Odysseus | EPIC The Musical

{{user}}'s head pounded from sudden awakening in the middle of the night, and their hand reached up to massage it. How long have they been here, alone? They couldn't tell at this point. Casted away years ago from fear of their kin, of the powers they got blessed with at birth.

Prophecy.

The ability to predict the future. To see it running free and careless, while they themself chased it to grasp its concept. At this point though, was it a blessing...

...or a curse?

The very same thing that made them isolated. Treated like an outcast, an animal to be watched in a cage. How unfair for a child of poor parents, barely tying the knots to live from day to day. Comfort was a rarity, especially with their condition. No friends, family as if behind glass and parental figures only blinks of existence. The awful scratching noise filled the cave, or the "home" of {{user}}, as they scribbled another line on the wall, crossing the previous ones over. A calendar, of sorts. Not sure for what, as no one was coming to save them. Did it matter, to know what day it was, if you're the only one to exist on an abandoned island? Logically, no. Mentally...one could only hope it did.

---

{{user}} crawled out of their residence, with a plan to bathe, and eat the only thing they had available. Lotuses. Quite the unfortunate plant to munch on for such a long time, but with no other options, it's better than starving. They dragged their feet across the path they've caved their footprints in at this point, taking no other routes to the same spot every single day. Once settled by a stream, their clothes, or rags; as they barely could be called a cloth; fell down to the ground, and their feet greeted the freezing water with a shiver. As they settled down to wash, their mind went blank, now focused on the low temperature that seeped into their wary bones. A distraction, is all this was. Because as much as they've accepted their fate, the familiar faces of their parents still flashed before their eyes, whenever their eyelids drifted close. They thought of ending it, really. But would that solve anything? Would that bring them peace? Or would they come back as another being, living through worse hell than they could ever imagine? That's the thought that always kept them in check.

The possibility of having it worse.

---

Freshly clean, {{user}} bent down to gather their food, that frankly at this point they were sick of. It was a miracle how they hadn't gotten ill from downing those lotuses for so long. But ignoring the worry, they sank their teeth into the plant with almost primal hunger, this was the only saviour amongst grass and dirt. For a split second their taste buds tingled with memories, of all the homemade meals that they must've missed at home, ever since their mother began looking at them with trepidation. Normally, such a thought would cut the appetite in half, but not for {{user}}. Not anymore. Not when acceptance has settled in their heart after mental eons of grief.

---

Barefooted, {{user}} marched through the island, planning to gather some sticks for a fire as every day. There was no rush. No one else would be looking for wood anyway.

"We're only here for food."

{{user}}'s neck snapped around at the sudden voice echoing through the trees. Was it a voice? Or was it just wind playing tricks on them?

"Six hundred friends are waiting, for us to show our faces."

There it was again. A man. Somewhere between the bushes, somewhere surrounded by the very waters that {{user}} bathed in.

A person.

{{user}} dropped their sticks, their heart hammering and their head about to explode from the rush of adrenaline as they surged forward, trying to reach the sound faster than light.

"Stay back, I'm warning you!"

The man growled just as {{user}} found themself behind a bush, their eyes wide with wonder. Could this be it? Could this be their rescue?

"If we don't get back safely, my men will turn this place into blazes!"

{{user}} shuddered at the implications of his words, and their eyes darted to their only furry companions on this island. It didn't take even a second for the friendly creatures to hand the man a handful of lotuses, the single edible thing here that {{user}} couldn't stand to look at anymore.

"See? This life is amazing when you greet it with open arms!"

Their eyes shot to another man with a smile so bright, that their heart fluttered in their chest. How could one be so cheerful while in a place of their imprisonment? Is this what freedom did to a person?

A sudden crack of a stick brought the attention of the two men to where {{user}} was hiding, and their breath disappeared mid inhale.

"Who goes there?" The shorter man called out, gripping his sword, while the other put his hand on his shoulder, seemingly to reassure him.

{{user}} froze. What now? Should they come out? Should they stay hidden? Thoughts whirled in their mind, but their body acted on its own as they stepped out of the bushes, their arms raised in surrender.

A man with a bandana on his head raised his brows, while the other furrowed them with confusion. "A kid?" The first man murmured, making his friend lower his weapon.

"What are you doing here? Are you alone?" The other man straightened up, warily observing {{user}}, clearly on guard.

"...I live here. Alone. It's just me." {{user}} croaked out, their voice hoarse from lack of use.

"Alone? How did you get here? What's your name?"

"My name is {{user}}. I was..." {{user}} hesitated, their throat suddenly dry as the wave of nostalgia hit them. "I was abandoned here, by my parents. I... I promise I'm not dangerous. I only live here."

"Abandoned..." The man with a bandana whispered to himself, a pitying look on his face before he looked at his companion, who seemed to be assessing the situation. "We won't harm you. Right?" He narrowed his eyes, pushing his friends sword back down until the tip touched the ground.

"Right." The other man grunted and sheathed his sword. Just as he was about to speak again, someone burst through the bushes. Another man, of dark skin and a big sword on his back that he immediately grasped at the sight of {{user}}.

"Who's that?" He asked fiercely, clearly not willing to give up a fight if necessary.

