#Dead Odysseus AU

[vint-knight]

Seeing a ghost...

Hermes, God of Travels, Speed, Tricks and Messages, what a delightful god that one is, born from Maia, creating the lyre from skinning a turtle and killing the cattle of Apollo, this god had quite a beginning, throughout the years nothing really shocked the god, except for some occasions of course, but on this specific day, this would shock the god the most.

Flying about the skies, Hermes had a gloomy look on his face, which is very unlike the god, but believe me friends, he had just lost one of his great grandsons, even though said, great grandson made a mistake in angering the god of seas, Hermes found amusement in him, hearing of how witty he was, he didn't feel like sending the news to Itacha, even told most of the Olympians not to bring in the news, for he did not want to hear the anguish it would cause to his family, especially Penelope.

While reminiscing on these thoughts, Hermes decided to stop by Aeaea, the island where the daughter of Helios, Circe lived with her nymphs, he and the goddess were quite casual with each other, only having minor conversations, he did not much care for the men she would make into pigs, very much understanding the reasoning.

As he was gliding down to the forests of Aeaea, the god found a figure, and almost flew into a tree if he hadn't stopped so quickly, his bright blue eyes that bared no pupils of any human widened, the figure was... a corpse, a corpse of a man, but this wasn't just any man, the man had short longish brown hair, which was slightly damp, his skin looked pale and bits of bone and rotten skin was shown, he still held some strength and beauty in his looks despite being a corpse, then there was the eyes, those grey eyes that so resembled his step sister Athena which he would joke how they looked related, the god gently flew down, not believing at the sight before him, it was Odysseus, Willy Odysseus, thee Odysseus who sacked Troy, the Odysseus who raced Penelope's father for her hand instead of trying to earn the Helen of Sparta's, the one who tried to escape the draft by pretending to be mad while planting seeds, that Odysseus was standing before him

The god of travels could muster out one word, one that sounded confused, startled, but most of all hopeful "Odysseus?"

The corpse lifted its head, the jaw was slightly half torn, showing teeth, it muttered out a strained word, but it was clear enough for the god to hear "Her... Mes?...."

And like that, an actual smile came on the god's lips and a horde of gleeful cackles came out from his mouth.

[teamfortresstwo]

Circe’s PowerPoint presentation

[gareleia]

THE KNITTING SAGA BUT ODY PULLS A BRUCE WAYNE

update: my co-writer friend FINALLY got a tumblr account, so I can tag them now!!

previously: part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4

okay, bear with me for a moment. odysseus' perspective in all of this would be fascinating. and you know what is also fascinating? the way we can do whatever we want in this AU. so we can and will keep baby Astyanax alive.

to start with, Ody doesn't kill the baby. obviously. the reason is that, while he's having his fascinating little soliloquy about the morality of child murder in JAM, some terrified nursemaid that had been hiding somewhere in the room (I imagine her behind a conveniently shaped vase) picks up a dagger and stabs him in the shoulder from behind.

obviously she fails to do the deed, and he quickly and almost automatically kills her. but he's still stabbed. non-lethally, but enough to greatly hinder him.

Ody decides to go back to his people to get first aid. he can't bring himself to kill the baby, but he also can't just leave it there for others to find, because there's no telling if the remaining Trojans would rescue the boy, or if the Greeks would take him as a prisoner/slave or adopt/lose him somewhere where Odysseus can't ensure Zeus' prophecy won't come true. so Ody takes the baby with him.

the soldiers are,,, not impressed.

Eurylochus, looking at the infant: so, uh. what do you have here, captain? Odysseus, avoiding eye contact at all costs: a smoothie-

Eurylochus in particular is beside himself thinking about the implications. but overall people are too happy about finally going back home to really make much of a fuss about it, so it's fine (for now).

anyways Odysseus is still on edge about the baby's (and everyone else's) safety, so at first he tries to bring the boy with him everywhere. but his injured shoulder doesn't allow him to actually carry the kid too much. so that job falls to Eurylochus.

Eurylochus is soooo enthusiastic about the prospect, especially when the infant starts biting his chest, trying to nurse.

the baby: h o n g r y eurylochus: ARGH! GET YOUR GODS' DAMNED KID, BRO! odysseus: it don't bite eurylochus: YES IT DO

Odysseus prohibits everyone from using the baby's real name, both to keep its origins a secret from potential enemies, and to avoid getting attached to it (in case he actually decides he wants to kill it). so Eurylochus nicknames the baby Aphe, from greek "αφαιμάσσω", which means "to leech". because the damn brat keeps biting him.

eventually he and Poletes get into a heavy debate about whether or not it's mean to call a baby a bloodsucker, and Ody, who'd been having a crisis of faith, steps in and settles it for good.

from this point on, Astyanax the Prince of Troy is officially dead. and Odysseus is bringing home his infant son Aphemachus the Prince of Ithaca. etymology is somewhere along the lines of: afaimasso (to leech) + machos (war) = Aphemachus (the blood-sucking war; the war that sucked our blood)

Eurylochus is the one who Aphemachus had gotten attached to the most, due to all the carrying (and the biggest boo). He cries all the time when they're apart, and only Poletes seems to somehow be able to distract the boy, so they end up watching him in shifts.

aphemachus: *wailing in the dead of night* eurylochus, groaning: poletes, your leech is awake. poletes, also groaning: until the sun is up it's your leech.

Odysseus at the same time is still having doubts, so he doesn't trust himself to be too close to the baby.

those thoughts will haunt him for years, and will eventually play a huge role in their relationship, even after Ody starts forcing himself to spend time with his new son to forge a bond that would hopefully stop Aphemachus from destroying Ithaca.

