Project: Tantalus

You can never find this word in the dictionary. This word is the name of the most powerful Greek God's son. He is Zeus's son, King Tantalus. His story is a simple yet easy to understand. Unlike his elder son, Hercules, King Tantalus was wicked and evil in the heart. He was given mortal powers. Powers to lead and control a large kingdom. He led armies and fought wars. He never lost a single battle when he led. When the enemy hear the commander of the force they are facing, they dread the name Tantalus. All people were able to see his crimes but they could do nothing. Men were killed, womena and children were not spared either. Zeus saw it. He was angry but he could not meddle with mortal matters. He so wanted to punish him and prevent such vermin from harming the land anymore. But he just could not touch him. So he sent another god to do the job for him. Someone that could walk the lands of the mortal. He dealt out punishment that no human can ever imagine at that time. No one knows how he looks for if they see him, they never got the chance to tell others. A dark, shadowy figure that is so different from the gods at Mount Olympus. Unlike the rest of the Gods who bathe in the sun, ride on the clouds of Olympus. This god prefer darkness and loneliness. Something that the other gods could never understand. The name of the god, Hades.

One night, Hades walk up to King Tantalus castle. No guards could stop him, for they fell to the ground with just a glance of his face. He strolled his way to Tantalus's room. When he opened the door, King Tantalus was sound asleep like a baby. He was not disturbed by the sound of the door opening. Neither was he aware of another being in the room. So Hades thought of a better way to wake him up. Hades entered his dream and changed the happy dreams he had into a nightmare. One nightmare that shook King Tantalus so hard, he screamed and awaken with the face of Hades infront of him. Hades told him about the punishment he will be dealt with. A torment so painful, that did not dealt any pain to his physical body. That night, made King Tantalus a totally changed man.

King Tantalus was condemned to join Hades in Hell. He was given a beautiful prison. Where budding trees were, rivers flow and birds flew everywhere. Green grass grew as far as the eye can see. The sun was shining brightly and the air was cool. King Tantalus thought Hell was not so bad after all. He got such beautiful place to spend the rest of his life in. He walked towards a tree with apples hanging within arm's reach. As he reach for the apple, the branches receded. He tried again and reach higher for it, the branch went up higher. Frustrated, he chose another apple. That one too receded. He was mad. Very frustrated and mad. Since apples were not able to be eaten, a simple drink would be good. He moved from the apple tree to the calm, flowing river by the side. He was doubtful that the water might recede when he stepped in. As his feet touch the water, nothing happened. He felt the cool water flowing along the skin of his feet. As he reach down to drink the water, the water receded. He could not drink a single mouth of water. Now he is beginning to feel the punishment of Hades. Hades punishment was not that light. The punishment was not just allowing King Tantalus to starve. King Tantalus never starved. The need to eat was not needed as his soul was trapped in Hell. But he could not taste the sweet apples or fruits surrounding him nor the cooling water gushing pass the green pastures. This was the torment that Hades has set for him. This was the punishment deemed for Zeus's wicked son.