Shira!
Shira.
That must be Pluribus.
Yeah. Won’t it be great to see Amphion, again?
Yeah.
What?
Well, I was just - remembering that battle against the Macedonians.
We must have been outnumbered twenty-to-one.
Iolaus, it was more like - ten-to-one.
Yeah, yeah, yeah - whatever.
Amphion - he didn’t want anything to slow him up.
He just - jumped on his horse and charged right in.
By the end of the day, he must have dropped - I don’t know - fifty men.
He was one of the greatest warriors I’ve ever seen.
And easily the most reckless.
Yeah - so what does a guy like that do in peacetime?
There’s no reason to fight.
You’ve gotta seek a peaceful solution.
Not after Trachis has taken everything we’ve got.
The only thing his tax collectors will ever understand is a good beating.
Look, Lycus. If it means anything, you’re not alone.
When we know in our hearts that something is unjust -
we owe it to ourselves to do something about it!
And nowhere is it written - that we must abide the cruelty of tyrants.
In my experience, the best way to deal with tyrants is to - get rid of them.
As usual, my friend, we agree.
The trouble is - violence breeds violence.
It’s a vicious circle.
Justice cannot be won by the sword alone.
Because our fight is not for power - but for peace - and brotherhood.
All right - that’s enough!
Break it up! Move along!
I’d watch it if I were you.
I appreciate the warning.
Flower?
Some people have no sense of humor.
Amphion.
Hercules! Iolaus! It’s good to see you both.
You, too. Still - stirring up trouble, I see.
Trying not to, actually. Come - you must be hungry.
You, there! Halt! Your name is Amphion, is it not?
You know who I am, Trachis.
You’re under arrest!
For what?! Speaking the truth?!
For murder! Tallus, and his wife, Shira, were robbed and killed last night.
Take him!
Wait a minute.
Let’s go, Amphion!
Search the place!
What’s going on here?
There’s no reason for you to get mixed up in this, Hercules.
Get him out of here!
How can they arrest him?!
So, you’re the great Hercules!
Yeah - he is.
And they call me, Iolaus. I’m with him.
Good for you.
I’m Trachis.
As Hera’s servant and magistrate, I’m responsible for keeping the peace.
Peace - of course. Hera’s always been - big on that.
You’d better remember that you and your friend are guests here.
Good for us.
But you didn’t answer my question.
What?! This?!
I have a murderer to find!
Your friend either can’t or won’t recall his whereabouts at the time.
And I have witnesses who saw him at the scene.
And which witnesses would they be?
Two of my men.
This whole thing stinks.
Tell me about it.
This goblet was hidden in Amphion’s house!
I believe it belonged to Tallus!
The stains - are blood!
Amphion would have you believe he’s a man of peace.
He wants you to believe that so you’ll forget your debt to Hera - and follow him, instead -
a soldier - who’s killed countless times before -
even innocent women and children.
It’s a lie! I know this man, and he is not a murderer!
If it isn’t true, deny it. You have their ears.
Amphion - say something.
I told you to stay out of this.
Very well - let us proceed - and go to the truth of this matter.
Did Amphion kill two innocent people - because they discovered him stealing a globlet?
Or did he silence him because they discovered his secret?
That all he really craves is power!
If you wish to save yourself - now’s the time.
So be it.
In the name of Hera - I sentence you to death by fire on the night of the full moon
- two days hence!
Why did you stand there, and let him say you killed innocent women and children?
Amphion, if you don’t tell us what’s going on, we can’t help you.
I never asked for help.
The siege of Carthage was coming to an end.
We were ordered to take this little town.
The men there knew they were outnumbered, so they started using the women and children as shields - trying to escape.
I was supposed to lead the attack - but my leg was wounded.
By the time I got there -
The - the women and children?
Slaughtered - every one of them.
That was my last campaign.
It wasn’t your fault.
I should have stopped it.
What could you have done?
Iolaus is right.
I know you, Amphion.
You would have stopped it if you could have.
Tell me something.
Do you really think becoming a martyr - will put Trachis out of power?
Trachis? We need to talk.
This is all delicious.
Are you sure I can’t tempt you?
In that case, I take it you’re here on your friend’s behalf.
We just want to get to the bottom of this.
Given his refusal to defend himself - I fail to see what we have to discuss!
Why don’t we start with the truth?
Have you ever heard of the sword of veracity?
Of course, I have.
According to legend - exposure to its blade renders one incapable of lying -
if you happen to believe that sort of thing.
It’s not just legend - it’s real. And it’s hidden in the Thalian caves.
Are you aware that there are hundreds of them?
I didn’t think so.
You better get goin’. You don’t have much time.
We’ll see you tomorrow, Trachis - with the sword.
Hundreds of them - you never told me that. It slipped my mind.