Aphemachus indirectly saves Poletes' life. because when they reach the cyclops' island, Poletes stays behind with the majority of the soldiers to look after the baby. as a result Polyphemus doesn't kill him.

the downside is, Polyphemus almost gets a drop on Odysseus, and in an effort to push him away from danger Eurylochus gets severely injured. his right shoulder never quite recovers, and very deep down he blames Odysseus for needing help in the first place, because not freezing up in battle is the first and most important lesson they were taught as children, and then Ody went and froze up anyway.

sidenote, in Mutiny later on Odysseus will intentionally aim for said shoulder, exploiting the weakness that Eurylochus will have been very put out by and insecure about. just to add to the overall drama.

what none of them know yet, is that Odysseus had royally pissed off Zeus by ignoring his 'friendly advice' of infanticide. so much so, in fact, that Zeus tasks Ares with ensuring that Aphemachus grows up to destroy Ithaca.

as a result, poor kid grows up with the voice of bloodthirsty God of War in his head, constantly trying to convince him that everyone secretly hates and wants to kill him, that he's been stolen from Troy for nefarious purposes, and that it's his duty to avenge his REAL family. so, basically, your standard run-of-the-mill gods-induced paranoid schizophrenia.

odysseus: so, what do you want for dinner? ares: YOUR HEAD ON A SPIKE aphemachus: a bagel ares: NOOO aphemachus: two bagels

as you can guess, the poor boy's mental health is... Not Great™. he grows up a difficult kid, sensitive, too smart for his own god, prone to angry outbursts. think a cross between Damian Wayne and Jason Todd. he's also very paranoid, and remember that Odysseus still has doubts? Aphemachus can sense that, and that scares and angers him more, which makes him lash out, to which Odysseus also tries to keep his distance even more. he doesn't have much experience at actual hands-on parenting, and it doesn't help that he's not sure if he has a right to act as a father to the boy he had indirectly orphaned and directly almost killed.

poletes, exasperated: aphe, dear, we've talked about this. you know violence is never the answer, right? aphemachus: right. aphemachus: violence is the question, and the answer is YES-

so the most consistent positive influence Aphemachus has in his life are Eurylochus, Polites, Perimedes and Elpenor - until the latter dies and Perimedes decides to stay away.

Eurylochus is the stone-faced stern mother hen. he's the one that makes lists upon lists in his head of what the baby, and later toddler, needs. he enforces bed time, makes him eat as healthy as possible on the ship, etc. as such, his status as 'favorite' is quickly revoked once the kid grows old enough to complain.

the new favorite is Poletes, who spoils Aphe rotten and has a hard time saying no to anything. he's the fun uncle who's always down to play games.

Perimedes and Elpenor are like semi-responsible older brothers, who teach him about all kinds of stuff. Perimedes is the type to give Aphe lots of different chores to keep him occupied, and Elpenor, in contrast, tends to whisk the kid away to get him to relax and unwind. he also likes to teach Aphe about stars and constellations. meanwhile Peri 100% had handed toddler Aphe a knife as a prank to test everyone's situational awareness (think Stabby the Roomba), and got shit from everyone.

eurylochus: let me see what you have! aphe: a knife! ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ eurylochus, going through all stages of grief simultaneously: NO!

Ares, while he detests lying and 'cheating', doesn't want to wait until Aphe grows up to make him wreak havoc. so instead he starts trying to trick the kid into accidentally causing bloodshed. and most of the time he targets Polites, because the peace-loving fool is an affront to everything Ares stands for.

this results in Aphe often running in between someone's legs at most unfortunate times, spilling liquid where people walk frequently, hiding fish hooks in food as a 'joke'…

it comes to a head with a contraption born out of every inch of cunning Ares possesses (not much), all Aphe's wild child imagination and many of Perimedes' trap-making lessions. it's a glorious thing, straight out of something between Home Alone and the Final Destination series.

Nobody ever really catches him, blaming the near-accidents on pure bad luck. Poletes never once notices that something is amiss, thinking he's just clumsy. the only reason he's still alive is because Elpenor is somehow always there to run interference.

Elpenor is the only one to suspect Aphe, but, since he's a dumbass alcoholic, nobody believes him, even his boyfriend Perimedes. Ares gets fed up with this and starts making Aphe target Eple instead, but before anything could really be done Ruthlessness happens, and they come to stay with Circe.

elpenor: I fear no man aphe: (✿◠‿◠) elpenor: but this thing… this thing scares me

it's only after Elpenor's untimely death that Perimedes starts to take his concerns seriously, but it's too little, too late. it's actually an honest to gods accident that Aphe has nothing to do with, but Peri had sat through so much paranoid, drunken rambling from Elpe that it just clicks to him. he blames Aphe, and, despite not voicing his concerns (because nobody would believe him either), he makes it abundantly clear that he doesn't want anything to do with Aphe anymore, to the boy's dismay.

finally, a few important notes on continuity:

in this AU the journey is a bit slower-paced than in canon, so instead of Act 1 happening almost at once after they left Troy, in the Knitting Saga after the Polyhemus fiasco, pissed off Poseidon decides to torture them first before the execution, so they are lost at sea for a couple years in between Remember Them and Storm, before Poseidon gets bored and decides to kill them for good. then they spend a year with Circe as she cooks up a way to send them into the Underworld, in the meantime hoping that Poseidon cools down somehow. then the Underworld and the Thunder Sagas happen a couple months apart, and then Ody (and Aphemachus, who is kept alive by the gods purposefully, so he has a chance to grow up and destroy Ithaca) spend 5 years with Calypso, and then another year trying to get to Ithaca.

Telegonus still exists in this AU, despite not being the son of Odysseus and Circe. instead, he is the unwanted son of Circe and some unnamed sailor from that first batch that she had taken pity upon and let her guard around. because of being born a demigod and living on a magical island his aging is a bit wonky, but he appears to be around 12-15 years old. he's a charming, confident, precocious child, who takes after his mother in personality and approaches. him and Odysseus get really close in the time that the crew stays on Aeaea, because Telegonus is not (as far as Ody knows, at least) prophecized to harm Ithaca and Odysseus desperately misses Telemachus; while Telegonus just imprints on the first dad-shaped adult he sees. Aphe is sad and desperately jealous.

aphemachus: d-daddy??|･ω･) odysseus: do I look like- ಠ益ಠ telegonus: you are my dad! you're my dad! boogie-woogie-woogie! (~˘▾˘)~ odysseus: awww!! yes!! what a good boy!!(✿◠‿◠) aphemachus: ಠ_ಠ

fun fact, Ody considers leaving Aphe on Calypso's island. Aphe, who's like 8-9 at the time, almost expects him to do so. only on the morning of their departure do they have a heart-to-heart about how Ody was a shitty, emotionally unavailable father, and how Aphe only ever wanted to be loved.

fun fact 2, telegonus will make another appearance later ٩(๑･ิᴗ･ิ)۶

[the-storyteller78]

Y'a reckon you could sketch Penelope or Odysseus in a cowboy version of the Iliad/Odyssey?

