#little odysseus and his friend the goddess of wisdom

[itszorrito67]

This is so stupid

(basado en un audio de Malcon el de enmedio)

[anotherlongstoryshort]

Things about the Wisdom Saga that have plagued me all damn day

Legendary

Whether intentional or not, Miguel's Telemachus really sounds like a younger version of Jorge's Odysseus. And that hurts.

"If I fight those monsters, is it you I'll find?" The layers. Could he go out and hunt for his father? Could he find his 'legendary' strength within himself? Or will Odysseus be the 'monster' he finds?

"Somebody help me, come and give me the strength" And his call is answered T_T

20 years.

Antinous fully interrupts this bop. Rude.

Ayron sounds legitimately scary and Telemachus taking a stand is so O.O

Little Wolf

I wanna fight this guy. Love that Athena agrees. (The beat of the song and sharp bursts of vocals really emulate blows.)

The quaver on "I don't know how".

Athena is immediately charmed by Telemachus' enthusiasm. She sounds so fond.

The fact she sees heart in him as an advantage when it was Odysseus choosing heart over mind that drove them apart. Guh.

Did she tell him to bite Antinous? XD

"Oh, maybe I pushed you a bit too hard." The change in her perspective is already so apparent - she wouldn't have admitted a mistake or miscalculation to Odysseus.

We'll Be Fine

"I had a friend before..." A FRIEND? FRIEND?!?!

An admission that she didn't fully appreciate what Odysseus was going through, that she feels guilty for having "missed it all".

It's unclear to begin with if she's come to Telemachus for Odysseus, or to try and replace him. Both are equally heart-breaking.

"I don't know who your friend is, I don't know what he's like" UNKNOWINGLY ECHOING HIS OWN THOUGHTS IN 'LEGENDARY'. NO IT'S FINE I'M FINE.

"The best day of my life because I got in a fight and I didn't die! :D" Telemachus, child, please.

"We'll be fine" using the same run as "this is my goodbye" T_T

Him immediately offering up friendship to Athena, like Odysseus once did, must hit her so hard. "You're a good kid." Yes he is - because he's more like his dad than he knows.

Love in Paradise

"Old friend..." FRRRRRIIIIEEEENNNNNDDDDD!!!!!

10 years.

The memory fragments sounding so fraught and chaotic together, hitting harder because they're hitting Athena all at once. She missed a lot.

"She's my wife." "Anyways..." Calypso, girl, please.

Love that they're singing completely different melodies through the first half of this song for two reasons: because Odysseus is revisiting previous motifs, once more trying to hold onto the man he was, and also because it shows Calypso is not willing to compromise on what she wants.

"Last I checked goddesses can't die." We'll come back to this later.

Then Odysseus realises he is truly trapped and he sings along to Calypso's melody in muted horror.

POLITIES OUT HERE STILL HAUNTING THE NARRATIVE.

Just the words "open arms" are enough to confront Odysseus (again) with all he's lost. All he hears are screams.

And the one he screams out for is Athena.

"He needs my help." NO KIDDING GO GET YOUR BOY.

God Games

"Father, God, King..." There's a lot to unpack in that fun family dynamic.

"To untie apprehensions that were placed on that Greek?" Zeus is like, nobody likes that guy, why do you care?

The gods being called out like X Factor finalists is everything.

So there's a great contrast against the previous song - unlike Calypso, Athena is matching each of her singing partners with their tone and beat as she convinces them. She isn't winning by 'imposing her will', she's meeting them where they are.

Rational arguments work until Aphrodite, where Athena says "please" for the first time. She softens to appeal to Aphrodite, which is why Ares has to step in.

The way she says his name XD

Ares' lines sound like as much of a fighting chant as 'Little Wolf' did, which makes it all the better that the mention of Telemachus is what gets her to 'fight back'.

"His son's my friend!" YES HE IS. And Athena of all people declaring "a broken heart can mend" is fascinating. Can't help but wonder if she's talking about herself coming around to forgiving Odysseus.

"Never once has he cheated on his wife." Handwaving the source material is worth it for this line ALONE.

Zeus is so pressed by everyone openly knowing he cheats on Hera. Stop doing it then my dude.

Ares sounding genuinely concerned for Athena is doing things to me. Goddesses can't die, huh?

Her time motif flitting in and out like a weak heartbeat.

The soft piano of 'Warrior of the Mind', touching on a whisper of 'Legendary', then rising to a triumphant crescendo as Athena regains herself. I will be forever haunted by visions of Odysseus and Telemachus helping her to her feet.

And then, finally, she faces her own father and begs. Because Odysseus and Telemachus deserve a chance to be father and child.

The parallel, by the way, of Athena entering this saga to help an outnumbered Telemachus, and now closing it with him/Odysseus unknowingly helping her win her own battle too. JORGE HOW DARE YOU T_T

[gale-gentlepenguin]

Epic the musical Songs (as of wisdom saga): in 10 words or less.

1. "The Horse And The Infant" 7/10 When committing war crimes suddenly gets difficult

2. "Just A Man" 9/10 A song about baby murder

3. "Full Speed Ahead" 5/10 introducing all the people who will be problems

4. "Open Arms" 6/10, Death flag but catchy

5. "Warrior Of The Mind" 8/10 Athena telling Odysseus stop being stupid

6. "Polyphemus" 5/10 Cyclops tries to protect property from Nobody

7. "Survive" 8/10 Cyclops kills Nobody’s friend.

8. "Remember Them" 9/10 When Odysseus made his only mistake.

9. "My Goodbye" 9/10, Odysseus loses another friend

10. "Storm" 5/10 When karma strikes fast

11. "Luck Runs Out" 7/10 Crew doubts captain after 1 mistake.

12. "Keep Your Friends Close" 7/10 Captain doubts crew after insubordination.

13. "Ruthlessness" 10/10 Poseidon roasts Odysseus while being a hypocrite.

14. "Puppeteer" 5/10 Local woman turns men into pigs

15. "Wouldn't You Like" 7/10 Hermes being Odysseus best friend

16. "Done For" 8/10 Odysseus uses his sword on Circe

17. "There Are Other Ways" 5/10 Odysseus doesn’t use his “Sword” on Circe.

18. "The Underworld" 8/10 Odysseus feels his sins crawling on his back

19. "No Longer You" 8/10 Spoilers the song.

20. "Monster" 10/10 Odysseus decides humanity is overrated

21. "Suffering" 6/10 Odysseus uwu’s a Siren

22. "Different Beast" 9/10 Odysseus and friends make sashimi

23. "Scylla" 8/10 Local monster meets another monster

24. "Mutiny" 8/10 Eurylochus is a hypocrite for 5 minutes

25. "Thunder Bringer" 10/10 Zeus Flexes on mortals

26. "Legendary" 7/10 Prince wishes for father to return with the milk

27. "Little Wolf" 5/10. Resident prick beats up Prince.

28. "We'll Be Fine" 5/10 Goddess realizes she’s been a jerk.

29. "Love In Paradise" 10/10 Odysseus is going through it!

30. "God Games" 7/10 Athena forgets that Zeus is a petty bitch.

[zarnzarn]

part three of the reverse odyssey au! polites' pov this time, cause I thought a constantly changing motive explanation would be fun

1/2/3/4

||

Later, they find that it is the prayer of a terrified Elepnor clinging to the mast that saved them.

He'd called out in fear in the prayer he'd heard the most, growing from a boy of ten to a youth of twenty in the Trojan War, under Odysseus and his quick, odd prayers to his patron goddess- and half-surprised, half out of reflex, Polites had thought later by the look on the goddesses' own face-

Athena had answered.

She'd guided their ship to shore through the storm, somehow, and then stood at the wheel, taller than anyone Polites had ever seen, straight-backed and proud. Staring at them all as they slowly got to their feet, bowing and muttering prayers under their breath as they prostrated, more than half of them trembling in fear.

They'd all known their captain was blessed by the Goddess of Wisdom, in a way that was more than a mere touch or grey eyes. All known the way he'd sometimes stop talking and stare into the distance, and bark out orders for a convoluted, twisted, wonderful plan after.

