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| “ | You're the help? Oh, that's rich. Friendly word of advice, sister: Stay out of my bloody way, else you're liable to get hurt. Now scoot, and tell whomever sent you that I work alone. | „ |
| ~ Heracles |
Heracles is a famous Greek hero and son of Zeus. In Hades, he never appears physically but is frequently referenced by other characters.
He appears in Hades II and helps Melinoë on her way up to Olympus. He is encountered in the City of Ephyra, the Rift of Thessaly and Mount Olympus.
Personality and characteristics
An enigmatic demigod so renowned for his strength, he's still revered for his accomplishments. So beloved by Zeus that upon his death, he ascended to Olympus.
He's rugged, tough, and exudes the demeanor of a seasoned warrior. He greets Melinoë coldly, instructing her to leave as he prefers to work alone without any interference and advises her that it's not a wise idea to provoke him.
Heracles excelled in his endeavors, earning recognition even among other heroes like Theseus. However, he harbors bitterness towards the Olympians and is weary of constantly fulfilling their requests. Despite his fatigue, he acknowledges the lingering sense of duty.
In his book of shadows entry, it is said that wherever he goes, everyone around him becomes unhappy upon seeing him, and that he is a monster with a human face and an animal heart. This may be because, due to having enemies on all sides, many people around Heracles end up getting hurt or even killed accidentally.
He's harsh towards Melinoë, partly due to his prejudice against witches. When questioned, he remains evasive, refusing to divulge further. Nonetheless, his respect for Melinoë grows gradually upon discovering her non-divine lineage, akin to his own, and her prowess in combat.
Physical Description
Heracles appears as an imposing man with a tan skin tone, wearing only the Nemean Lion cloak on his back, with its paws serving as a belt, revealing his musclebound and scarred chest. His face is almost identical to his father's, although much younger and with a sourer expression. His beard is blond, wild, and mixed with the fur of the lion pelt on his head.
He's seen with multiple weapons of all sorts, some on his hands, others bound to him by ropes and straps. He also adorns more ropes around, namely on his left forearm, on top of his left bracelet, as well as the strap that crosses his chest. The knots seen on some of the ropes are known as "square knots".
Hades
It's unclear where is Heracles and how is he doing during the game. However, seeing as his death was before the Trojan War, which has clearly already happened, he's likely residing on Olympus. Achilles also mentions Heracles died a death more gruesome than his and briefly stayed in the Underworld, but since he's favored by the gods, a pact must have been made that allowed him to leave.
Hades comments that he's still sour from the time the hero came to take Cerberus from him, meaning he has already completed all twelve of his labors. Zagreus also makes comments about wishing to fight him instead of Theseus, and can even purchase former weapons of the hero, as well as a statue for the West Hall.
Hades II
Heracles can appear during an Encounter in the City of Ephyra, Rift of Thessaly, or Mount Olympus along the Surface route. He assists Melinoë by initiating a challenge to see if she can defeat marked enemies before he does. Each of which awards 20 
when slain. The maximum amount of Gold Crowns Melinoë can obtain from this challenge is 180 .
Affinity
As of Early Access, Heracles' affinity gauge is maxed out at 2 
hearts.
Book of Shadows Entry
Trivia
- His name means "Glory of Hera".
- Of his Twelve Labours, eight are referenced in the games:
- His first Labour, the Nemean Lion, exists as the Nemean Chariot, in wearing the beast's skin, and the Lion Fang.
- His second Labour, the Lernean Hydra, has the reconstituted remains in Asphodel.
- His fourth Labour, the Erymanthian Boar, is referenced through the Arcana Card Strength.
- His sixth Labour, the Stymphalian Birds, appear as the Bronzebeak and also in the Arcana Card Strength.
- His seventh Labour, the Cretan Bull, is referenced through its son Asterius.
- His ninth Labour, The belt of Hippolyta, is referenced through the Arcana Card Strength.
- His eleventh Labour, The Golden apples of the Hesperides, is referenced through the Arcana Card Strength.
- His twelfth Labour, involving Cerberus, is mentioned by Hades.
- He helps Melinoë in much the same way as Nemesis. Only difference is that Nemesis intervenes as Melinoë goes down and Heracles intervenes as Melinoë goes up.
- Him referring to Melinoë as "sister" references how she may be considered a daughter of Zeus in Greek Mythology, which would make them siblings.