@cowboy-iliad-au

I reckon I could 😜 This was honestly so fun, and it gave me a chance to practice drawing a man, so thanks for the request! I might add to it later and include Penelope, but here’s cowboy Odysseus for now~

(And if the wrinkles and folds of his clothing don’t make sense to you, don’t worry. They don’t make sense to me either. Which is the problem. 😀)

[just-an-enby-lemon]

An Epic!AU where instead of ignoring the Telegony we shape it into a terrible tragedy.

Or where Odysseus chooses to save Astanayx and raise him as his own.

In a decision he knew he would one day regret Odysseus promisses he will one day tell the boy his origins - before Zeus can - and if need be convince the boy to kill only him and not Ithaca (as he would by that time had spend his final years with his wife and son). And to ensure he would keep it he named the boy Telegonus (meaning "born away"), so one day the kid would ask about his name and that would be the day Odysseus would tell him the (probably watered down and very "it was all Paris fault") truth .

Except as their journey became more and more dangerous and more and more man died it became clear that the boat was not a good place to raise a child. The boy, it apparead would die anyway. And Odysseus would not anger Zeus for nothing. So he left the child at the first safe place: at Circe's hands.

Raised by Circe, Telegonus never discovers the truth of his past, he dreams with a voice that tells him to find his true origin, but Circe lies (or maybe tells her truth), and sends him to find Odysseus, the father of his early memories.

But when he steps on Ithaca he is driven into a mad frenezy by Zeus that only stops when he kills Odysseus. The rest of the story is Telegonus trying to redeem himself but also understand what happened and why.

Telemachus joins him, as it was Odysseus last wishes and the two part on a journey that involves meeting a lot of figures from the Troyan war. (My Telemachus X Neoptolemus [and Telemachus X Nausicaa maybe] agenda that no one else has because why would they figures right about here in my head along with Astanayx meeting Andromache cause Andromache deserves some happiness)

Penelope and Circe also met at some point.

There is no Penelope x Telegonus/Circe x Telemachus because I hate it.

[deadbaguette]

Gripping Telemachus by the shoulders like ohhh this is the guy I’m going to project ALL my found family feels onto

[yuechicake]

Chase is literally the Odyssean figure of our modern era. A man who is metaphorically in exile from home (ie a place to belong), and who has wandered and suffered for years, emotionally and physically, on his journey to find home again.

Clever and wily and silver-tongued, a trickster who thinks he can get out of any situation until he overextends himself, and finds himself in a spot of trouble he can't escape that his honeyed words have brought himself into.

Someone who has lost everything, time and time again, but still keeps desperately surviving, even if it means he has to crawl forward on his hands and knees.

[limblesstar]

thinking about how if im following the loose story of kotor 2 the first time patroclus meets odysseus he would 1. be in his underwear from having just woke up from torpor 2. find odysseus in a prison cell

absolutely HILARIOUS scenario.

[faithfulcat111]

ST Epic Cycle AU feat. Buckingham as Menelaus and Helen

Quotes are from The Illiad, The Orestia, The Odyssey, and Helen

[pa1nrema1ns]

Master and Apprentice || Sung Jin-woo (Part 1 of 3)

Siren!Jin-woo x Deaf!Omega!reader

A/N - Hello everyone! This fic was inspired by the lovely @forbidden-sunlight's siren!au. We both collaborated on this piece and it serves as a direct sequel to her imagine, so do be sure to check it out first! This story picks up right where her imagine left off.

╰┈➤ Prequel by @forbidden-sunlight

Content warnings: 18+ MDNI, mythical creatures au, canon divergent, a/b/o dynamics, afab!reader, suggestive themes, obsessive thoughts, slightly ooc Jin-woo (he's very reverent towards Ashborn), mentions of violence, death, and despair, forbidden romance (humans and sirens are natural enemies), eventual yandere!Jin-woo.

Word Count - 3.6k

Summary - Sung Jin-woo seeks answers about his potential mate from Ashborn in the deepest depths of the abyss.

Dividers by @anitalenia and @firefly-graphics

After what feels like an eternity, Jin-woo comes to an abrupt stop. He wasn’t tired in the slightest, but he couldn’t finish this journey unless he was in the right frame of mind. If he was going to face the sea monarch, Ashborn, then he needed to compose himself. He was his mentor’s prized disciple, after all.

Resolute in his decision, Jin-woo pinches his brow, shuts his eyes, and releases a deep, suffering sigh. He had to stop ruminating over the useless ‘what ifs’ of his current situation and focus on the matter at hand. You emitting pheromones in his presence was proof enough that you were a compatible mate, but this would be meaningless if you were unreceptive to him. It also begs the question, was humanity even capable of consorting with sirens? In search of an answer, he reminisces about the tales of old passed down by generations of his kin, as well as the many speculations made by humans.

No one knew the exact origins of his species. Most humans assumed the progenitors were Persephone’s handmaidens, punished by Demeter after Hades had taken her daughter to the underworld and forced her into becoming his queen. Some stories also claimed that seafoam  birthed them, but Jin-woo scoffed at this particularly ridiculous rumor. A scholar had recently published an article on how sirens may actually be the offspring of the river deity Achelous and a divine songstress, citing notations from various mythos on this theory. In truth, reality was far simpler than any of these far-fetched narratives.

There was just no definitive explanation for the existence of sirens. They were not interchangeable with the peaceful denizens of the ocean, known as mermaids and mermen. While all fell under the umbrella of the term ‘merfolk,’ the sirens had a far more hostile and bloodstained relationship with humans.