Polites had known it was something more the day his friend had stumbled out of the forest all those years ago, silent as an owl and grin sharper than it used to be. Eyes no longer Hermes' kaleidoscope-amber ones that hurt to look at, but a gleaming silver that struck you still where you stood to listen.

But this was still more terrifying than any battle they'd ever faced.

(He saw so much of Odysseus in her, even standing still, that it hurt.

They had been so close.)

"Owl Lady!" Telemachus cheers, and runs out from behind his mother's skirts to the Goddess of War. Penelope makes an aborted movement towards him, dredging up some mortification beyond the haunted expression on her face (if only they'd had one moment more, to grab each other's hands even a little, if she'd just grabbed at him tightly, if they hadn't forgotten to get rid of that accused windbag-) at the way Telemachus runs to Athena with even less fear than his father had, grinning wide up at her as he hugs her shins in greeting.

"Telemachus," She says, bemused and fond. Her voice is... familiar, actually. Polites can't place it for a second, until Penelope makes an odd choking sound next to him and memory assaults- of Odysseus running around shouting with joy after his son's birth, proudly showing him off to everyone around as if he looked anything more than a raisin, Penelope tiredly laughing as she lay against the pillows. Of him suddenly pausing and turning to the strange cloaked woman in the corner and dragging her out into the light to gently hand her his son.

"Odysseus," she'd hissed, sounding panicked, yet he'd just laughed and shifted her hands to support Telemachus' head. Polites and Penelope had frowned at each other, confused, but Odysseus had only teased the woman about a newborn baby being the thing to scare her and offered them no explanations, and what the fuck, that had been Athena.

Penelope's eye twitches a little bit, some of the heartbreak clearing up in her face in favour of a strong wish for strangulation. Polites empathized. What was wrong with Odysseus.

She stares at them now, expectant, and Polites realises what she's waiting for the same moment her lips curl into a sneer of rage. Shit, right, she and Odysseus had had some sort of falling out after the cyclops-

"So," She says, dangerously low. "Does the King of Ithaca think himself more powerful than the Goddess of Wisdom, that he spurns my presence in such a way? Or-"

"He's been taken by Poseidon."

Polites doesn't know the words come from him until Athena swivels her head around to face him.

Oh fuck.

He takes a shuddering breath as he pushes himself to his feet. Glances out to the side and feels his heart drop at the unfamiliar waters, so far away from-

He turns back to Athena and gathers his courage. "Poseidon appeared before us, one year ago. Demanded reparations for the hurt we dealt to the cyclops, his son."

"So then why target-" Athena cuts herself off, teeth gnashing. Her hair starts rising, even though there's no breeze, feathers appearing across her visible skin. "I had rescinded my blessings from him! For this very reason, so Poseidon wouldn't-"

She stops talking with a hiss, pinching the bridge of her nose in barely contained fury. Polites' breath catches. She'd taken her blessings back- to protect Odysseus, of course, her feud with Poseidon was well-known to everyone and anyone, so the ocean god wouldn't take it out on her favoured.

Did Odysseus know that, Polites wants to ask her, remembering the absolute mourning devastation on his friend's face for that one day before it all went to shit, but knows it won't help anyone.

He swallows and continues. This part is going to anger her beyond anything, he knows. "Poseidon cursed him into a creature of the sea," He says cautiously, watching strange colors dance across her armour in her growing anger, looking less and less like a woman as he spoke, eyes glowing fire-hot. "His legs melted and turned into the tail of a fish, and he no longer could breathe above land, so we had to put him in the sea. And-"

His throat closes up, and the sailors around wince back, gathering Telemachus and pulling each other away from the wheel, knowing what's about to come.

"And?" Athena says, deceptively calm, as she watches them stumble away from her.

Polites gulps and feels tears run down his face as he says it. "And he ripped out his tongue."

Athena screams.

||

After they've all wiped the blood from their ears and eyes and huddled down in the belly of the ship, holding onto each other until they've stopped trembling-

They're going to write songs about that scream, Polites thinks vaguely, staring up at the wood. His hands still are shaking. The rage of Athena will be recorded for the ages, in songs and poems and books.

Still, he can't bring up any secret resentment against her for nearly killing them- he felt the same, that first day, when he'd found the bloody tongue on the deck and had vomited over the side of the ship, sobbing.

Odysseus, his silver-tongued friend, wisest of the Greeks, able to talk his way out of anything, tongueless. An unimaginable cruelty, especially to the favourite of Athena.

Although, that was probably why, wasn't it.

They all stiffen as the door creaks and Athena ducks to walk inside. Someone whimpers. Polites doesn't blame him.

She looks at them with Odysseus' eyes, staring around at them once more with a blank expression.

"The continuation of this quest will ruin your kingdom," She says simply, and Polites barely holds back five different protests that will get them all killed.

Penelope stands up, walking to the front. "I will not abandon my husband." She raises her chin, meeting the Goddesses' gaze without fear. "Not ever."

Athena rolls her eyes. Eurylochus chokes, and Polites has to hold back some hysterical mix of a laugh and bursting into tears. Gods, she acts just like him.

"I did not expect you to," She says dryly. "But it will take years, and you can't expect Ithaca to finance your search for that long without a ruler."

Penelope's expression wavers, voice cracking to a whisper. "Years?"

Athena looks remorseful at least when she nods. "Years," She says kindly. Someone puts their head into their hands, but Polites can't tell who, because his vision is blurring out with tears. "He has been blown to the far eastern shores, where the sands stretch over a land a thousand times the size of Sparta. It will take a year alone for him to make it back to the ocean, and Poseidon will fight to keep him away from you all. And by then-"

She closes her eyes and purses her lips, swaying back like someone has dealt her a physical blow. "By then," she continues, steeling herself back to untouchable Goddess. "He will have been of the wild waters for so long that he will be little more than an animal. You will have to catch him, with nets and boats and ropes- and then find a way to bring him back to normal."

They are silent for a while.

"So be it," Eurylochus says, standing up and placing a hand on Penelope's shoulder. He nods to the Goddess, even though he's close enough that Polites can feel him shaking to do it. "What would you counsel us to do for Ithaca in the meantime, Goddess?"

"Ctimene has an equal claim to the throne, as does Penelope," Athena muses. Polites starts and feels the men murmur. Still, who would argue with-

"How will Ctimene rule, though?" Someone pipes up. Nevermind, then. Clearly, Odysseus took everyone's common sense with him when he was rolled off the side of the ship.

Eurylochus snorts before Athena can answer, turning around with a wry smile. "Odysseus may have won us the Trojan War," he tells the lackwitted man. "But never has he once won a single fucking fight with his sister in all the time I've known them. She is a terrifying woman."

Polites feels a laugh slip from him before he can stop it. "She's your wife."

Eurylochus nods grimly. "And I am scared."

"She is rather... shrill." Athena agrees, mouth curling in distaste. "Still, she and you can rule when Penelope is on the waters and the kingdom will not suffer for it. But you cannot both abandon Ithaca to possible invaders."

Penelope sobs and quickly tries to muffle it with a hand, screwing her eyes closed. Polites puts his hand on hers, trying to be reassuring even though his own chest aches. Years.

They will do it, he knows. But still.

"You will find food to eat on these shores," Athena says, turning around. "Ithaca is twelve days west from here."

"Where are you going?" Telemachus pipes up.

A smile props up on Athena's face, small and lacking joy. Cunning and cruel. She still feels so much like Odysseus. "I was dealt a great insult," She tells the child. "And I must return my reply to it."

When they set out the next morning, all the fish in the waters are floating at the surface, dead.

[saixria]

@angels-bullshit well you asked for it TELEMACHUS RAMBLE

I’m sure there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that Telemachus represents open arms. For one, he immediately accepts Athena as his friend with open arms and offers the goddess of wisdom some wisdom in We’ll be fine, that’s just. Peak open arms behavior.