It’s sad really, to see the great Hercules blinded by loyalty!
Trying to save a man who won’t even save himself!
What do you want us to do?
Even if the sword does exist - they’ll never find it in time!
Just keep an eye on them.
And if they do happen to get lucky - kill them.
Well - how we gonna find the right cave?
I mean, do we just say, ‘Hey! Here we are!’ and expect it to pop up in front of us?!
We could try that.
No, better yet - we spin a stick, and go in whatever direction it points.
That sounds even better.
Herc - You do have a plan, don’t you?
What if we just - follow the light?
What light?
At noon - the sun reflects off the mountains - and makes a beam that points to the right cave.
How do you know that?
Uh - what am I thinking? He’s half-god. Iolaus - sometimes -
What happens if it’s cloudy?
Maybe we’ll - run into a Hestial Virgin?
Wh-what’s a Hestial Virgin?
They watch over the toys of the gods - like the - sword of veracity, and the - shield of forgetfulness.
Well - I guess until we find one - we - might as well keep searching the caves.
I know you didn’t kill those people, Amphion.
And I can help you - if you’ll let me.
All you have to do is to go out there and admit you were wrong!
Tell them to pay their tribute! And respect my authority.
If you do that - I’m sure the real killer will turn up somewhere, and you’ll go free.
And if you don’t -
your naive ideas about peace will die with you.
It’ll take a week to search all those caves - and if they find it - we’ll be waiting.
Ah, nothing in this one.
Um - Hercules? I know - we’re being watched.
Who are you?
I’m Leah.
Hi. Uh, I’m Iolaus. Uh, and, uh, this is my friend, uh - Hercules.
Oh, I know.
You do?
Yes.
How?
Hestia told me.
Oh, then you’re a virgin?
I mean - you’re a-a-a -
Hestial -
Hestial - Virgin.
Yes.
Well, good. Then you can lead us to the cave where the sword of veracity is hidden.
Is there a problem?
Well, it’s not that simple. I mean, I can’t just lead you to it.
Why not?
Hestia - made us swear not to reveal its location.
We can only accompany those who seek it.
If she decides their cause is worthy - she’ll lead them to the right cave.
Well - our - cause is worthy - so there shouldn’t be any problem.
You know, i-it’s funny - when I needed the shield of forgetfulness?
A Hestial Virgin led me right to it.
Yeah - well, things change.
They sure do.
Well - uh - allow me to -
Thank you.
- help you. I, just, uh - thought -
Iolaus.
Any luck?
Nah - just some - broken wine jugs and - love letters all over the walls.
What is it about kids these days?!
Too long ago to remember, huh?
Where’s Leah?
She doesn’t seem to know the area very well, does she?
She’s a virgin, not a mountain goat.
Actually - Herc, I’m - I’m having feelings for -
and - I don’t know, with her being a virgin priestess and all -
Iolaus - get over it.
Uh - I’m trying, I’m trying, I - it’s just not that easy, ya know?
All right. If nothing else works - here’s what you do.
First, you find - a lake - or river, but it can’t be just any lake or river.
- No? - No. It’s gotta be cold - colder the better. In fact, it should be - freezing.
OK? Then what?
Jump in.
Just like that?
Just like that.
What? And that works?
Oh - every time.
How do you know?
I’ve - emloyed the method once or twice in my life.
Oh, OK, thanks.
No problem.
Hi. You all right?
Yes. Sorry I fell behind.
Hmm - yeah. Uh - there’s some - sunlight left.
So we can- still search a few more caves - with your help, of course.
Amphion -
what have they done to you?
Here.
Go on. Have some.
Lycus - how did you get in here?
Never mind that.
I know you’re not a murderer.
But if you have to deny everything you believe in in order to save yourself -
then do it - please. We need you.
I can’t. I’m sorry.
Amphion -
Lycus - I appreciate what you’re trying to do.
But what good would I be if I turne my back on everything that I believed in.
All that would do is make Trachis stronger.
Can’t you see that?
At least this way - my death might do some good.
I have to go.
Leah - is Hestia going to guide us to the cave or not?
It’s hard to tell. I hope so.
Me, too.
Amphion’s a good man.
Yes, he is.
I mean - I’m sure he must be.
Yeah. Well. I’ll take the first watch.
No! Uh -
Iolaus - why don’t you tell her how - Amphion defeated the Macedonians?
It’s - quite a story - especially the way he - remembers it.
Well - you know? Hercules is exaggerating a little.
Amphion didn’t defeat them all by himself.
I mean, I was the one that really -
He doesn’t like me very much, deos he?
No, no. H-he just, uh - well, he doesn’t know you yet.
And you do?
No - but, um - I’d like to.
Uh - I don’t mean to pry, but, um - how does a woman like you get to be a virgin, anyway?