Since time immemorial, his brethren were viewed as nothing but a scourge upon this world of humanity. Beautiful as a raging typhoon and every bit as devastating, the sirens served as harbingers of doom and destruction for those foolish enough to risk the perilous waters. Their heavenly voices were tantamount to the funeral dirges used to usher the dead into the afterlife. It would be understandable to believe that the sirens were the monsters in this baleful story. However, human nature at its core is fraught with wickedness, and men soon grew wise to the machinations of merfolk.

Odysseus was the first to survive an encounter with sirens. During his voyage to Ithaca, the cunning man had instructed his crew to plug their ears with beeswax, effectively blocking the intoxicating songs that had ended the lives of so many before them. Emboldened by the success of Odysseus’s scheme, other sailors began using this method to conquer the sea and establish trade routes. Within a matter of a couple hundred years, humans not only overcame their fear of sirens, but they also poached them. Huntsmen would capture, torture, and kill Jin-woo’s ancestors simply for crossing paths with them. Worse yet, these scoundrels would often murder merfolk solely to harvest their organs, bones, and scales. They would then use the defiled corpses as ingredients for commodities, medication, and even aphrodisiacs. It was truly grotesque, if not outright barbaric, and more than justified the ire his kind felt towards humanity. While they hunted for the noble sake of survival, men did it for bloodsport and money.

The horrific fates suffered by many of their beloved brothers and sisters particularly infuriated the alphas, with their robust constitutions and natural sense of leadership. With a thirst for vengeance, they began targeting and attacking ships, ports, and even beaches. The alphas considered any place or vehicle that harbored humans as eligible targets. The less temperamental betas remained neutral and avoided the bloodshed, opting to prey upon shoals of fish and other maritime animals instead. Omegas could not join in the hunt, as they were far too precious to lose. They were the most cherished and talented singers amongst the sirens and required around-the-clock protection because of their significant rarity. These were the origins of the current hierarchical structure Jin-woo adhered to.

After recalling the tumultuous history of his people in its entirety, Jin-woo clenches his fists until his knuckles turn white. This was so damn frustrating! Rather than granting him an understanding of his attraction, it just proved all the more why it was so illogical. 

Defeated, Jin-woo raises his head, opens his eyes, and continues to swim.

Another hour passes before he finds himself at the ingress of Ashborn’s lair. His enigmatic teacher lived in almost complete obscurity. Devoid of any light, and enveloped by a suffocating aura, this nautical cavern intimidated all who dared to approach it. Well, almost all that is apart from Jin-woo. He effortlessly permeates the invisible barrier designed to keep intruders at bay and ventures into his master’s spiritual domain.

Despite being an ancient and powerful king of the sea, Ashborn made the strange decision to emulate a land-like environment in his personal chambers.

As Jin-woo manifests into the realm, his appearance gives way to a form more befitting of a land dweller. His tail separates into two legs, his scales smoothen into skin, and he loses the winged fins on his ears and back. Once finished with this metamorphosis, Jin-woo takes a deep breath. Fresh pine, grass, and flowers perfume the air as he’s greeted by a lush valley. It had been a while since he had visited, and the setting had required him to transform into a human. Interestingly, transfiguration was one of the first skills Ashborn taught him. Speaking of his mentor –

“My disciple, it is good to see you again, though you appear…troubled. Tell me, what ails you so?” A rumbling voice rings across the horizon, signaling Ashborn’s approach; the tenebrous essence of the powerful deity contrasting with the greenery of the land. He appears in front of Jin-woo as a great dark knight. Much like his surroundings, Ashborn’s current visage was nothing but an illusion. Even the bravest of warriors said that his lifelike image invoked sheer terror in their hearts.

Many speculate he possesses a massive stature, at least several leagues in height and breadth alone, with piercing eyes and endless tendrils of dark hair. Others claim he is the son of Poseidon, one of the twelve Olympians, and a God of destruction who presided over the sea. However, Jin-woo never once witnessed this side of his teacher in all the years he’s been under his mentorship. Ashborn certainly exuded dignity, but he still displayed a humble attitude. And without fail, he would always appear in that strange, armored suit whenever he was in Jin-woo’s presence.

“My teacher, I must ask for your help on an urgent matter,” Jin-woo starts, anxiously running his tongue across his bottom lip. “This morning, while I was scavenging, I stumbled across the unmistakable aroma of an unmarked omega. It…it was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. As if I was being beckoned by someone or something. I wanted, no, I needed to heed its call.”

Ashborn listens in silence, his expression indiscernible. Jin-woo continued.

 “When I arrived, I was in front of a monstrosity of a ship – a yacht right by the sandbanks. At first, I assumed that someone had taken an unfortunate siren captive. But when I finally saw her–”

“You recognized she was human. Not only that, but she belongs to the lowest level of the hierarchy, an omega. Speak if I am wrong, my dear pupil.” Jin-woo lowers his head in shame, fringe obscuring his eyes. This action all but confirms it.

“I don’t know what to do or how to proceed, teacher. Everything I’ve learned about these creatures has made me detest them. But I can’t bring myself to hate her. How could this even be possible? We are not even of the same species. She’s my enemy, my prey…. At least, she’s supposed to be.” His voice lowers into a near whisper as he ends his confused rambling.

“And yet you don’t view her that way, do you child?” Ashborn poses a question he already knows the answer to but needs to hear in his pupil’s own words.

“No, I don’t,” Jin-woo replies grimly. “I yearn to know more about her. And not just that. I want to meet her, court her, and make her mine. If she’ll even have me, that is… So please, teacher, tell me if there is any meaning behind what I feel. Am I destined for something that bears no place in reality?”

Ashborn remains uncharacteristically quiet while faced with such a loaded question. All is eerily silent for a few moments, save for the cheerful chirping of the illusionary songbirds. At last, the monarch gazes at Jin-woo and gives him the answer he so desperately desires.

“It is entirely possible Sung Jin-woo, alpha of Jindo island, for I am proof of such a fantastical circumstance. My first and only love was also a human omega. A woman I devoted my entire being to over a millennium ago.”

Jin-woo’s eyes widened in shock at this revelation. His mentor had fallen in love at some point, and it was with a member of the human race? This was unheard of.

“I never knew you had a lover,” Jin-woo murmurs softly. “What was she like? Do you still remember everything about her after so many years?”