Besides the obvious, we can look into the motif (literary, not musical) of light vs dark in the musical (which might also be obvious but anyway). Even if we ignore Polites’ whole cut song “Your Light” about being Odysseus’ “light”, the light motif is actually kept in Open Arms — “we can light up the world here’s how to start”. I think this motif symbolizes the positive impact of open arms. Much like Circe said, “maybe showing one act of kindness leads to kinder souls down the road”. If you inspire the world around you by being kind, you will in turn be treated with kindness. This is contrasted by the motifs of darkness in “I am your darkest moment” and “the world is dark” signifying ruthlessness. Instead of trying to change the ruthless world around you, you must become ruthless too to survive. There’s inherent selfishness to ruthlessness since you’re ensuring your own survival over others.

WHAT A TANGENT OK HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO TELEMACHUS? He has this line in Legendary “so I could bring the world some light” which references Polites’ whole “light up the world”. Let’s not forget “tell me Athena why you came to my aid” has the same melody as “what keeps you up so late at night my friend” from cut song Ismarus where Polites is asking Odysseus this. (HM I WONDER WHAT OTHER CHARACTER IS UNABLE TO SLEEP DUE TO GUILT)

The light thing comes back so many times in we’ll be fine. “Then his light went dark” (can be interpreted as Polites, his “light”, dying, but I prefer to interpret it as him basically getting traumatized, losing his original enthusiasm in his belief that everything would go smoothly and he’d be able to get home with all 600 men as he suffers his very first casualties) “life could be that bright” — Not only is Athena talking about Odysseus losing his light, she herself has also lost hers as she lost her one and only friend and the positive impact he had on her life, and now it feels as though her life has gone dark.

“I know it’s light you’ll find” — Telemachus is literally acting as Athena’s light here as Polites was Odysseus’ 😭😭 he encourages her to help Odysseus, to embrace the Open Arms ideology of making a positive impact on the world around you and you’ll end up positively affected as well. In bringing Odysseus light, perhaps she herself will also regain hers. From all this, Telemachus clearly represents Open Arms and is to Athena what Polites was to Odysseus.

Now how does Telemachus embody ruthlessness? This part is much shorter since we don’t have as much to analyze (perhaps we’ll get more in Ithaca saga) but Telemachus doesn’t shy away from being ruthless when the need arises either. He fights Antinuous in Little Wolf to defend his family’s honor, and in Ithaca saga he will also help kill the suitors (perhaps we will get more on his mindset here, but don’t take my word on that). He is willing to do what it takes, even if it’s cruel like hunting down all the suitors, to protect his family, and killing the suitors IS what’s necessary and an act of ruthlessness.

(Though actually this is making me realize “boy I wish I could so I could bring the world some light” was referring to… killing monsters. Maybe this shows that even in Legendary he’s wanted to make a positive impact on the world by being ruthless in a way, further showing that he’s the true balance of Ruthlessness and Open Arms)

Anyway, Telemachus was really only able to achieve this balance because of his circumstances, just as Odysseus was forced to fully embrace ruthlessness because of his. While Telemachus has faced hardships (the suitors) that requires ruthlessness to be dealt with, hes also a crowned, sheltered prince, largely unaffected by even darker aspects of the world like war and death as Odysseus has been, so Telemachus was able to retain part of his innocence and his “light” while Odysseus’ was stripped from him. Both of them were products of their environments, and it’s quite fitting how Odysseus went to war to protect his son, and his son ended up being a “better” person than Odysseus was forced to become. Telemachus means “far from battle”, and indeed Odysseus has succeeded in keeping his son far from the darkness of war and its aftermath.

[bloodyshadow1]

hello @mer-acle as luck would have it I am your secret santa too. you wanted something based on Athena so here it is. I was planning on posting this closer to christmas, but since you gifted me that goregous Athena piece I thought what the heck.

It's not your normal torturing athena story but I hope you still like

Athena’s skin burned, her veins screamed, and her bones ached.  One minute she was standing in front of her father before all of Olympus, victorious from his gauntlet, the next he was shouting and she was on the ground.   She was in pain, her shield melted onto her arm since it took the brunt of the blow.

Her father was still shouting about something, probably a warning to the rest of Olympus not to defy him.  Athena’s body begged her to stay down as her head rang from pain and the crack thunder.  Athena knew the wisest move would be to stay down, to let her father throw his tantrum and make a plan for when he cooled down.  

But she could not.  This was not fair.  She might have mocked his infidelity, but why should she suffer for his ego when she won his game?  She had earned her victory when she had made it through 5 other gods by blood, wit, and words. Why should she suffer more for mentioning his infidelity than he ever did cheating on his wife?

This was wrong and Athena would not stand for it.  Regardless of sense and what the rest of the family was yelling at her, Athena rose to her feet even if she had to lean on her spear to do so.  Still, in front of all of Olympus, she stood in defiance of their king.  

For Zeus, he looked angry, as his wrath turned to hatred.  Not even Ares had ever made their father look this angry before.  He shouted at her, from what she could make out from his lips something ‘Thunderbringer’ and ‘wringer’ but her ears were ringing too loudly for her to hear him.  In defiance of him, in his rule and his words, Athena moves forward.  

Purple in the face, Athena watches as her father gathers his storms to strike her again, but she does not stop.  He was angry, not uncommon for him, but for the first time since she was birthed from his skull, Athena fed the fires of her rage.  

Athena thought of Odysseus, her dear friend who she never got to call the word to his face.  Trapped on an island, violated by a goddess he did not love, all because of her father’s cruelty.  She thought of Telemachus and Penelope who were forced to endure his absence and the men who came to take his place all these years.  

She thought of her dearest Pallas, her first friend and the first blood she spilt.  All because Zeus’ arrogance would not let even his banished daughter lose a spare.  She thought of her mother Metis, the only source of softness Athena had as a child in the pits of her father’s guts.  She was gone now, gone forever because she could give birth to a child with her husband.  Her first, last, and only gift she was ever able to give to Athena, her armor was also smoking, perhaps unusable after today.  Were she able to allow herself the time, Athena would have cried at its loss.  

Lastly, Athena thought of a little girl, a baby.  A child born without sin, but with a prophecy hanging over her head, one that did not even apply to her, yet the King of Olympus deemed the death of his daughter a small price to pay for his safety.   

Never again, Athena had swallowed enough poison and pain in her life.  She looked at her father, her king, and advanced.  For the goddess of wisdom is going to war.     

There is no god on Olympus who could match the raw power of Zeus, not his brother, not his sisters, certainly not his daughter.  Athena knew this better than anyone.  She doubted that she would, could, win against her father. Zeus is Zeus afterall, but she will be damned if she will let him treat her like this for standing up for her friend.

Her father tossed another one of his thunderbolts at her, probably thinking he could end her little fit of rebellion then and there. This time though, Athena was expecting it and rolled to the side.  Her body screamed at her begging her to stop,  to lay down and die, but that was not Athena’s way.  Before, he caught her by surprise, in a moment of weakness, Athena did not believe that her father would truly hurt her.  That had been a mistake and the pain and scars would be the price she paid for that mistake.  

‘You can rest when you are dead and not a second before,’ was something she told her students Achilles, Diomedes, and Odysseus.  Achilles was resting, Diomedes was not, and she would be damned before she let Odysseus rest in peace trapped on Calypso’s island. She was many things, but she was not a hypocrite when it came to battle.  While she was alive she would not lay down like a beaten dog. 

She met her father’s attack with a charge, Zeus was powerful, but she knew she was as good as dead if she did not close the distance.  His thunderbolts were the most powerful weapon in all the cosmos, her shield was already gone and her Aegis around her neck was powerful, but it could only withstand so much.  She needed to end this now.  

One bolt echoed behind Athena, missing her by a hair, then another as she closed the distance.  Something came into her mind as she moved forward, how sloppy her father was.  His blows were powerful, the whole arena shook every time his bolts crashed to the earth, but as a warrior he was lacking.  It was not hard to be dangerous when you wielding the power of Olympus and the most destructive weapons the elder cyclopes ever made.  But on the battlefield, if not for his godhood, well, Athena had seen many warriors like him.  She could read him like a book.

Big and strong men who thought because they wielded a blade twice the size of the men around them that they were unstoppable.  They thought their strength was a perfect substitute for skill and would carry them on any battlefield.  At least until they came upon someone far more skilled who actually knew how to fight.

