Puppeteer

Polydeuces hugs Nefeli back, despite the irritating pain that still radiated through his body. Confusion, joy, grief; it all punched him as he was barely able to mutter the words. “I’m…alive?”  He croaks, finding his throat sore from all the water he’d swallowed. “I-I don’t know how.. Or what really happened.. B-but, I just started banging your chest and there was this weird light…I don't really care..” She sniffles between sobs, “y-your back…”

   Back on the ship, some of the crew leaned against the railing; waving their captain to signal, their brother and sister in arms were okay. Breathing a sigh of relief, “Men, start pulling the rope and get those two back on board!”

“Yes sir!” 

    Polydeuces just held onto Nefeli as their little drift-wood raft was tugged back toward the ship. Letting Nefli get helped onboard first before he was pulled up as well. Once on the solid deck, Odysseus waited little time to hug Nefeli. “Thank gods’ you’re both okay…I-I feared the worst…”

  Nefeli sighs, though it was nice to have the comfort of her friend; something dark started burying itself deep into her heart. “You..could've made a better apology..” she mutters, not yet hugging Odyseus back. “I.. know… l-look we can still get home, have some faith in me friend..”

Nefeli hesitates but finally hugs him back, “Okay…”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~    The next two years were filled with terror and survival. From nearly escaping Poseidon's continuous wrath, to waking up in the middle of the night from sleep terrors. Neflei would sit at the bow of the ship; looking down at the waters she now feared once more. Usually Lotus or Polyduces would join her during those long nights. Never once asking what was wrong, judging her, or pitying her.. But she could tell, the others were on edge around her now. Even Odyseus was becoming distant. “Gods what am I to do? I have this odd power that comes and goes.. I lost my brothers… were further away from home.. And I can't shake this dread for much longer… please… I need something… a sign.. Some guidance… Athena?....” She swallows hard and closes her eyes, letting more of her tears fall.

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    Upon nearing the third year since Poseidon’s ruthless rampage, Their ship soon settled upon a distant island. Nefeli didn’t even waist anytime to jump down into the awaiting sands. Taking off toward the forests, regardless of Odyseus trying to hold her off. “Nefeli wait! We don't… and she's already gone..” Sighing the king pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration. “Polydeuces, can you…” Looking over he sees the other man had disappeared as well. Having run off to follow Nefeli, “Ugh… those two will be the death of me..” He mumbles to himself before turning his attention to the rest of his crew.

   Eurylochus eventually walks up to him once they’d settled onto the beach. Somewhat keeping his distance, “Captain…. I have something I must confess. Something that I must get off my chest. Until it is said, I can not rest..” The taller man hangs his head slightly when he hears no reply, reaching out to carefully clasp Odyseuss’ shoulder. “Captain?”

  “Eurylochus, go make sure this island is secure…” The other responded while moving from the other man's touch. “But captain-” Eurylochus tried to protest, but was cut off. Odysseus slightly turns to him, sadness and grief written all over his features. “There’s only so much left we can endure…  Whatever you need to say it can wait some more… of that I’m sure..”

Eurylochus sighs but nods “Okay…” and without another word gathers up three men. Heading off to traverse through the island's dense habitat.

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    All the while, Nefeli continued to run; deeper and deeper into the forests till the trees blurred, her feet ached, and her lungs demanded air. Her mind, her soul.. All she could hear were her brothers screams, their agonizing pleas for her help. Fresh hot tears threatened to spill down her face, as the cawing of a familiar eagle almost made her trip.

   “Well, well… It's been a while hasn’t it, dear monster?” The creature smirks as it lands on a rock nearby. Panting, Nefeli could only stare at the thing in pure rage. Only for the bird to smirk at her, holding his head high; mocking her. “I must say, what a brilliant show you played. I can’t wait to see it end in a dismal way. The god’s above, they don’t care. Your dear pet's fate is left hanging in the air. You scream for mercy, but none shall come. Athena’s favor is forever undone. Weak and worn, a fragile flame. Your supposed strength is giving way to endless pain. The weight you bear, the blood is on your hands. Your brother's souls, damned for your- Ah!!”

   As he was about to finish, Nefeli couldn’t take it anymore. Thrusting her spear at the bird, hitting its wing; golden blood trickling down from the wound. “I’ve had enough of your bullshit! You say their blood is on my hands, so be it.. Yours will be too.” She threatens coldly, swinging her spear to toss the injured bird away. Causing it to screech in pain “I’ll become a monster, maybe then I can finally rest…” Thunder clashes in the distance as she stalks toward the eagle with murderous intent. Though, unknowingly to Neflei, Polydeuces was watching everything. Seeing her rage, her pain, her usual spark darkening.