“Let me show you, my disciple. It is a tragic tale that words alone cannot properly convey.” With a wave of Ashborn’s hand, their surroundings began to morph and alter. The valley transforms into a spacious, yet quaint medieval village composed of several wooden houses with a bustling marketplace at its center.

When Jin-woo regains his bearings, he notices his mentor has also metamorphosized. A man with a sun kissed complexion, long dark hair, and a beard stands where he once stood. Though visibly unrecognizable, he was unmistakably Ashborn. A crimson cape was clasped to the pristine silver armor he wore. A paladin. Jin-woo recalls. He had some knowledge of the past lives of men through his rare excursions onto the Mainland. While disguised as a human, Jin-woo once traded in his goods for a textbook on history. He was loath to admit just how intriguing he had found it.

Ashborn speaks, his voice no longer resonating within the confines of shadowy steel.

“It was here in this village that I came across her. She was the only daughter of a peasant farmer. A strong-willed, rapscallion of a woman with a wit sharper than any blade. I can remember her beauty, her warmth, and her tenacity as clear and concise as the day we met.” He says with a wistful gaze. The scene then shifts to a woman in a pure white gown. Her eyes remained hidden, but it did nothing to impede upon her loveliness. The woman runs animatedly towards a man who looks identical to Ashborn’s borrowed likeness and leaps into his arms. The man then effortlessly spins her around before bringing her into a kiss. Jin-woo watches on, mesmerized by what was unfolding in front of him.

“I feared her rejection once she knew the truth of my identity,” Ashborn admits. “On the night we first made love, I finally revealed to her my status as ruler of the sea. However, it did not matter. She loved me wholly and unconditionally, regardless of who or what I was. Such was the strength of her resolve.” In the next instance, they return to the same valley from earlier. What differs this time is that the man and woman are there, unacknowledging of Jin-woo and Ashborn’s presence. Lost in their own special world. The woman has a flower crown on her head, and she sits on the grass, holding the man’s head in her lap. Both appear happy and at ease.

“For the first time in my existence, I experienced true contentment. I long to return to those days, but alas, our bliss did not last.”

Ashborn solemnly shuts his eyes as darkness overtakes the sky and rain falls. The man is now shown standing at a grave with an expression of anguish marring his face. The woman is nowhere to be seen, although Jin-woo knows exactly where she’s at.

“A plague was scourging the land and indiscriminately ending the lives of thousands. I tried to protect her with my magic, but it was to no avail. She fell gravely ill despite my best efforts. I discovered shortly thereafter that omegas were more susceptible to sickness than their contemporaries. If I had known beforehand, I would’ve brought her to the sea with me, away from that damned disease. But I was a fool who was willing to love and live with her as a man, not as a king. And as punishment for my hubris, an ailment snuffed out her life.”

At the end of his recollection, Ashborn’s lair returns to its original state. His mentor had also regained his shadowy exterior. The valley appears completely untouched by time, as if it were still one thousand years in the past. That’s why his lair looks like this. Jin-woo thinks as he finally recognizes its significance, It was their personal sanctuary. After a few moments of silence, Ashborn speaks.

“Although our circumstances are similar, you still have the privilege of choice. I cannot turn back time, nor can I change the past, but I am grateful. I experienced unspeakable grief, yes, but I also would have never encountered such love, tenderness, and passion had I not taken a chance on my omega. You, my disciple, still have free rein over your decision. Should you choose to pursue this woman, you have my blessing and irrefutable proof that she is a viable mate for you. If not, you will still receive my unwavering support in your future endeavors. The choice is yours to make.”

Jin-woo’s throat bobs. He feels an incredible sense of guilt at unearthing his master’s secret.

“My teacher, I apologize for prying into your past. I – I did not mean to bring up painful memories for you. I cannot imagine what you have endured. As of right now, I am not sure what it is I want, but I know for a fact I cannot give up on this human. I will need some time to contemplate and sort out my feelings. If you will excuse me.”

Jin-woo bows his head before turning to take his leave. As he approaches the exit, a sudden thought emerges at the forefront of his mind.

“Teacher, there is one more question I must ask. This human, she does not speak with words. She communicates with her hands and gestures. Is this some type of sorcery or spell that she’s casting?”

“It is most likely sign language, a manner of non-verbal communication used by humans who are unable to vocalize or hear. Perhaps she cannot speak, or has a hearing impairment, so she must express herself through other means.” Ashborn answers, curiosity lacing his voice.

Jin-woo feels his heart sinking. A siren’s serenade played a pivotal role in the mating ritual and was performed just prior to consummating an eternal bond. If what Ashborn said is true, then there is a possibility you could be immune to his song. This meant he wouldn't be able to use it on you when the time came…

He grits his teeth as he remembers your smiling face. Try as he might, Jin-woo just could not get you out of his head, nor was he willing to let you escape his grasp. You may not have realized it yet, but you had unknowingly sunk your fangs into him and the seeds of obsession were already beginning to take root. Rather than being discouraged by Ashborn’s observation, he instead finds himself reinvigorated.

“Teacher, disregard everything I said earlier. I now know what it is I must do.”

Ashborn peers into the eyes of his disciple, relieved by the determination that lights them. This was much more like the obstinate young man he knew.

“I choose to seek this omega and stake my claim, no matter what challenges may await the two of us,” Jin-woo proclaims proudly. “I will make her mine, but only if she consents to my proposal. And if not through song, then through other courtship methods. I am strong, stronger than any other alpha in my territory, and I know I can protect her from all who would wish her harm. I won’t let my mate slip through my fingers.”

“But what of maladies and the passage of time? You can fight against gods and monsters until the end of your days, but sickness or her ephemeral lifespan will not spare this young woman. In the end, your time with her shall be fleeting.” Ashborn ruthlessly counters Jin-woo’s declaration of protection.

Jin-woo bites his lip, not expecting this development. However, before he can muster a response, his mentor graces him with an answer.

“I know of one way you can overcome this. There is a recipe for an elixir known as the Holy Water of Life. It is a miraculous potion that can imbue invulnerability to communicable diseases, extend lifespan, and transform the consumer into a siren. I unfortunately did not have knowledge of such a panacea while I was with my love. Of course, I live with the regret of not discovering it sooner, as now I have no such use for it, but this does not mean I will idly stand by and let history repeat itself with my protégé.”