As she dodged lightning, Athena wondered when was the last time Zeus had actually fought someone instead of turning them into dust with one blast.  No one challenges the king of the gods, so perhaps his last real foe had been the Typhon?  

That sounded right, the Bane of Olympus against the king, thousands of years ago.  The great spawn of Gaia and Tartarus tore the earth apart as he made his way to Olympus.  The other gods fled save for Zeus, and if the storyteller was being honest, Athena.  Yes, Athena had been so loyal back then, she stood by her father’s side as the Typhon and the creatures he spawned.  She had seen her father fall against the giant while she fended off the nightmarish army.  It was her who distracted the Typhon while Hermes returned their father’s stolen sinews.  She had fought for days back then and despite the blood and sweat she spilled those days she had been written out of the story.  

Athena might have cared, but not enough to let it bother her, back then it only mattered that the threat was dealt with and Apollo had returned to the mountain so someone could heal her wounds.  Zeus had been sloppy and out of practice even back then, now it appears he had let himself go even worse if she could make it this close to him.  

As he went to summon his bolt again, his face growing redder with frustration every time she dodged, Athena made her move.  Before the bolt was back in his hand, her spear pierced his wrist, spraying golden ichor all over him.  He looked as shocked as he was in pain.  

Athena tried to not give him time to recover as she drew her sword from her hip and charged.  She managed two swings before he was able to recover, a deep cut on his chest from which gold spilled out, and one on his shoulder that he was able to dodge somewhat before she could dig deeper.  

Before she could go for the kill though, Zeus grabbed her sword hand with his injured hand.  He might be a shit warrior, but no one in existence could deny that he was a strong bastard.  It hurt as he squeezed down on her wrist but she did not let him have the satisfaction of seeing her in pain.  “Ungrateful bitch,” he spat at her before backhanding her with his bleeding hand.  

Athena spat out blood but did not back down even as her head rang inside her helmet.  He had one of her arms now, he was stronger than her.  In a grapple she knew despite her experience she would lose.  But while Athena was not as strong as her father, she was sneakier and willing to do whatever it took to win.  

As Zeus started to say something, Athena let out her secret weapon.  The bronze of her shield had melted from his first attack, but it had cooled since then.  It was not a pretty weapon by any means, but with how it melted into sharp, jagged, and ugly edges was enough.  Before he could say anything she slammed her deformed shield into his throat and ripped it open, gold pouring out like rain.  

Even Zeus, the King of the Gods, could shake off such a dreadful wound, Athena was counting on it.  He fell to his knees, clutching his gaping throat, it was not enough to kill him, but all creatures weakened to such a wound.  She dashed around him, unclipping her Aegis from around her throat.  

Swiftly, Athena wrapped the cloth of divine make around her father’s injured throat like a noose.  For the first time since Pallas died, Zeus wore the Aegis that was once his.  And like her half-brother killing the great Nemean Lion, Athena pulled her Aegis tight.  

Zeus did not go down without a fight, wounded as he was, he was still the king for a reason.  He thrashed against Athena with the strength only those who knew they were going to die could muster.  But while Athena was weaker than the children of Kronos, she was no dainty flower to be manhandled.  She was a war goddess and proved her mettle hanging on to the edges of her Aegis with an iron grip.  

Athena drew strength from those who lost and who she had yet to lose.  The mother that had been the only source of softness in the abyss that was her father’s guts.  Her first friend who had been taken by her hand and her father’s actions.  Odysseus who was still alive, but tormented because his crew killed a cow.  Her muscles  grew tight as she pulled harder, “you will never hurt the ones I love again,” she snarled like a beast.  

Between her strength and leverage, there was nothing that the King of the Skies could do and eventually he succumbed to the darkness.

Athena kept her grip tight on her Aegis for a few minutes after her father stopped thrashing about.  She would not lose everything she worked for to him playing possum.  Eventually though, Athena let her Aegis slacken once she was sure he would not wake in a moment.  Not even Zeus could get up after that.  With a sigh, she knew she had not a moment to lose.

Athena knelt down to the pools of golden ichor that covered the stage, a mix of both of theirs, her own wounds had not stopped just because she decided to fight her king.  With a touch the golden blood of the gods turned into golden thread.  With that thread Athena wove a golden net even stronger than the one the family used years ago to entrap him.  

Back then it took days of planning before Athena could formulate a plan to depose Zeus with the help of several other gods.  Yet here she was, able to topple her father alone.  She learned from her mistakes last time and when she strapped him in the net, she made sure there was no way out.  He would wake eventually and this time Athena did not want anyone pulling a Thetis and freeing him.  

With her father secured Athena finally looked at her surroundings.  At the monsters and gods in the stands watching them with baited breath.  Some looked afraid, some looked unsure, but there were some who looked hopeful for some reason that Athena could not quite comprehend in her state.  The family looked at her with mixed eyes as well, she would deal with that later.

“Hermes,” Athena shouted, her voice was raw but full of authority.  

Within seconds the messenger god was in front of her, “hey there sis,” he said trying to sound like he was not nervous.  “What can your favorite messenger of the gods do for you.”

“Go to Calypso’s Island,” Athena commanded, “tell Calypso to free Odysseus at once by the authority of Olympus.  Let her know that if she refuses, I will be the next visitor to her island,” she let the threat go unfinished.  Athena knew Hermes would get her point across.  

“My father’s game is over,” she shouted to the masses.  Some looked shocked, some looked frightened, but some, even those amongst the family, had a strange look of hope that she did not understand.  

It took everything she had to not sway from the pain now that adrenaline was slowly leaving her system.  But after what just happened, she could not afford to show any weakness.  Whatever comes next could wait, Odysseus needed to be free, Telemachus and Penelope needed to be safe.  Then she could rest.

[insomniaruler]

I’m thinking A G A I N

(Someone needs to put me down like a lame horse)

Once Eurylochus got to the gates of the underworld and the all consuming gnawing in the pit of his stomach had subsided he sat down on the barren rock the final 40 members of the crew wailing around him, cursing Odysseus, cursing him, cursing the god of storms himself. They had not been buried, each dying in the roaring blast of heat and pain before darkness. No passage would be granted.

But Eurylochus was silent. All he could see was Odysseus, his friend, captain and brother. All he could hear was Odysseus pleading with the gods themselves, they could not need make him choose between himself or his crew. Eurylochus cradled his trembling hands, thinking back to the last conscious moments before hunger had taken his mind and soul.

Ody was right if Eurylochus had been given the chance to see home again, to see the shores of Ithaca, to taste fresh fruit, to hold his dearest Citmene just once more. Eurylochus would have taken it, anything.

The worst part is that he knew in his heart of hearts where only The goddess of love could see he had been the one to ruin their chance of going home only a year after the war when he was enraptured by the little bag Odysseus so guarded.

It was him who lead them too disaster after disaster. What would Odysseus his own sister about Eury’s death? Would he tell her the truth or refuse to answer, maybe tell her he died like a dog? Realistically Eurylochus knew Odysseus would not lie to his sister, he couldn’t. Citmene would see through it, she too was blessed by The goddess of wisdom and a descendant of the God of Trickery. His eyes grew heavy as the ferryman approached for the souls who’d been properly buried.

Looking down he sighed, translucent. Not whole, he’d never be because he was stuck on the other side. Perhaps this would be best, Eury hoped to avoid Polities for as long as possible, the man who’d once been one of his closest friends would not forgive him any time soon. Thus he let his eyes close, maybe he’d be absorbed into his misery.

He slept for a long time tucked against a wall of the seemingly endless chamber, cradled by the cold hard stone he felt he deserved. Eurylochus woke to whispers surrounding him, “you Eurylochus of Ithaca?” “You’re holding up the boat!” “Come on get up” “who paid your fare!?”.

Blinking Eurylochus shook off the deep sleep and started in the direction the fading hands had pointed him too. There on a rickety old dock sat an even older and rickety trireme which was packed to the walls with souls, some he recognized some he had forgotten.

As soon as he stepped into the boat it set off across the acrid Styx river. Approaching a face he recognized nudged him. “Who paid for us?” Eurylochus whispered. “The Captain did. He’s going home.” Then the soul spat “Don’ matter to me, when he gets down here I’ll show him exactly what lightning does to you.” The soul spat.

