Zeus didn't have to ask what the boy believed because it was writ large on his face. He held himself with the sanctimony of a True Believer. Did any of his followers ever look like that? Had any of them been as self righteous or was that the symptom of this One True God's sheeple?
Twenty seven. The kid was only twenty seven and already he was so set in his ways. Still, Zeus was reluctant to tell him what he knew for a fact now. Why was that? Maybe it was fatherly instinct to let the kid find his own way even if that way was completely wrong or maybe it was the instinct to protect because even though Heracles might not believe Zeus immediately, if he ever arrived did it would shatter the poor kid's world.
"Son, if you'd been through a tenth of what I've been through, you'd probably be as intent on self destruction as I am. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get shit faced and the people who I'm going to see will have no second thoughts in taking every dime, piece of jewelry and your shoes. If you want to come with, fine but don't say I didn't warn you. You won't be getting any help from me," Zeus said turning resolutely toward Seventh Street and crossing it.
Now that the shock had worn off he was in massive amounts of pain and every determined step was an effort.