In an instant, Polyduces came out of hiding, in an attempt to stop her from making a, possibly, huge mistake. “Nefeli wait…”

   “They’re gone…. They're all gone… you were gone… all because of me… because of him. No matter what I try, where I go, what I do. He’s always there.. Taunting me.. Taking everyone I love.. Why should I continue to let him live? Why should I continue to care?!”

  Polyduces says nothing, only closes the distance between them as he hugs her from behind. “Ne… there's so much guilt inside your heart. I know that you're tired of the war and bloodshed.. This isn’t how we're supposed to live.. Tell me how would killing this egal bring them back? Is this how we are supposed to remember them? To be their flame that carries on? We swore to not let any one of them die in vain… Please… please don't close your heart.. Don’t become ruthless and merciless….”

  Nefelis' shoulders shook as she turned to face Ployduces, wrapping her arms around him tightly as she sobbed into his chest. “Listen Ne.. you think yourself a monster.. But a monster doesn't save people.. Don't cry for those they've lost… I’ve waited twelve years to tell you my feelings.. And I'm willing to continue waiting till you're ready.. But I’ll be damned if I allow some pissy gods stop me from one day marrying the woman I love.” Nefeli sniffles and mutters, “ your so fucking corny…” Looking up at him with renewed light, “just shut up and kiss me.”

  Without hesitation, Polydeuces caves to her order. The two finally were able to have a moment. No gods, no monsters, no fighting for their lives.. Just Nefeli and Polydeuces…and perhaps a messenger that watched from afar.

       Unbeknownst to the two Ithacans, the eagle allowed its body to shift around the spear embedded in its wing like a dark cloud; leaving it to fall fully to the ground as he chuckled darkly. “Pathetic….. Ruthlessness is mercy....HAHAHAHA!” Taking off and completely disappearing into the cloudless sky. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~       Simultaneously, back at the beach, Odysseus looked to his returning second in command. The other had come back sooner than expected, and looked completely disheveled. “Eurylochus, back so soon?” He questions, looking around for the three he took with him. “Where’s the rest of your crew? And, by the gods’, what happened to you?” Odysseus approaches the other, checking his friend for any injuries.

   Eurylochus panted for breath, looking at his lifelong friend and captain; distraught from running back as quickly as he could. “We came across a palace, inside we heard a voice… It seemed to hold no malice, to greet it was a choice… but nothing could prepare for the power that awaited inside.” “What did this palace hide?”

  Eurylochus collects himself slightly, unable to completely answer the others' questions. Taking in all they’ve faced thus far. “Sir, since we left home, we’ve faced a variety of foes from a wide range of places. Gods, monsters, you know the roster. Hostile creatures that we could resist. But this was a hell of a twist. For we are weak to a power like this.” The other man sweats while gripping the others shoulders and shakes them slightly as he speaks. Odysseus was extremely confused, raising a brow at his friend. “What was it?” Almost dreading the answer as he gulps.

“A woman…” The other fearfully looked into the other's eyes while Odyseus gave him a deadpanned, “what?”

  “Ha!!” Nefelis booming laugh sounded from the bushes afar. She and Polydeuces finally returned, though, both seemed to be slightly disheveled for different reasons. Odysseus pulls himself away from Eurylochus to meet the two halfway. “And where the hell have you two been? What…happened? Were you attacked by this woman too?”

Nefeli shrugs with a coy smile, while Polydeuces blushes and tries to hide the evidence of their earlier escapades. “Not exactlyyyyyy”

  “Oh….. I see… well um… As much as i'd like to celebrate the fact you two are finally together. We’ve got more pressing manners to deal with.” Odysseus sighs while directing their attention to Eyrelocus. Who was completely shaken and panicked. “Right…later then… Okay Eury, tell us what happened man.”

Eurylochus shakes his head and continues with the story, “the witch has us in just two words.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Eurylochus and his three men walked up to the ethereal palace. Each looking upon it’s almost whimsical and inviting structure. Slowly they approached the ornate door. A petite and beautiful woman greeted them with a warm smile, as if she’d been expecting them.

“Come inside~”

  The other three men took one look at her, their hardened years of war and being out on sea melting away. Lowering their guards as they drew closer toward the mysterious woman, Eurylochus could do little as he watched.

“Welcome to the best part of your lives.”

  Each man disregarded any sense of danger that was clearly there, rushing inside without question. To which, the woman was grateful; welcoming them in. “Go ahead and rest wherever you like~ I’ve got you. Don’t worry, Circes got you now.”

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  Odyseus gives a half whistle “Damn.” Almost taken aback that his men could be so easily swayed. Eurylochus lowers his head in slight shame. “Only I stayed outside, but the rest went in… She and her maids offered them food. But, by the time they ate, it was far too late.”