With a flash of light, an ancient scroll appears in front of Jin-woo. It unravels by itself to reveal its contents to him. Jin-woo’s eyes widen as he reads. Is this…?

“Behold. The ingredients for crafting the Holy Water of Life. I bequeath this boon unto you, my disciple. However, heed my warning as the acquisition of these components requires you to conquer all 100 floors of the Demon’s Castle and to defeat its king, Baran. This is a treacherous dungeon that may claim your life if you are unprepared for it, but it can also impart you with unspeakable power should you prevail.”

Jin-woo perks up at this information, his interest now fully piqued. “Tell me, master, where can I find the Demon’s Castle?”

“It hides far away, in the city of Seoul, within an incorporeal dominion. It is a flame-ridden landscape that will require you to assume the form of a human to enter the castle. Knowing all the risks it entails; do you still accept my offer?”

“I do,” Jinwoo confidently states.

“Very well,” Ashborn nods his assent, and a key materializes into Jin-woo’s palm.

“Use this key to open the gate to the Demon’s Castle. I have also implanted it with the coordinates to the dungeon’s location. You need only close your eyes and grasp onto the key to visualize it.”

Following the instructions, Jin-woo sees a map that details the exact distance from his current whereabouts to the metropolitan area of Seoul. It will be a lengthy trip, even with his impressive swimming prowess. He estimates it will take roughly half a day to arrive at his destination. Undeterred, Jin-woo presses onward.

“Teacher, I cannot thank you enough for all your help and guidance over these last few years. I give you my word; I will return alive and well, both with the elixir and Baran’s head. And then I will meet with the omega and court her in earnest.”

He departs without another word, although his promise relays an unspoken farewell between them. After some time passes, Ashborn stares at the vast skies of his domain and muses to himself.

“You have grown so much from when I rescued you from the Cartenon Temple all those years ago, Sung Jin-woo. I could not be prouder of you, my disciple. Till our next encounter.”

12 hours later...

Jin-woo finally emerges from the dark, briny waters that frame Seoul’s coastline.

After leaving Ashborn’s lair, he briefly returned home to pack and prepare for the journey ahead. Both Jin-ah and his mother were worried about his sudden departure, so he did the best he could to assuage their fears by giving them a sanitized version of the truth.

Jin-woo claimed Ashborn had provided him with a list of rare ingredients that were only available for purchase in the human markets at Seoul. He even promised to bring back a box of chocolates as a souvenir, something his mother and little sister had enjoyed during one of his return trips to the surface. He then traveled the full 413-kilometer distance from Jindo-gun to Seoul, stopping only for a few hours to rest and recuperate.

As he approaches land, he assumes the form of a naked human man and walks inland from the sea. However, Jin-woo comes to a halt when he becomes more aware of his current state of nudity. While it didn’t bother him, it would cause a lot of unnecessary trouble if any nosy beachgoers happened upon him and asked questions. It is also…pretty embarrassing to admit that he is…wobbly on these legs. Very much so.

He quickly summons his magical inventory and grabs a simple black t-shirt, boxers, fitted jeans, and athletic sneakers (‘Adidas’, the portly sales attendant had called them). As worthless as he found human decorum to be, Jin-woo needed to remain as inconspicuous as possible while he was in disguise. Once dressed, he strolled into the city. After 45 minutes, he found himself at the designated street junction on the map. Taking a deep breath, he brings forth the key, turns it, and unlocks the gate. 

⚓︎ To be continued...

[scarlet-sam-chaos]

with #manwhore au going around again, me being me is posting dis again:

i cant mansplain, manipulate, manslaughter my way out of this (manwhore it is-)

“She offered me everything, Zeus,” Odysseus continued, his voice low and intimate. “But I resisted, for my heart belonged only to Penelope. Like this...”

‘Witnessing this,’ Eurylochus thought as he watched Odysseus- still bleeding and wearing what was practically rags by now- sway dramatically, ‘was worse than being potentially dead.’

Hera, sensing the tension between the mortal and her husband, cleared her throat pointedly. “That's enough, Odysseus,” she interjected with a raised eyebrow, her tone carrying a hint of amusement.

Or, how Odysseus managed to save himself as well as his crew. He learnt that ruthlessness was mercy from Poseidon, and that there are other ways of persuation from Circe.

[vint-knight]

WIP The Lady of the Palace sees a living corpse

[caramellcandy]

Au where some of the ghosts of the crew come back to haunt Odysseus or just spend more time with the rest of the crew, they started appearing after the underworld saga, most of them stopped appearing after thunder bringer.

If you ask what's the logic of them getting out of the underworld, idk maybe Hades was tired of dealing with the amount of people Odysseus got dead and said "fuck it, go haunt him".

This au exists just cause I thought Eurylochus would look cool with lighting scars.

Probably will change some things eventually, I don't have my main drawing program right now so I'll re draw it anyway.

edit: I added something new to Eurylochus, thanks anon for the idea

[charbydis-musings]

Ambrosia: Chapter 1

This wouldn't have spawned without Anniflamma's Manwhore!Au for Epic and raving with @scyllas-dogs about Poseidon backshots on election night to cope. Enjoy. TW: Sexual themes, mild violence, biting, and Zeus. A03 link

“Enlighten me, Odysseus. What do you value most?” Patience was a waning thing in Zeus’ tone, the god leaning in close and as smothering as the humid front of a storm.  A strong hand grasped Odysseus’ jaw, bringing in the king nose to nose to with a god who now stood to scale with the man atop the deck.

The unblinking eyes of his crew and the electric gaze of a king upon him, nowhere to run and none to outwit. To persuade? Odysseus raised his chin in Zeus’ grasp, shrugging off his tattered tunic from his shoulder, “There are many roads to settle a debt owed, no?”

The fingertips digging into his jaw faltered a moment, the gall of a mortal making Zeus falter for a scant moment before he spoke, “Persuade me then.” 

Choose.

Not a question, but a demand thundering from the heavens. Hand braced against the mast of his ship, his last ship, Odysseus staunched his wound with little more than a trembling palm as he locked eyes with the King of the Gods.

