Chapter Text
Odysseus sailed home, his men way too excited to get back to Ithaca. Penelope had been waiting. And Polites, ever the optimist, said that ‘We’ll be fine’ when there was doubt. Athena aided him, as always. ‘Full speed ahead!’ Odysseus said, eager to see his wife and son.
But.
Things don’t always end well.
The crew, starved, complained to Odysseus about being hungry. ‘There’s an island.’ One of the mates yelled out, so Odysseus and some of his crew went out, scavenging for food.
The lotus eaters, hidden, spoke ‘Welcome!’ They got shocked, drawing their swords. Eventually, they found out they meant no harm. ‘Greet the world with open arms, it’ll reward you!” Polites said to Odysseus, hitting his shoulder gently. The lotus eaters gave them info for a cave. Odysseus considered for a moment-
‘Have you forgotten the lessons I taught you?’ A voice said, seemingly angry.
’ATHENA!’ Odysseus jumped back, startled.
She brought him into his past memories. The boar, how they met. Everything. ‘Don’t forget that you are a warrior of the mind, don’t disappoint me.’ She said, then quick thought ended.
They headed to the cave, a decision they shouldn’t have made.
All of his men walked in, after being called on to. They walked around, seeing the sheep and food they were promised.
But then..
’WHO ARE YOU!?’
The voice shook the cave, startling everyone. Some men stepped back in fear, while others were frozen from shock.
The Cyclopes killed some of his men, breaking the rule of Xenia.
Odysseus, quick-witted and wise, tried to calm the situation.
That didn’t work.
They needed bribery.
So, he took a rich and smooth wine out from a bag, putting lotus in it, away from the Cyclopes’ view. A full proof plan, surely!
’Have a drink! One sip and you’ll understand, the power that’s in your hands! A wine so fresh.. you’d never wanna eat human flesh again! Then we shall be on our way, no bloodshed in here today.’
Yet there was already bloodshed, the dead men that Polyphemus killed.
Contradictory.
This was apart of his plan.
Polyphemus drank, appreciating it.
’I’d like to thank you.. stranger, what’s your name?’ Polyphemus got closer, inspecting the mortal.
‘My name is nobody.. nobody! No~body.’ Odysseus replied, making sure to hide his identity. Which really, wouldn’t matter soon.
The lotus set in.
Polyphemus got hostile.
’WATCH OUT!’ Odysseus dragged Polites out of the way.
Another fight. Great! Just what they needed.
Odysseus yelled out commands, guiding his men.
They were doing surprisingly well, for just 600.
That wouldn’t be keeping up to their luck. Your luck can run out, but it hasn’t fully yet for them.
They fought with all their might.
A club struck. A weak ‘captain’ was called out.
It was Polites’ voice, Odysseus froze, fear and guilt coursing through his veins.
’Youve hurt me enough..’ Polyphemus said, killing some of his men.
The lotus took effect fully, knocking him out.
Odysseus looked at him, anger stirring through him.
’Captain!’ Eurylochus called out, snapping Odysseus back to reality.
’I mixed lotus in his wine, but we must move quickly. The lotus can wear off anytime..’ Odysseus replied.
They sharpened the club with the swords, Odysseus’ commands were followed.
They stabbed him in the eye, running away.
Polyphemus cried out in pain, pulling the club out of his eye, his vision gone.
Other Cyclopes heard his cries, so they went to him.
’Who hurts you?’ They said.
’It was nobody— Nobody!’ Polyphemus replied, still hissing in pain.
’If nobody hurts you.. BE SILENT!’ The other Cyclopes said, angry that he wasted his time.
’DONT GO!’ Polyphemus tried to say, but they had already left.
Odysseus and his men carried the sheep away, but Athena intervened with Odysseus.
’Have you forgotten the lessons I taught you!? He’s still a threat until he’s dead! Finish it.’ Athena said looking between Polyphemus and Odysseus.
Odysseus, still grieving Polites’ death, decided to keep ‘Open arms’ and he said flatly ‘No.’
Athena could barely stop him, before he did something that would change everything.
’WHEN WE MET I LED WITH PEACE, WHILE YOU FED YOUR INNER BEAST! BUT MY COMRADES WILL NOT DIE IN VAIN! REMEMBER THEM. THE NEXT TIME THAT YOU DARE CHOOSE NOT TO SPARE? REMEMBER THEM. REMEMBER US. REMEMBER ME. IM THE REIGNING KING OF ITHACA!’ Odysseus yelled, anger coursing through him.
Exposing his IP address was not a good idea.
’I AM NEITHER MAN NOR MYTHICAL. I AM YOUR DARKEST MOMENT.. I AM THE INFAMOUS, ODYSSEUS!!!’ He yelled out, before sailing away.
Oh, now he revealed his identity, what a great recipe for pissing off Poseidon.
Hades dealed with the Fates, agreeing to fulfill something if they wove Pallas’ thread back to life.
He knew that Athena would appreciate having Pallas back, because her mental health was declining.
What he had to do was not all easy, he had to manage the underworld all by himself. That’s right, no Charon, no Minos, no Rhadamanthus, no Aeacus. It would be a workload, but aslong as he fulfilled it, Pallas would come back.
It was no easy task. Souls constantly trying to force their way onto the boat, and more. After a whole week, as the deal said, he finally could get back to his normal fair share of work. Minos, Rhadamanthus, Aeacus, and Charon came back to do their work. He finished his paperwork and headed to the fates, to seal the deal.
The deal was done. Pallas was coming back! Great news.
Hades went to tell Pallas.
’Pallas. I dealed with the fates to bring you back. I know you and i dont really know eachother, but its because you need to help Athena. Shes not in a good head space nowadays.’ Hades said to Pallas
’Huh, so thats why i felt weird. Thank you, Hades. I promise i will help Athena whenever i can. I care for her’ Pallas said, happily.
Hades resisted saying ‘Love birds’ and instead, he just walked away.