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Odysseus stood above of a man. His sword stood out from the Suitor’s heart. He didn’t know this man, he didn’t know his name, if he had a family. But at this point he did not care anymore. All he knew he was a suitor. He had to the die. He was to last of them, the final Suitor.
Odysseus was silent for a few seconds, he just stood there. He was finally home. He couldn’t believe it. After 20 years of endless pain, suffering. He was finally home.
He heard some noise from behind. His instincts told him to kill, his vision was still reed, maybe the remaining rage, maybe it was just the blood. But he knew he was done, deep down.
It’s over.
That man is not an enemy.
Odysseus slowly turned around. A young man’s silhouette stood in the doorway. Odysseus pulled his sword out of the last suitor’s body and put it in his belt. He heard the young man slowly with cautious and uncertain steps started coming closer to Odysseus, but after a few steps he stopped. Maybe it was out of fear. Probably that was the reason. Odysseus knew that his body was covered with the blood of the suitors.
“Father” spoke up with a trembling voice the young man.
Odysseus froze as he heard him speak. It was one word. Only one, but it meant so much more. He couldn’t answer he wasn’t ready to talk. All his demons cached up to him as finally reached home. He could hear their screams. He could feel their shadows, their souls in his footsteps as they followed him home.
But also, there it was his boy. His Telemachus. The dim light from a torch illuminated Telemachus’ face. His dark brown eyes that were exactly like his own, his raven black hair that settled in a messy curly pattern. His face had similar features to Odysseus’, and he had the smart look in his eyes from his mother.
“All my life, I’d have died to meat you.” continued Telemachus. The King of Ithica felt tears collect i his eyes. He couldn’t answer so he just let him speak. He was so happy to listen to his son’s voice. He waited twenty years for this. He fought with gods, monsters for him.
“Thought about your name so much, it hurts. For twenty years, I dreamed of how I’d great you. Oh, and now you here… I can’t find the words...” Telemachus’ voice cracked and rubbed away a tear in his eye. He took a step closer. And then another and another. Odysseus tried to not think of everyone who he had lost, as he watched his son stepping closer.
Telemachus ran in the last few meters, as Odysseus opened his arms. Telemachus hesitated for a second and looked up to his father for permission. Odysseus nodded with a smile. His son instantly hugged him. They held each other tightly, both with the fear of losing the other again.
“Oh my son, look how much you’ve grown…” Odysseus caressed his son’s back in slow circles. “Oh my boy! Sweetest joy I’ve known!” Even though he didn’t want to cry, a few silent tears run through his cheeks. Telemachus buried his head deep in his father’s neck. Thy held this embrace for minutes. It comforted both of them. On finally returned home and the other finally got to meet the man he heard so much about, and looked up to.
“Days and nights I wish that I could show you…” mumbled Telemachus in the embrace “For twenty years I never could outgrow you.” he slowly pulled away, and with foggy eyes, he looked up at Odysseus “Oh! And now you’re here…”
The king of Ithica slowly caressed his son’s face. He couldn’t believe this was real. His son. Telemachus was here.
“Telemachus, my son, I’m finally home..” he murmured, his voice tired. Odysseus felt the adrenaline was leaving his body. He felt more and more tired. He needed sleep, but it was the last thing he wanted to do. The nightmares… All the ghosts… All of the reminders of his mistakes...
No!
My son is here. That’s what important. I have to concentrate.
“You need rest Father.” His son’s voice shook him out of his thoughts.
“I’m fine” He claimed and pulled his son closer for one more hug.
“Father! I can’t say how happy am I to finally meet you but, you need to rest. And if you want, I can be there with you. And I think Mother also wants to meet you”
As Telemachus mentioned Penelope Odysseus pulled away a little. “Is she alright. Those men, say that they-” His voice cracked from the worry.
“She is alright” Smiled Telemachus reassuringly. “Let me take you to her”
The King of Ithica nodded, a little wight was lifted from his hear. Telemachus started leading him to their room. Penelope’s and his. When was the last time he could think about that. He didn’t even remember.
For a last time, when they arrived to the door, he looked back to the main hall. It was filled with dead bodies and blood. Tiresias was right. The palace covered with blood. And there was a trail of dead men, who are haunting him from the shadows, whom voices he could still hear.
As Tiresias said he was no longer the same man. He became the Monster.