What do you mean - ‘A woman like me’?
Well, you’re not exactly the type.
I mean, for one thing - well, you’re - you’re pretty.
Bandits - killed my parents when I was very young.
I was captured and forced into slavery.
That’s terrible.
Yeah.
Well - then, one night - like magic - I got my calling.
When the sun came up the next day - I ran away.
And - well - here I am.
Yeah - here I am.
I-I’m sorry. I, uh - I didn’t mean to, uh -
Where are you going? Did I say something?
No! No! Um - I - uh - good night!
Hera - I call upon your help.
Hercules seeks the the sword of veracity to destroy all that we’ve built.
As your servant - and partner -
I beseech you - make sure he doesn’t succeed.
And, together, we can continue to prosper.
Sleep well?
Yeah. Yeah.
Oh, by the way, the, uh - it worked, you know?
Jumping in the water.
So, this thing you have for Leah. It’s over now.
- Oh, yeah. - Really?
Yeah, yeah, yeah. As far as I’m concerned, she could be a tree.
Is that right?
Yep.
Good morning.
Morning.
Hi. Sleep well?
Yes - thank you.
Good. You look - rested.
A tree, huh?
Aw, no. What now?
If it’s not - too much trouble - do you think you could Hestia to at least - point us - in the right direction?
Hestia works in mys-ter-ious ways.
I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try?
Thank you.
There - that one.
Are you sure?
When I was novice - Hestia tested me - by asking me to find a small stone - at the bottom of a huge quarry.
I-I searched for days -
- searched ceaselessly - until, finally I gave up.
When I sat down, the stone was right in front of me.
So - what you’re saying is we should - shut up and - trust you.
Not me - Hestia.
Well - for Amphion’s sake - I hope you and Hestia are right.
Yeah, me, too.
Look!
I, uh - guess I - owe you an apology.
Don’t worry about it.
Iolaus.
Yeah. Come on. Don’t worry. It’ll be OK.
Look out!
Get the sword.
A-aren’tcha gonna - help Hercules?
Nah.
Anytime.
Come on, that had to hurt a little bit.
What?! What?!
Who’s that?
I can’t tell you.
OK? Well - one way to find out.
Excuse me?
You’re the ugliest woman I’ve ever seen.
What?!
I’m just testing.
If the sword makes you tell the truth, then, uh - this can’t be it.
Herc said, if you point it at someone, they can’t lie.
What was that?
Hercules.
Iolaus.
Yeah?
Was that your foot I just stepped on?
No.
It’s OK. Uh - I’ll protect you.
There must be dozens of swords here.
What’s that?
It says, ‘Welcome to the cave of Hestia - goddess of the hearth.
The sword of veracity is a powerful weapon.
Once removed from the cave, it must be used with caution -
and then returned when its purpose has been fulfilled.’
Well, we don’t have time to check them one by one.
Let’s take ‘em all - we can check ‘em on the way out.
Oh, no! Wait! It says only one sword can be removed from the cave.
If we take any others, we’ll never get out alive.
Oh - really?
That’s what it says.
OK, then, come on. Let’s - dive in.
Point one at yourself. See if you can’t lie.
My name’s Hercules, and - I love Hera.
I had a frog for breakfast.
Nice breath.
This is a rutabaga.
I have two heads!
There you are.
What’s taking so long?
I was gonna ask you the same thing.
Well, I’ve been a little - busy.
Yeah, well, we’ve been - taking a nap.
No, no - have to get the right sword.
Hercules - I hate your guts.
Uh - no offense.
I can fly.
This reminds me of when I went after the shield of forgetfulness - which I never did.
There had to be thousands of ‘em. Trouble was, when I found the right one, I forgot why I came.
Oh, yeah, that’s right. So, what did you do?
Look! A flying pig!
I had it written down on my hand - which - fell off.
Look out! Two hairy monsters, right behind you!
No! Really!
I thought you took care of this guy!
Yeah, I thought so, too.
So, where’d his friend come from?!
Why don’t you ask him?
Uh - Herc - uh - how do you wanna handle this?
Well, uh - sometimes ya hafta improvise!
Remember what we did against those two giants at Cardesius?!
Oh, yeah! I gotcha!
Now!
Minotaurs.
You know what?
You are - far and away, the most - beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
I - think I’m falling in love with you.
Iolaus.
Hey, you - better let me have that.
Oh, uh - I’m sorry, I - I didn’t mean -
Well, at least we know it works.
Y-es - it does. Shall we - go?
This thing really is dangerous.
Stay where you are! You’re under arrest!
Stay inside!
Where are you taking us?! What have we done?!
Mommy!
Like lambs to the slaughter
You’ve preached your high ideals, Amphion - but that’s over now.
I know about Carthage.
That’s why you’re doing this, isn’t it?
