imminent doom.  After the temple walls tumble in a spectacular battle, Hercules reluctantly agrees to escort Aegina home, to Ister, justifying the good deed by noting that one of Hera's temples is located just east of the town.  Aegina challenges Hercules' path of retribution and suggests that his vengeance is misguided and does not honor his fallen family.  Recalling how -- in his blind grief -- he had refused to help Lycus of Ister, Hercules now agrees to go with her to challenge the she-demon.
Upon reaching the village, Hercules discovers that in his absence, his friend