A face he had not hoped to see again since Troy burned. Zeus loomed as tall as the decimated sails of the boat. Eyes as brilliant as lightning glowered upon him and his crew.

“Enlighten me, Odysseus. What do you value most?” Patience was a waning thing in Zeus’ tone, the god leaning in close and as smothering as the humid front of a storm.  A strong hand grasped Odysseus’ jaw, bringing in the king nose to nose to with a god who now stood to scale with the man atop the deck.

The unblinking eyes of his crew and the electric gaze of a king upon him, nowhere to run and none to outwit. To persuade? Odysseus raised his chin in Zeus’ grasp, shrugging off his tattered tunic from his shoulder, “There are many roads to settle a debt owed, no?”

The fingertips digging into his jaw faltered a moment, the gall of a mortal making Zeus falter for a scant moment before he spoke, “Persuade me then.” 

Odysseus steeled himself, avoiding Eurylocus’ stare weighing upon his back, going so far as to voice, “Capt-“

A glare from Zeus landed with the cracking of thunder. The god’s larger palm closed on the front of Ody’s tunic, drawing him in closer at the threat of an interfering hand. Perfect, Ody seized the opening, tangling a hand onto Zeus’ curling mane of sun bleached hair. 

Odysseus tasted of sweat and the iron of blood, the same which wept from his wound and stained Zeus’ toga as the King threw himself into the kiss as if his life depended on it. In truth, it did. Zeus grasped his backside for leverage, feeling the mortal’s fragile pulse hammering against his bruised ribs like a fluttering bird.

Fragile, scuffed, and so close to breaking. A slip of the hand could fell a man in his state, left in the palm of a god. Fortunately, carnal hunger outweighed the satisfaction of dead men slain for a sin. The groan Odysseus released was a rasping one, the man’s grip slackening on Zeus’ locks as his body slumped against the god. 

There was something admirable in his gumption to try. Splaying a palm over Odysseus’ back, Zeus hoisted the man into his arms with a sigh. “Ride the wind eastwards if you lot wish to see your home again. I will not spare you a second boon.” 

In the clap of thunder and flash of lightning, the pair vanished from sight. ----------------------

Odysseus awoke to the babbling water and rising steam, his cheek resting against the supple firmness of a man’s thigh. His eyes snapped open, spine going ramrod straight in alarm before a strong hand cupped the back of his neck.

“Rest.” Zeus chided, pushing Odysseus’ down to rest in his lap once more. 

Odysseus set his jaw, grasping the rim of the pool with a heated, “What have you done?”

“Nothing beyond what I was bid to consider.” Zeus arched a brow, “Settle your debt not in blood, little king, but with the flesh and its pleasures. I find the prospect agreeable nor is my wine bearer against the idea of a respite.”

Odysseus turned his face lower, rasping out, “I can’t be daunted again, I have to make it home-“

“To Penelope and Telemachus. You sang your plight quite succinctly to the sirens before ruthlessly butchering them.” Zeus held a freyong lock of brown hair that was increasingly streaked by gray in recent months, “A year. Withstand that sum of time in service as my wine bearer atop Olympus, then you shall find yourself returned to Ithaca.”

“…What of my crew?” Odysseus asked after a pregnant pause.

“On course to reach the isle in three days time if they follow the prevailing winds I bid Aeolus to cast.” Zeus flatly replied, “My boon is my end of a bargain struck, little king. Now tis time for you to uphold yours.”

Odysseus didn’t have time to speak before Zeus’ lips were on his throat, tongue and teeth working against delicate skin. The god laved his tongue over Odysseus’ throat with a rumbling sigh in pleasure, his hands wandering south towards the mortal’s thighs for a proper grasp.

Odysseus writhed, sputtering out a gasp as blunt teeth broke the skin of his throat and were liable to leave bruises in their wake. Zeus was unbothered by his thrashing, hiking Ody’s thigh over his hip and dipping him into a kiss in the shallow waters.  Braced against the steps of the basin and chest to chest with the king of the gods, Odysseus’ pushed against Zeus’ chest and finally broke contact, “Wine bearer or whore, be straight with me!”

Zeus grimaced, “You opened this door, Odysseus, do not be affronted when I come to collect.”

A hand moved to grasp his throat, a weight and a warning as Ody’s breathing faltered in anticipation of a choke that never came. Roughly, Zeus wedged a knee between Ody’s shaking thighs and rasped against his ear, “Yield or I can cast you to my brother, little king. His sense of justice is far more inflexible than my own. He writhes and protests even now as I withhold you from the grasp of the ocean. Is his ire more alluring than my affection?”

Slowly, Odysseus shook his head, silent as the grave when he spread his legs. 

“Good.” Zeus clapped his shoulder and withdrew, satisfied at having tested the waters. Odysseus was left panting on his back, tense and his member throbbing with need.

“T-Thats it?” He whispered under his breath, feeling Zeus’ fingers lift his chin.

“For now. You’re clean enough to walk these halls, come.” Zeus stepped from the bath, casting a sky blue swath of silk towards Odysseus. With it a heavy broach of an eagle lay in the cloth. 

Ody swallowed thickly as he left the pool and examined the garment, “…What became of my tunic-“

“Ruined beyond measure.” Zeus stood tall over the king, not one for modesty it seemed as he was less quick to dress. Ody’s gaze tentatively ventured south, his mouth going dry at the girth between Zeus’ strong legs- the girth he’d been inches away from. 

Hastily with cheeks aflame, Odysseus turned his gaze down towards marble floors.

----------------------

In the palace of the gods, Ody mercifully could place few faces. Hermes nor Athena were present to see him at Zeus’ feet, narrowly covered by the blue toga offered to him. Much of his chest and bruised throat lay exposed, the draping toga managing to cover his backside and upper thighs at least. 

The ruined canvas of bruised skin and bites was plain to see, as intended. Odysseus kept his jaw set and his eyes downcast as he raised the golden bowl higher towards Zeus’ expectant hand, fine wine sloshing in the vessel as the offered libations.

