Hercules had come back with the Hydra’s severed heads. Eurystheus was surprised that Hercules had survived a creature that no other man had again. He spent the next thinking of a crueler and harder labour for Hercules to do. With the help of the queen, he knew what he would have Hercules do. Eurystheus sent some of his men to bring Hercules. Hercules came, knowing that he would have to go on another long journey, with his weapons and food. Eurystheus stared at Hercules for a few moments before speaking.

             “Well, Hercules, you have survived the last task. Now, I am in need of some of Helios’s special made fire,” Eurystheus told Hercules.

             “Do you mean the fire that never can be extinguished, and if someone tries to extinguish it, it grows bigger and hotter?” Hercules asked.

             “Yes, I don’t think there are any others. Hercules, I really don’t know how you survived those tasks with that brain of yours,” Eurystheus answered coldly, “now go and bring me the fire.” Hercules left the palace full of anger. On his journey to the mountain where the fire was hidden, Hercules thought of how he could bring the fire to Eurystheus without burning himself. He tried not to think of what Eurystheus said about him. He knew better than to get angry over what his cousin says. Finally after weeks of walking, Hercules had reach Mt. Etna. He saw giants walking around the mountain and there were giant birds circling the top of the mountain. Hercules carefully made his way towards the mountain. He walked around the mountain trying to find an entrance.

After hours of looking, he disguised himself with things he found around the mountain and went to a giant. He successfully tricked the giant to tell him where the secret cave entrance is. Hercules took of the disguise as he entered the cave. He was a long way in before the giant realized what had happened. Hercules felt satisfied as he heard its roars of rage. The farther Hercules went into the mountain, the hotter it got. He was sure he was close. Now, there was only the light from his torch that was guiding him. For a few minutes, he kept walking, not knowing where he was going. After a few more minutes, he finally saw an opening up ahead.He blew out his torch and walked through the opening. It became so hot that he was sure he was going to faint. In front of him was a narrow strip of rock that was 20 feet higher than the floor of the giant room. Hercules looked up and saw another small opening at the very top. He started to make his way across the strip of rock. At the end of the strip of rock was a circular platform that was connecting to the wall. Hercules looked down once he was halfway across. He saw something that he had never seen before. The floor of the entire room was covered with orange-red liquid. He threw a rock down and once it hit the liquid, it disappeared under it. The liquid bubbled as smoke rose.