Once they reached the other side Eurylochus shuffled through the wailing masses towards what he hoped was rest, he really hoped he hadn’t pissed of the sun god enough to land himself in the pits of Tartarus.

Shuffling through lines of souls Eurylochus muttered a whispered prayer. It was all a blur but somehow Eurylochus avoided the pits and now he was walking through a marble, gold and gemstone lined cavern. Was this..? Elysisum? Someone was going to come to him and banish him to the nothingness.

As he walked he his mind flickered with images of the living world. Carefully he wandered, feeling out of place in this hall of heroes. suddenly the world flipped around and standing above him was a furious Polities, somehow he’d ended up on the floor staring up at the glimmering ceiling.

Then Eurylochus was pinned, a firm fist planted right into his eye. “How DARE you! How dare you.” Polities shouted yanking Eurylochus up by his shirt front. “Polities I-“ Eurylochus whispered as he was getting dragged to a small brazier holding a small fire. For a second he was worried Polities was about to throw him in it. But then he was in a heap on the ground in front of the flame.

In it he saw Odysseus, handing two large bags of coins to a ghostly figure. “He’s paying your passage, to Hermes. All of you. You- you traitors.” Polities whispered, fuming. “I’m sorry-“ Eury whispered. “I don’t need apologies, I knew you as a brother in arms, I’ve fought with you since childhood. Just like Odysseus. You’re a traitor to our oath.” Polities said, his glasses were whole again, Eurylochus had stowed Polities’ shattered wire frames in his breast sachet.

“Is- is Citmene okay?” This had been the one thought plaguing him since he crossed the Styx. “She’s fine, she won’t be when she finds out her husband was killed by The king of the gods himself.” Polities spat, he let Eurylochus up and eventually they found themselves watching as Odysseus smiled for the first time in years as he saw his home on the horizon.

“He’s doing it. He’s made it home.” Polities whispered in awe. “But what of the palace something is wrong.” Eurylochus muttered slipping into his old roll with ease. “Shh Let me bask for a little bit Eury.” Polities shushed him.

Thus they watched their Brother go home. Too where they could never return. Eurylochus saw Citmene sitting near a pillar looking out at the sea, she kissed her ring. Polities had to stop him from leaning so far he’d fall into the fire. “Oh Argos.” Polities muttered as the faithful companion went still. Eurylochus cried when Citimene sobbed openly over his armour, saved from wreckage after wreckage by Odysseus.

[apollosgiftofprophecy]

The Wisdom Saga: My Thoughts

Hey all!!!! Here are my thoughts on the Wisdom Saga from EPIC: The Musical!

Overall it isn’t my favorite (Circe/Thunder my beloveds), but it’s still pretty good imho!

Legendary

Love how upbeat this one is. MICO as Telemachus is VERY good, and I especially liked the little trembles/voice cracks (?) as he sang! Gave Tem a “young” vibe.

also loved that “L-L-L-L-Legendary” lol

ITS THE ANIMATIC FROM THE REFERENCE VIDEO :D

The Suitors’ voices 👌 also ANTINUOUS JUMPSCARE. HOW DARE YOU CALL PENELOPE A TRAMP WHEN YOU’RE THE ONE TRYING TO GET INTO HER BED.

Antinuous’s lines are the perfect ick. The ToA Discord and I were all typing out various amounts of EW, ICKY, GET OUT at his parts.

Fight Little Wolf

This is possibly my favorite from this saga! I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while, and I was really excited for it! Athena coming in was brilliant and I love it :3

We’ll Be Fine

ATHENA CALLED ODYSSEUS FRIEND. OWIE.

Anybody else pick up on a similar melody to Open Arms? Because ow.

Love In Paradise

LOVED the flashbacks at the beginning!

The unhingedness Gigi gave Calypso LMAO Zero social interaction does that to you lol

“Last I checked goddesses can’t die!” Stream gets censored

I PANICKED AT THAT LMAO

all I hear are screams…the ptsd is real

“Stay in my open arms” and then IMMEDIATELY triggering an Open Arms reprise. HOW DARE YOU JAY.

NOT ONLY THAT. BUT ALSO EURYLOCUS REPRISING LUCK RUNS OUT AND ANTICLEA’S WAITING. OUCH.

God Games

This is in battle with Little Wolf for favorite Wisdom Saga song lol

THE INTRODUCTION TO THE GODS SLAPPED. WOLFY YOU WONDERFUL WOLF THAT WAS AWESOME.

APOLLO GIVING A LIL BOW AND CASUALLY WAVING TO (us) HIS ADORING FANS (also us)

don’t mind me fangirling he’s my favorite and he was GORGEOUS

Hephaestus being voiced by Jorge’s dad!!!!

I really liked how Luke Holt delivered Ares’s name. Very gritty and perfect I love <3

APOLLO’S LITTLE SMIRK WHEN HE SAYS “GREAT.” I’M DEAD I’VE DIED RIP ALDER

APOLLOOOOOOOOO

his part was sadly short, but honestly? It makes sense why it would be! Apollo really has no beef with Odysseus, and the Sirens are a little out of pocket, like he was assigned to play the game but is throwing Athena an easy thing to counter so he can get back to Orestes and also Athena owes him a solid so EPIC’s explanation for Athena helping Apollo in the Oresteia? 👀 I’m a nerd connecting the dots leave me be

“If that’s true then release him 🙄💅” Apollo has no time for this bullshit he’s like “come on dad why did you pull ME into this?” Lmaoooo

Hephaestus’s part about trust!! I love. Also the lyricism here and in Apollo’s is very very good <3

APHRODITE. Unlike Apollo and Hephaestus, who were rather quick to support Athena, she’s moments away from going “no ♥️💋”

ARES’S ENTRANCE WAS SPETACULAR NO NOTES I LOVE

DISCO HERA!! ANNIFLAMMA THAT WAS SO GOOD AHHHHHHH THE STYLE THE SWAG THE SASS 100/10

THUNDER BRINGER REPRISE AHHHHHH WITH BEAST MODE ZEUS

Also Athena ain’t dead lol she comes back in King isn’t it? Also she’s a GOD. Who CAN’T DIE.

I’ve seen criticism about Zeus attacking Athena, and about how he wouldn’t do that because she’s a favorite…but the thing is, in The Iliad, he does threaten to blast her and Hera off their chariots at one point…plus Apollo’s a favorite too, and he was nearly thrown into Tartarus by Zeus! Being the favorite doesn’t automatically mean you can get away with anything and everything, so I headcanon that Zeus got a bit more peeved than usual because of just how quickly Athena swayed the others (this can connect to the Odyssey then too, because the majority of the gods already agreed that Odysseus had suffered enough and were quite willing to let him go).

I have additional thoughts on God Games, but that’s for another post since it detracts from the actual livestream, but overall I really enjoyed this one! It’s the first livestream I’ve seen in full, though I do think Thunder Saga was more impactful to watch (I watched that livestream too, but came in at the end of No Longer You).

Two sagas to go!! I’ll be updating my tier list sometime soon as well, so stay tuned for that!!

[spineless-lobster]

Fuck me okay it’s 12:50 and I have to wake up early for work tomorrow but I don’t give a shit HERE ARE MY INCOHERENT THOUGHTS ABOUT THE WISDOM SAGA

Legendary:

- TELEMACHUS IS SO ADORABLE OH MY GOD I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!!!

- FULL SPEED AHEAD!!!!

- ARGOS!!!! ARGOS MY BELOVED!!!!!

- bro just wants to see his dad is that so bad?

- WATCHU GONNA DO ABOUT IT CHAMP?????

Little wolf:

- AS MUCH AS A BANGER AS I THOUGHT IT WAS!!!!

- Antinous is such an asshole I love him “your mom’s a slut your dad left you and I’m gonna beat the shit out of you now”

- TELEMACHUS IS SO CUTE!!! Athena does quick thought and he’s like “WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING????” and when athena explains it all he’s oh “wait this is sick as hell!!!!” I love him your honour

- Rip telemachus still got your ass beat womp womp

We’ll be fine:

- THEY’RE BESTIES!!!!!! ATHENA AND TELEMACHUS ARE BESTIES WOOOOOO!!!!!!