As if your martyrdom could bring back those poor, innocent women and children.
I think you should reconsider my offer -
because if you don’t cooperate -
history just might repeat itself.
Or else!
Iolaus?
I just feel so -
Oh, don’t worry about it.
If you wanna know the truth - I was flattered.
Uh - Leah, now that we’ve found the sword - why are you coming back with us?
- Why? - Yeah.
Well, because - Hestia wanted me to.
She came to me - in a vision.
I see.
You know? I care - about what happens in Pluiribus.
Trachis has to be stopped.
Ah - Herc -
Looks like Trachis wants to stop us.
Ah - if you don’t - mind stepping aside, we have a - big day ahead of us, much to do.
Take him!
Let’s get him!
Herc -
That’s enough! Move, and I’ll kill her!
Now - who have we got here?
Leah.
Don’t hurt me! I - I’m a coward! Honest!
I - I just work for Trachis ‘cause he pays well and -
girls like the uniform.
Get outta here!
And what about you?
My-my father beat me when I was a kid!
Being a bully’s all I know!
Well, it’s - never too late to change -
I always liked working with my hands.
I could make pottery!
Bruce and I could open that interior decorating business we’ve always dreamed about!
So - who are you?
I mean, no Hestial Virgin could handle herself like you just did.
Three years ago - Trahis killed my parents in Thrace.
I followed him to Pluribus.
I didn’t care what happened to me.
I swore on my parents’ grave that I would avenge them.
You must have had plenty of chances. What stopped you?
I met Amphion.
He taught me a better way.
He’s not just my teacher.
We’re going to be married.
Great. Congratulations
Here.
Why didn’t you tell us before?
Would you have taken me along?
Iolaus - I’m sorry.
I didn’t set out to mislead you.
Look on the bright side, Leah.
At least, I won’t burn in Tartarus for having fantasies about a virgin priestess.
I - hate to interrupt, but, if she’s going to get married - we - better go save the groom -
Leah - the story about the rocks and the quarry - you made it up.
Yeah - pretty quick thinking, huh?
You picked the right cave.
Yeah, I know.
I’ve been wondering about that myself.
Beautiful sunset, isn’t it?
Ah, well, it’s time for this foolishness to end.
At my command, he’ll release that arrow.
If you still refuse to cooperate by the time it hits the ground - your friends will burn.
It’s your choice.
If Amphion was just a murderer - he’d die alone!
But he’s commanded you to steal from the great goddess, Hera -
while infecting you with his false message of hope and love!
Fortunately, Hera is forgiving!
She has commanded me to give him once last chance to retract his lies -
before the rest of you pay the price!
Save them! Kill Amphion instead!
Enough!
You fool.
Wait!
What did you say?
I’ll - do anything you want. Just don’t hurt them.
It’s him!
Trachis!
Hercules! You’re too late!
Amphion’s about to confess.
The will of Hera must be done!
Hera’s will? Or yours.
This is no time for troublemakers. Stop him!
This - is the sword of veracity.
In its presence - no one can lie.
Trachis!
Trachis, look at me!
You murdered Tallus and Shira, didn’t you?
So - what if I did? It was a small price to pay!
Amphion’s a fool! Can’t you see that?!
Peace and brotherhood! They’re just words!
They don’t work! Not in this world!
You wanted law’r order - and I gave it to you!
And all that tribute you collected - it went into your own pockets.
What difference does it make?! I earned it!
What are you standing there for?! Kill him!
No one can save you now. Burn for Hera.
Help us!
Quick! Get some water!
- Where’s Trachis? - Never mind him!
Please, let me through.
Sorry, I - I gave in.
You were trying to save lives.
That was close.
Yeah.
Trachis.
Going somewhere?
You. Why?
Remember Thrace?
That was my mother and father you killed.
Leah, wait. What are you doing?
Keeping a promise.
Killing him won’t bring them back.
Have you forgotten everything we believed in?
I don’t care anymore.
Don’t say that. You know it’s not true.
No! Don’t stop her.
Please - I don’t want to die.
I was just doing my job.
Go ahead. If it’s what you really want - then do it.
Amphion and Leah!
Happiness to both of you! And peace!
- under Amphion and Leah!
Congratulations, you two.
What, are you leaving so soon?
Well - we have to get the sword back before it causes any more trouble.
Thanks, old friend.
Goodbye, Iolaus.
Bye. Uh, ah - Amphion.
Iolaus - thanks.
Leah - be safe.
Can I have a look at that thing?
Boy - hard to believe such an ordinary-looking sword could be so powerful.
You wanna know what I do with those fruitcakes you bake every year?
I feed ‘em to the goats.
Yeah? Well, I only put up with you ‘cause you’re married to my brother.
I never liked you anyway. Come on.
Yeah.