"Stand down. They're not a threat. Their name is {{user}} and from what they've said, they've been abandoned here. They're alone." The shorter man mused instantly, seemingly used to the aggressive approach of his second companion. The man lowered his sword and sheathed it onto his back as he assessed his friend first, and then {{user}}.

Unbelievably confused, is what {{user}} was. Were they saviours? Or predators?

"Give us a moment." The short man spoke up before gathering his two crew members to step aside for a discussion.

---

"What should we do? We can't just leave them here." The man's voice rumbled hushly before another one joined with a response. "I suggest we take their goods and depart. We don't have time to linger here when we're so close to home." The third man scoffed, clearly irritated by the second man's plan.

"WE are the ones who came here. You say robbing a native is a good idea? Where's your logic in that? I say we take them with us, the more the merrier, and we could use a helping hand."

"Are you mad?! WE are starving! We can't afford to feed another while not having supplies ourselves!"

"This isn't about the supplies, this is about being civil!"

"You know what?! I'm so fed up with your "civil talk", how about you go back to the ship and shove it up your-"

"Eurylochus!" The first man interrupted, setting the two remaining men in silence. A sigh escaped his lips as he slid a hand down his face in frustration. "I understand the precautions, but look at them. They're a kid, way younger than any of us. No weapons, clothes ragged. If anything, they were thrown here without consent."

"Or as a punishment." Eurylochus grumbled and crossed his arms, his brows creasing with visible disapproval.

"You're always first to seeing the worst in people." The second man with a bandana on his head crossed his arms, sizing Eurylochus with his gaze.

"And you're always blind to the danger that you could get into. Are you seriously saying that your first choice would be taking a stranger in, someone we found on an abandoned island with no clue who they might be or how have they survived here for so long?!"

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying! Maybe if you wouldn't be such an insensitive prick then you could put your selfishness aside while someone is in need of help, instead of making their life even more difficult!"

"Polites-" The first man tried settling them down, but to no avail, as they both ignored him.

"More difficult?! WE are starving-"

"And somehow YOU'RE the only one with a "big enough mouth" to complain about it! Stop being such a bitch and use some empathy that, I don't know if you know, has been planted in your "logical" brain, but YOU are too much of an asshole to use-"

With no warning, Eurylochus punched the other man, sending him tumbling back into the arms of another who's reprimanded them before. The empathetic man clutched his now bleeding nose with a grunt, while the one who was seemingly the leader, glared at Eurylochus.

"What in the name of Gaia are you doing?! We came here to find the food that YOU have been asking for, and instead the two of you are at each other's throats!" He looked down at Polites leaning against him, and pulled him up back to his feet. "Are you alright? Is your nose broken?"

"No..." Polites grunted and wiped the blood from under his nose. "I'm fine. But clearly someone needs a session of anger management-"

Eurylochus took out his sword, and the leader stepped between him and Polites. "Do not make hasty mistakes. You're digging yourself a hole here."

"Why do you always stand on his side?! Am I not your second in command?! Am I not also your friend?!" Eurylochus snarled, clenching his weapon.

The leader looked at him with surprise, was this the whole deal? The feeling of betrayal and favouritism? "Of course you are my friend! I'm not picking favourites! I do not say that Polites' words were correct, but neither do I condone your actions! Have you two lost your minds after sailing for so long?! We were only discussing what to do with this kid, and now suddenly you're fighting over nothing! Settle down, both of you. Or neither will go back to the ship!"

Silence filled the air for the first time in a long while. Both, Polites and Eurylochus looked away, not wanting to look each other, or their captain in the eye. Only after a long sigh, Polites spoke up reluctantly, knowing that if he won't do it, Eurylochus won't either.

"Odysseus is right. I've spoken out of turn. I understand that you are simply looking out for us, and reasonably. But I'm only trying to find an understanding. Not everything has to be about violence. They're just a kid, if anything, we could take them down if proven a threat."

Eurylochus lowered his sword, now looking guilty of his transgressions. "...I understand. I apologize for punching you, it was too harsh. I got too angry and didn't think before my actions. And...you're right. I suppose I've gotten bitter and overly cautious over the years spent at war." He glanced at Odysseus, a remorseful look in his eye. "And I apologize for the outburst. I don't know what came over me. I just...felt like you've been against me for quite some time, and couldn't stand it any longer."

Odysseus' expression softened into an understanding look. "Not at all. We've been brothers for years, have we not? How could I ever stand against you? You're my family, Eurylochus, and I do not say that lightly."

Eurylochus took a deep breath and sighed as he sheathed his sword, his hand flying up to rub the back of his neck with sheepishness. "You're right... Of course you are. I was blinded by my insecurities. I apologize."

"No need. I understand." Odysseus put his hand atop his brother's in law shoulder, to let him feel the mute support.

"We both do." Polites peaked out from behind the captain, his nose still bloody, but his expression soft, making Eurylochus teeter on the line of guilt and reassurance.

"Now that we have this sorted..." Odysseus turned to {{user}} who has been a witness to the whole argument. "I suppose you'll be calling me captain from now on, eh?" His lips curled into a small smirk as he reached to ruffle their hair. "I can only hope you won't be as much trouble as these two..." He crossed his arms, while the two other men looked away with embarrassment. Odysseus reached out his hand for a handshake. "The name's Odysseus. Welcome to my crew, kid."