- “I had a friend like you once” that reminds of how in the odyssey EVERYONE is like “wow telemachus you look just like your dad lol”

- they’re such cute besties I sure hope nothing bad happens to either of them! 😁

Love in paradise: (what the fuck)

- NAW WHEN ATHENA DID TIME DIVE AND ALL THE MUSIC PLAYED SUPER FAST ARE YOU BEING FOR REAL RIGHT NOW?????

- “Who’s penelope? 🥰” “my wife 😔” “😐”

- You can’t kill a goddess! *stream fucking dies*

- “I’m not your man” as “I’m just a man” what if I threw up

- y’know if calypso didn’t imprison odysseus on his island and harass him all the time I think I would like her

- also her voice is beautiful!

- NOT HER CALLING HIM ODY YOU CANT CALL HIM THAT!!!!!

- ody at the edge of the cliff… this part fucked me up

- SHE SAYS OPEN ARMS!!!! YOU CANT SAY THAT!!!

- POLITES!!!!!! 😭😭😭

- ALSJGLJSKFLFNGLSJFLSHDKSHDLSHDLAHDLSHDLSJGLSHDLSHDLSJFLSKDKDK ALL OF THE MOTIFS ALL AT ONCE WHAT THE FUCK NO NO YOU CANT DO THAT YOU CANT FUCKING DO THAT!!!!! STOP FUCKING STOP RIGHT NOW

- what if I killed myself then what

- jay when I find you it’s on sight

- straight up if I imagine ody’s pain for too long I get so incredibly sad it’s not even funny

- FREE MY MAN ODYSSEUS HE DID ALL THAT BAD SHIT BUT I DON’T CARE!!!!!

God games:

- LETS GOOOOO ANOTHER FUCKING BOOPPPP!!!!!!!

- APOLLO!!!!! <333

- I love songs with clanky bits like heph’s part it makes me :DDD

- Aphrodite’s voice is >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

- Ares’ flow is so insane I have it stuck in my head I love it

- beat the shit out of your brother athena lets goooo!!!!!

- HERA!!!!!! 🪩🕺🪩🕺🪩🕺🪩🕺

- GROOVY!!!!!!!

- “He never once cheated on his wife!” “…release him.”

- BEAST MODE ZEUS HOLY SHIT BEAST MODE ZEUS!!!!!!!

- SERIOUSLY THATS THE SICKEST THING EVER LUKE HOLT’S VOICE IS KN ANOTHER FUCKING LEVEL!!!!!!!

- TEAGAN’S VOICE TOO HOLY SHIT THIS SONG DEFINITELY HAS THE BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCES!!!!!!

- SHE CAN’T BE DEAD YOU CAN’T KILL A GODDESS SHE’S JUST TIRED SHE’S JUST SLEEPING!!!! EVERYTHING IS FINE!!!!!

…anyways so if you guys don’t hear from me it’s because I’ve run away to an isolated convent and have dedicated my life to god

Fuck what a good saga this was

[mythica0]

Epic fic tk idea,

Durning warriors of the mind, when I think odysseus (I'm still new to the musical so i think it was him) teases athena bc he tricked her, she decides to give a little wrecking

Ticklish warrior

🎂: Epic: the musical

🧁: Young Odysseus

🍫: Athena

Summary: Odysseus successfully tricked the god of wisdom. She does not take this well.

A/N: thank you for this request! It’s super short and I’m not super proud of how sudden the ending is, but The idea was so cute I had to at least try haha. Enjoooyyyyy! :3

Ticklish warrior

Athena and Odysseus had just met.

Athena was… intrigued.. by the mortal, to say the least. And they were talking casually.

But, as they talked, Athena couldn’t help but linger on their meeting to begin with.

This young mortal had tricked her. The goddess of wisdom. And.. she must say she was impressed.

But also, kind of grumpy.

“What’s wrong, Athena? You’re kinda.. staring off into space there.”

“Hmm? Oh, my apologies, Odysseus. I was just.. thinking. On our meeting. I’m impressed, truly.”

“Aww, why thank you! I do think I’m a pretty impressive guy if I do say so myself.”

Ugh, he was so smug. So confident. He needed to be taken down a peg. Learn his own weaknesses. It definitely had nothing to do with her being upset that she got outplayed by a mortal. Not at all.

“You’re awfully confident. Smug too, with the way you acted after.. tricking me.” The word was bitter on her tongue.

“So what?”

Athena rolled her eyes. It was time to teach this young mortal a lesson.

“I think it’s time to show you that you have much to learn and do, and a far way to go. You should not be as arrogant as you are.”

Without giving Odysseus time to react, Athena tugged him close to her in a trap and then started to tickle his ribs.

What? She wasn’t going to hurt him for no reason. This was the next best thing.

“Wha-ahahahaha! Hehehey- stohohop thahat, ihim tihihicklish!” The young prince protested, squirming in place and fruitlessly batting at her hands.

Athena huffed, slightly amused. “Good. Consider this your first training exercise.”

“Whahahat-? Eheheheheaha!” His laughter upped in pitch when she started to scratch between each bone, sending zaps of ticklishness through him.

“Try to escape. Try to fight back. All while having your strength sapped by ticklish torture. In addition- it serves as endurance training. And lastly, a bit of a punishment. For your smug attitude and for tricking me.”

It was definitely just that. Training and a bit of retribution. It definitely had nothing to do with the fact that his smile and laugh was adorable. The way he squirmed and protested as her new friend student. Not at all.

“Ehehe ihihim sohohorry! cuhuhut ihit ohohout!”

“Oh you will be sorry. But come on, at least try to fight back” The goddess smirked, a smug tone evident and thick in her voice.

So he does, trying to push her off of him, only to have his arms snap down to his sides when she moves up to dig at his underarms.

“Hehehehey! Yohou ahasked mehe Toho fihight bahahack!”

“What? I didn’t say I’d make it easy.” Athena smirked. This was quite the entertaining turn that this interaction could have taken. Definitely not what Athena was expecting but- you know what, who cares.

Odysseus continued to squirm and laugh in her grip, trying and failing to remove his arms from his sides so he could fight back.

“Haha, you really are quite weak to this, aren’t you?”

“Shuhuhut ihit!”

“I don’t think so. This should put you in your place, little mortal.” She started to increase the intensity, digging and kneading deep into his underarms.

No matter how much he squirmed and struggled to lift his arms and fight, his instincts wouldn’t allow it, his reflexes forcing his arms to his sides even though it did nothing to stop the relentless tickling fingers.

“Gyahahahahaha Stohohohop ihihit! Ehehahahaha!” His laughter was loud and boisterous, filling the room with the joyful sound as it echoed along the marble walls.

Odysseus was in ticklish agony! It tickled so much and he couldn’t do anything about it, no matter how hard he tried! His nerves were firing rapidly at the touch, forcing his arms down as every nerve in his body screamed at him to make it stop, to laugh and to squirm and to get away. But at the same time… perhaps.. it was maybe.. a bit of fun. But he wasn’t gonna say that out loud.

Athena, unperturbed by his protests, just continued to scratch and dig underneath his arms, forcing loud, happy laughter from his chest. His ego was stopping him from begging, but man he was getting close.

And then Athena used one hand to put his arms above his head, and then used her other hand to start scratching and kneading at his tummy and sides.

Odysseus cackled, his laughter filling the room of the palace.

“AHAhahahahaha! Nohohoho! AhathehenAHA!”

“What’s wrong? I thought you were soooo tough.”

“Ehehehe ihihi gehehet ihit, ihihi gehehet ihit! Stahahahap!”

“Give me one good reason why I should.”

“Behehecahahause ihi cahant thahaHaKE ihit! PleheHEHEase!” His laughter was loud and irregular as he squirmed and tried uselessly to get away.

Athena just shrugged, her expression dead, although her eyes gave away the smugness she was feeling, enjoying watching her new mentee reduced to helpless laughter. “As I said, endurance training.”