“What did she do?” Polyduces asked, having stayed quiet up until now.

   “Inside the meal, she had cast a spell.” Eurylochus begins to explain, “she had cast a spell. They began to squeal, and grew snouts and tails!” The, usually, strong and collected soldier shivers and shakes his head. “She changed them.”

    As the three seemed to panic over such obscurity, Nefeli snuck herself away. Having decided to check out this supposed palace for herself. “Heh.. a woman.. After everything we’ve been through… idiots..” She sighs deeply, shaking her head; though, as she traversed. She could feel someone watching her, hearing muffled giggles from the brush. They didn't seem dangerous. But, she kept her guard up just in case. 

   Soon, the young warrior stumbled upon the unearthly palace. “This has to be the place Eurylocus was talking about…” Gripping her spear she made her way to the opened door; peeking inside. “Hello?” Her voice echoed through the dimly lit hallway. Movement, something rushed toward her; grabbing at her and pulling her inside quickly. Voices crowded around her, feminine; each filled with shock and worry.

“A woman?”

“Those beasts had a woman…ugh disgusting..”

“D-don't worry miss, you're safe now. Well make sure those men won't harm you anymore.”

  Nefeli could barely register what was going on; taking in the three's appearances, having to conclude they were nymphs. “L-ladies please.. I think there’s been a misunderstanding.” She sweats nervously, trying to think of a way out of this. Managing to pull herself away, only to be met by their caretaker. “Hush now child, say no more. Those disgusting men have poisoned your mind. Made you believe their lies. Look at you, you're missing an eye..Come take a seat.” Circe smiles down at Nefeli with such warmth; directing her to a grand dining room. Paying little mind to the young warriors sputtering. “I-I can explain..”

  “Enough…. Let me bring you something to eat. You must be tired from spending years on your feet.” Circe pats the top of nefelis head while guiding her to sit down. Her nymphs rush to bring dishes and bowls filled to the brim with food. Nefeli’s mouth watered and stomach flipped, would it be so bad to indulge just a little? “I-I guess…thank you..”

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     Back at the beach, Eurylochus finally finished explaining the severity of what had happened. The danger this island, and its inhabitants held over the remainder of their crew. Polydeuces sighs, “what a mess…what do you think Ne… Ne?” The other looks around, not spotting her anywhere.

“For gods’ sake… of course she snuck off…ugh come on we have to go save them” Odysseus gruffs while starting to head toward the forest himself. Only to be pulled back slightly by Eurylochus, “no we don’t!” Polydeuces was taken aback by the others' sudden urge to not save their friends. “Excuse me?”

  Eurylochus frightfully directs their attention to the crew and their one lone ship. “Look at all we’ve lost and all we’ve learned. Every single coast is so much more than what we’ve earned. Think about the men we have left before there are none. Let’s just cut our losses and run”

  In that moment Polydeuces clenches his fists “what? You can't be serious. You'd rather abandon those men.. Abandon Nefeli, your friend?! There's no way in the underworld we're doing that.” He scowls deeply at the other, the dynamic and respect he once had for Eurylochus dissipating.

   Odysseus frowns and pulls his arm away from the other, “tsk.. Of course I’d like to leave, of course I’d like to run. But I can hardly sleep now, knowing everything we’ve done. There’s no length I wouldn't go, if it was you I had to save… I can only hope you’d do the same…” He sighs and continues, “come on Po… there’s no telling what kind of trouble Ne has gotten herself into.” Silently Polydeuces follows his captain, not acknowledging Eurylochus any further.

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   Nefeli sighs as she finishes the glorious food, shifting a bit in her seat. “T-thank you again..but I must explain, those men are my friends and mean no ill will. we just got a little lost and are only trying to return home.”

  Circe circles her and the large table; her kind smile turning eerie as an odd magic started filtering through the air. “Oh my dear… They must’ve done a real number on you… no worry.. With time you’ll come to find, this life is amazing.” She giggles softly while watching Nefeli try to leave.

  The other quickly got out of her chair, backing away from the foreboding queen. “Think of the past, and they're mistakes.. They’ll be the last mistakes they’ll make~ I’ve got all the power, yeah, I’ve got all the power. No, I’m not a player. I’m a puppeteer, no I don't play. I’m a puppeteer.” Booping Nefelis nose as the woman slowly transformed; shrinking as she started coughing up feathers. Her cries of slight pain and pleas for Circe to listen, turning to cawing. Once the spell was complete, Circe knelt down, scooping up Nefeli. Holding her now small fatherly form carefully. Carrying her off deeper into the palace.

“CAW! CAW!”___________________________________________

Sorry for the long wait!! This was a long chapter and i wanted to spend my weekend going out! Promise i will get back to publish every day!

Enjoy!

(Edited)