’ head. He came too late as Heracles already managed to slip his other hand out and grabbed a hold each mouth part. The dragon struggled to finish off Heracles, who kept the dragon’s jaw from closing around his head. Ladon soon went on the defense as Heracles increased his pressure and gained the upper-hand over him. Heracles’ muscles bulged as he slowly pushed back and widened the gap.

“No, stop. You’re hurting him!” Tears ran down Zafira’s cheeks.

His jaw popped and was torn apart. The dragon released him from his grip and attempted to flee, only to find himself still at the mercy of Heracles holding his head.

Heracles reached over for his ax and buried it into the dragon’s skull. With a crack, life seeped out of Ladon’s eyes and his limp body was tossed to Zafira’s feet.

“After ten labors, did you really think a dragon could stop me? This is my destiny you’ve fooled with.” Heracles gathered the Amber Hearts and set fire to the Mother Tree. He left with his golden apples, never to be seen by her again.

Zafira crumbled to the ground, feeling her own heart break into pieces within her chest. No words could express her sorrow so she sang, lamenting the loss of her guardian for all the day and night. Her chanting was carried by the wind off to sea where it came upon the ears of a young sailor.

“What happened here?” Jason asked, taking in the corpse of the legendary dragon and scorched remains of the tree. “I heard you singing. Is there anything I can do for you?”

Zafira cut off mid-verse but did not turn to meet her new guest. “You should go and tell your people of the scoundrel Heracles.”

Jason stiffened at the name. “That’s no way to talk about the son of Zeus, he’s a hero. I happen to be an aspiring hero myself. It’s not safe around here, let me take you home.”

“My place is here,” Zafira raised her arms and indicated to the surrounding trees, “in the garden.”

“This is no place for a woman such as yourself.” Jason grabbed her arm and yanked her up. This close, he got a good glimpse at her eyes. “I’ve never seen such beauty before. Come and I’ll make you my wife.”

Zafira pushed back and attempted to run away from him. “No, let go of me.”

“I’m here to save you. I’ve got a ship full of men to help protect you.” Jason grinned as he pulled out a rope and bound it tight around her wrists. “There’s nothing here for you.”