“Ahahathena, plehehease! Ihihit tihihickles sohoho muhuch ihi cahahant!” The young prince continued to laugh, loud and joyful. It tickled so much, and he couldn’t stop laughing. Rushes of happy laughter flooded his systems, overwhelming but also kinda fun- not that he would admit that.

“Well, too bad.” Athena couldn’t suppress the little amused smirk as she taunted him in reply.

The goddess then started to squeeze his thighs, and he let out a loud squeal, his laughter growing hysterical and frantic. “NOHOHO! NohOT THEHEHEHERE, PLEHEHEASE!”

“Oh? This a bad spot?” She taunted, feeling uncharacteristically playful as she scratched and squeezed at his thighs.

“YEHEHES, OHOHO MYHY GOHODS, STAHAHAP!”

“You learn your lesson? You gonna stop being so cocky and arrogant?”

“AHAHA- YEHEHEHES! JUHUST STAHAHAP, PLEHEHEASE!” He continued to beg for mercy and squirm in her hold, desperately trying to escape the tortuous, oh so ticklish touch.

Athena laughed a bit, amused, and finally relented, letting him go and leaving him with the giddy, breathless leftover giggles.

“Ohohoh my gohods… thahat was aha lot..” He giggled out, wiping the small tears that had started to form in his eyes away. He couldn’t get rid of the massive smile plastered on his face.

“Take that as a warning, little warrior. Next time you’re smug and arrogant around me, I’ll tickle you senseless again to put you in your place.”

“Waharning received!” He giggled again, amused.

Then they continued to talk, enjoying the atmosphere as new mentor and mentee. As new friends.

———THE END———————————————————

[mx-nii]

Okay so I still can't collect my thoughts coherently enough to make a giant post about The Wisdom Saga but I did notice something I want to talk about as I was rewatching the animatics

Throughout the animatics, when Athena is using her strength/power, she glows. (And this happens to other people in EPIC with abilities too [Tirseas glows, Zeus glows, Poseidon glows, etc] but we're gonna focus on Athena specifically rn)

Examples:

WARRIOR OF THE MIND (no glow [top] vs with glow [bottom])

LITTLE WOLF (glow examples)

WE'LL BE FINE (no glow examples)

LOVE IN PARADISE - HOURGLASS (no glow [LEFT] vs with glow [RIGHT])

LOVE IN PARADISE - TIME FUCKERY (no glow [BOTTOM] vs with glow [TOP])

Essentially what I noticed is when she's using her godly powers, she glows. When she's just chilling/not using her powers, she doesn't glow.

In Warrior of The Mind, when she's first being introduced, she doesn't glow. When she starts demonstrating her power, she glows

In Little Wolf, when she's using her power to help Telemachus, she glows.

In We'll Be fine, when the fight is over and she's just talking to Telemachus, she doesn't glow

In Love In Paradise, when she's thinking back to Odysseus and is ABOUT to make the time jump, she doesn't glow. When she BEGINS to make the time jump and throughout it, she glows. At the end of the time jump, when she's gone as far as Odysseus's memories before his capture (aka out of Athena's reach), she stops glowing because she's not time jumping anymore.

The reason this all stood out to me is because of one fateful moment in God Games:

Athena was glowing while she was fighting Zeus because she was (obviously) using her power. When Athena is "killed", she stops glowing. One could even say, her light went out.

POP QUIZ, WINIONS: where have we heard the phrase "[his] light went out" before? If you answered "it was when Athena was telling Telemachus about how she had helped her dear friend (Odysseus) but eventually, his demons got the best of him and he lost his spark", you'd be correct!

Odysseus never died (and I don't think Athena died either) but something in him died along the way back to Ithica. He was a changed person, and he no longer had that same joy and light he left Ithica with. Similarly, Athena goes from an (overly) proud and confident goddess to begging for her friend's freedom and fighting for his life with hers.

I don't think Athena died at the end of God Games but I do think 1) she was obviously temporarily incapacitated [thus causing the literal light to go out] 2) having to fight so hard for Odysseus's life and realizing she was wrong about so many things broke something inside her, which caused her metaphorical light to go out.

I think this light analogy works for two things: actual divine power being showcased through fucking GLOWING (when a god is idle, no glow glow. when a god turns on the switch, much glow glow) and metaphorical light inside someone, sorta like their soul.

I think Odysseus's light slowly started to dim along his journey to the point where it almost goes completely out at the end of Love In Paradise because he's fucking had it and I think Athena's light almost goes out when her literal light goes out at the end of God Games because not only does she almost die but she realizes not only how wrong her thinking about Odysseus was, but also how FUCKED her family is.

I could be completely off base here but I noticed it and wanted to ramble about it because the inside of my brain is chaos and tumblr is the drain.

[nice1cream]

My headcanon for possible hypothetical stage production of Epic is that whoever plays Telemachus also plays young Odysseus in WOTM while old Odysseus looks at the scene from the side. Hear me out.

Open arms ends with tired Odysseus sitting on a log and Polites joining him for the final, soft "greet the world with open arms, greet the world with open arms". After Polites ends the song, everything freezes and the light changes. Odysseus gets pulled into quickthought by Athena.

He stands up and the log with Polites goes offstage (prolly a turnrable or smth). At this point Athena is only a voice. She enters the stage after "Let me remind you" and right before "goddess of wisdom, master of war" *cue applause*. Odysseus moves away to the side of the stage and watches.

As Athena sings her verse, young Odysseus (a.k.a. the actor for Telemachus) play-fights with his friends in the back of the stage. When Athena sings about the boar, they immitate young Ody defeating the boar (prolly one actor holding a big prop of a boar head).

Then young Ody runs to the center of the stage for the "Show yourself" part, then him and Athena have this whole duet.

Now present Odysseus takes a few steps towards the center, where young Ody and Athena have their little training choreography.

The song ends with Ody winning against Athena in practice and Athena singing "I still intend to make sure you don't fall behind" while young Ody listens to her carefully. When she sings "You are a warrior of the mind", young Ody runs offstage, right past the present Odysseus and Athena sings "Don't disappoint me" to the present Odysseus!

Athena disappears, Polites approaches Odysseus and they return to the ship.

Thank you *drops mic*

[progamer27]

EPIC: The Musical - Character Growth

I like it when characters aren't one-dimensional, especially main characters.

Sure, it's fine and fun to have characters who are solely evil or solely good from time to time.

But I vastly prefer characters that go thru some sort of development - that takes its time -, and then come out changed by the experience.

Enter: Odysseus and Athena (and also Eurylychous)

I think it's pretty safe to say that, at least at the start of the musical, a lot of people didn't like Athena and Eurylychous too much - and were quick to label them as, at the very least, "villain-adjecent".

But now that we have had 6 out of 8 Sagas released, we can understand them better. And same for Odysseus.

Eurylychous: In the Odyssey, he is a minor character whose only role is to be a plot device (killing and eating Helios's cattle). In EPIC, Eurylychous is shown as someone more focused on the crew than anything else. Brash and Hot-headed, he is the opposite of Odysseus.

So, why is he interesting? Because we SEE (or HEAR) how he grows from just; a soldier whose first instinct is to murder (Lotus Eaters) or flee (After blinding Polypheamus), to a desperate man who wants to get back home as fast as possible - even if it means leaving his comrades behind (Circe), to a man who needs to confess his guilt (Scylla, as a follow up to Keep Your Friends Close and Puppeteer), to someone who's desperate and has given up entirely (Mutiny and Thunder Bringer).

In conclusion: Eury isn't a villain, but Just a Man. He made mistakes and was abrasive, but so would many people in his place.

ATHENA: In Greek Mythology, Athena is one of the most Hubris-Filled (Prideful) Goddesses out there. In EPIC, she is much of the same... at the Start.

Because Remember, prior to the Wisdom Saga, we only really saw/heard Athena 3 times. And in those 3 times, we get presented with who she is at the moment; A Goddess who views Odysseus as a "project/creation" (Warrior of the Mind and Remember Them), and as the less rose-tinted Goddess who lost her friend because of the circumstances (My Goodbye).