Things first went awry when Zeus grasped Odysseus’ by the throat, tender enough not to choke, yet forceful enough to draw a gasp from the king. Drawn up onto the throne, Zeus grasped the libation bowl, brows furrowed in contemplation as he mused, “A sweeter cup than gold might be the supple flesh of a man. What does a King taste like? I wonder.”

Wine was heavy and cool against Odysseus’s face, flowing in a red stream from his crown and down his cheek to his throat. Zeus was a man unrestrained in his lusts, laving his tongue up from Ody’s bruised jugular. His lips moved from neck to jaw, the god drinking his fill of wine from Odysseus’ flesh. Wincing at the drink staining his hair and beard, with one eye shut to avoid the sting, Ody grunted at the contact as he gripped a tight fistful of Zeus’ toga. The hand on his throat shifted from neck to hip, drawing Odysseus onto Zeus’ lap to straddle his hips.

Discarded, the empty bowl clattered to the tile as Zeus tangled a hand through Odysseus’ hair. Golden eyes were filled with mirth as he basked at the sight of the disheveled king, “Sweet as nectar.”

Odysseus groaned, tucking his face into Zeus’ shoulder, doing anything to avoid eye contact in his fluster. He felt the throbbing want of the god against his groin, obscured solely by fabric and feeling the heat of Zeus’ need with unfettered intensity. Rather than take his pound of flesh, Zeus was content to let the king catch his breath, a warm comfort against his broad chest. 

His trends with Ganymede had been no different, his court unbothered by the sight of another fair face adorning his throne. With a face flushed as deeply as wine, Odysseus exhaled hotly as he tried to inch away from Zeus’ prodding member- halted with a hand grasping his backside openly.

Zeus’ grip on supple flesh was firmer than a soldier’s palm to a sword, ever a man reluctant to part with his spoils. 

----------------------

Odysseus cursed under his breath as he rinsed out the drying, tacky texture of wine from his hair, stubbornly looking away from Zeus as the god lounged on a chaise with a glass of wine in hand.

“Loyalty like yours is a rare thing.” Zeus remarked, chin resting atop his closed fist as he watched Odysseus, “A crew decimated, the odds of survival ever growing slim, and not once did you buckle in consorting with another. Until now.” 

Odysseus held his tongue, shoulders taut as he remembered the slamming gales of the storm and Poseidon’s cruel lesson.

Ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves.

“Anything to get home, it became the price I had to pay.” Odysseus replied, his tone distant as he finally saw the water run clear.

“43 men left under your command when my brother decimated your fleet. 37 with the price offered to Scylla.” Zeus mused, “Blood would stain your hands all the same, you chose who would bleed by one way or another.”

“…It was an infant.” Odysseus whispered, head low and his curling locks hiding his face.

“It was the will of the gods,” Zeus coolly countered, “Root and stem, or you suffer an endless cycle of upstarts and budding chaos. If you cannot learn ruthlessness after Poseidon’s instruction, may a year under me leave you a wiser man with an ounce of more piety.”

Odysseus worked his jaw, moving to grab the pitcher of wine and a glass of his own. Zeus watched his brewing frustration, brows furrowed as he sighed, “Hubris will be the death of you, little king.” 

“Maybe.” Odysseus muttered, nursing his glass with a heated exhale.

Zeus hooked a finger though the front of Odysseus’ toga, drawing the king into his lap, “Ten years without your wife’s touch, how did you weather celibacy, Odysseus?”

“Do you not love Hera as a man loves his wife?” Odysseus questioned in return, equally as bewildered.

With a deepening frown, Zeus sighed, “Does wine always render you so morose?”

“No.” Odysseus gruffly stole another sip before Zeus had the wisdom to pry the glass away.

“If my wine bearer craves libations, he ought to be properly served.” Zeus drawled.

 Ody grimaced at his glass being held aloft, his disdain faltering into disbelief as Zeus poured the wine into his cupped palm.

Sweet red wine danced and dripped from the god’s broad palm, Zeus’ grin growing wide as he grasped Ody by the front and lightly pulled him forward.

“Drink, King of Ithaca.” He crooned, enjoying how wide Ody’s eyes had become as the man bared his teeth. He refused to lean in and press his lips to Zeus’ awaiting palm. Impatient with the ling’s petulance, Zeus brought his hand to Ody’s soft mouth, grasping the man’s jaw as he guided him to drink.

Odysseus swallowed, reluctantly and with burning indignation coloring his cheeks red. Zeus admired the sight, “I will tame you yet, my wolf-“

Blunt teeth split divine skin, honeyed ichor mingling with wine as Odysseus bit the hand which fed him. 

Zeus wrenched back his palm, eyes blazing in fury as electric static crackled until- gold stained Odysseus’ maw, the man licking his lips instinctively at the new taste of blood and wine. A dark thought fluttered across Zeus’ mind, there are many ways for him to taste me.

Odysseus had stepped back, wiping his mouth with a wince and not a word in apology as he cursed, “I am not your damned pet!”

“You are mine,” Zeus rumbled, advancing on the man and smoothly seizing Odysseus by his narrow waist. Draped across Zeus’ shoulder, the King of Ithaca was helpless as the god grasped his bare thigh and ass, striding like a soldier on a mission. In truth, the only mission on Zeus’ mind was to see if finally, he could have a man so proud moaning like a concubine astride his cock before the night was out.

[restlesskeychains]

For the zombie apocolypse au, I imagine that it’s Odysseus and Telemachus just surviving the world together. And Odysseus has got this radio that was given to him by Athena, and that radio plays several channels, one of which being a news channel thats run by Hermes and at the end of those broadcasts there’s a few lines of morse code that play. Those lines are coordinates and times to different locations, and Odysseus would go there and be supplied with food, medicine, anything by his mentor and previous teacher, Athena. Telemachus is like 5 years old in this au, and they’re both by themselves. Also Odysseus thinks Penelope is dead.

[lyculuscaelus]

The way you can put Odysseus in so many situations like Friends to Lovers, Hurt/Comfort, Hurt/No Comfort, Soulbond, Presumed Dead, Modern AU, Angst, Fluff, etc., literally proves him to be the one living up to his epithet, Odysseus polytropos, aka, the man of many tropes