Now, at this point in time, most people would simply label Athena as a "typical greek goddess" - that is to say, a deity who doesn't really view humans as equal to her, and who lacks Humanity.

....until she meets Telemachus.

Then, the characterization... matures; she becomes less closed-off (We'll Be Fine), admits that she was pushing too hard (Little Wolf), realizes that what she did to Ody was HORRIBLE - and, if I may interject, she will probably be a bit shocked/traumatized at seeing Ody trying to kill himself (Love in Paradise), and finally as someone who realized they STILL CARE for their friend, and that tried to do everything to save them (God Games)

In Short: Athena went from being an unlikable cold goddess - one who refused to comprehend human emotions -, to being much more "human".

(And please, if you are a fanfic writer, try to write a story where Athena just... realizes how shitty her life was, and how badly she treated others, and let her have an home with the Itachan Family. She needs her friends, and she probably needs to express her emotions in an healtier way)

ODYSSEUS:....

....

....

What is there to say? The musical is ABOUT HIM, and about how the line between man and monster (good and evil) is incredibly thin... but also about how you CAN come back from the brink, how you can "Become Yourself" again.

In the Odyssey - even if the story is a banger -, I didn't get the impression that Odysseus changed too much. Sure, he may have some trauma and suicidial thoughts, but he didn't do a 180°, then another one, and finally got a better understanding of life. He was still just... Odysseus, the King of Itacha and Father of Telemachus. Odysseus, the Silver-Tounged Liar. Odysseus the sacker of cities.

In Epic....

...Well, I think you know where I'm going with this..

In Conclusion: The EPIC versions of the characters feel like Actual Characters - almost actual humans - who make mistakes and aren't wholly "pure villainy" or "goodie two-shoes".

Sure, we have example of both of these things (Goodie = Polites, Penelope, Astynax; Villains = Poseidon, Polyphemus, Scylla, Zeus, The Suitors), as well as some morally-grey ones (Dark Grey/Leaning toward Evil = Calypso; Light Gray/Leaning towards Good= Circee, Aeolus, Tiresias)

But i think that I've said enough.

[cozywriter]

🥮 ~ Thoughts on Moussaka ~ 🥮

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In the song “God Games” in the Wisdom Saga, Athena tells Ares:

“Hold your tongue now, his son’s my friend!”

Meanwhile, in the song “My Goodbye” in the Cyclops Saga, Athena tells Odysseus:

“You’re not looking for a mentor, I’m not looking for a friend. I mistook you for a general! What a waste of effort spent.”

And finally, in the song “Legendary” in the Wisdom Saga, Telemachus says:

“Somebody tell me… Come and give me a sign… If I fight this monster, is it you I’ll find…?”

What does this all mean? Well, in the last song above, Telemachus was essentially talking to himself, or pretty much just speaking as if Odysseus was there. However, during “Little Wolf”, Athena just poofs into the material plane during Telemachus’ fight with Antinous. Considering that most gods don’t give a damn about mortals unless it’s to make a baby, to fuck with them for entertainment, or because they favor them, Athena had no business being in the palace. That is if she truly was fed up with Odysseus. The only explanation that I can think of as to why she was there, would be because she felt that without her guidance, Odysseus didn’t make it home. She was guilty. So much so to the point that she’d periodically check up on his family from time to time.

Cut to the events in the song “We’ll Be Fine”, Athena explains why she was helping him, to which Telemachus responds:

“I’ve never felt strong before! You’re my friend, I couldn’t ask for more…!”

To this, all Athena had to say was that Telemachus was “a good kid”, a stark contrast to how she responded to Odysseus during the song “Warrior of the Mind” in the Troy Saga:

O: “Goddess and Man, bestest of friends—!”

A: “We’ll see where it ends”

If we take every event from the point that the two — Athena and Odysseus — separated, Athena must’ve felt that if she didn’t abandon him over their mentorship/friendship and how they did things, then maybe Odysseus would have seen his son grow up. Which is why she so readily and verbally calls Telemachus her friend. She thinks that in doing so, she might prevent a rift in their bond down the line. Which makes sense, considering the whole reason why Odysseus and Athena went their separate ways in the first place was because she hesitated to admit that their bond had transcended that of a teacher and student.

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Back to Grand Menu

[inspirationalucky]

EPIC: THE WISDOM SAGA PROMPTS & STARTERS.

of course, go ahead and change names/pronouns/etc as necessary to fit your muse or the situation! please do not add more lines/prompts to this post!

Legendary

"It's just me, myself, and I."

"I'm dreaming of all these monsters that I'll never get to fight!"

"I wish I could, so I could bring the world some light!"

"I'm stuck with your stories, but no clue who you are"

"If I fight those monsters, is it you I'll find?"

"I know life and fate are scary, but I wanna be legendary"

"They keep taking space, and there's not much longer we can stall."

"They're getting impatient. Dangerous, too."

"I would fight them if I was half as strong as you."

"Can I do whatever it takes to keep my mom safe?"

"It's been twenty years, and we still have no king."

"Give me a chance, a single opportunity, and I'll overcome these obstacles and scrutiny"

"Don't you dare call my mother a tramp!"

"I just did. Whatchu gonna do about it, champ?"

"If I fight this monster, is it you I'll find?"

Little Wolf

"Wanna entertain me?"

"Let's see how you take this."

"Wanna be a man? Then fight."

"You've made your worst mistake here. Might be your last one, too"

"You'll have run out of bones to break when you and I are through"

"I'll teach you all the lessons your daddy never could"

"This cruel world doesn't give out presents just for being good"

"Run away before you die"

"Is your plan to stand around? ‘Cause I suggest you fight back"

"Uppercut him. Now."

"Woah. How did I do that?”

"Is time now moving slow?"

"Woah, this is so sick!"

"Alright, now. Let’s try this again"

"I've no respect for bullies, those who impose their will"

"I've seen plenty enough to truly understand this kind of filth"

"Let's teach this dog a lesson in front of all his kind"

"One young wolf has a larger heart than all these men combined"

"Show them that you've got some bite"

"Take advantage now and strike."

"Don't go down without a fight!"

"Ooooh, maybe I pushed a bit too hard..."

"Go back and cry in your corner. Make sure your mother hears."

"Tell me, [ Athena ], why you came to my aid?"

We'll Be Fine

"I had a friend before and he was a lot like you"

"I helped him fight through war"

"He had his demons too"

"Then we grew apart, then his light went dark"

"Maybe if I'd made a different call, maybe he'd be fine"

"Maybe if I hadn't missed it all, maybe he'd be fine"

"Maybe if I helped another soul, I could sleep at night"

"I don't know who your friend is. I don't know what he's like."

"My time with you has been splendid. The best day of my life!"

"I got in a fight and I didn't die! I've never felt strong before!"

"You're my friend, I couldn't ask for more"

"Maybe it's time that you lend a hand. I don't think he'll mind"

"Maybe to fall is to learn one way"

"Maybe it's all gonna turn out great"

"I know we'll be fine"

"I know it's light you'll find."

"You're a good kid"

Love in Paradise

"Old friend, it's been ten years since I last saw you."

"Let's see where you've been."

"[ Odysseus ], where did you go?"

"Morning sleepyhead, you've been resting for a while"

"I swore that you were dead when you washed up on my isle"

"Did you know you talk in your sleep?"

"Anyways, I've got all you could want here & all you could need here."

"Hello no, I could kill you where you stand!"

"I'm no pet! I'm a married man!"

"You may try, but last I checked, goddesses can't die"

"You're adorable! Bow down, now, to the immortal [ Calypso ]"

"But fear not, I bring no pain"

"We've got all we could want here"

"Under my spell, we're stuck in paradise"

"No one can come or go, my island stays unknown"

"No, no! I don't belong here, there's something wrong here!"

"I won't be drawn to love in paradise!"

"Seven years she's kept you trapped out of your control... time can take a heavy toll."

"You don't know what I've gone through! You don't know what I've sacrificed"

"Every comrade I long knew, every friend... I saw them die, and all I hear are screams"

"It will be fine, dear. Come back inside"

"I know your life's been hard, I'll stay inside your heart"

"Life would be so much worse if you had died"

"Please, stay away from harm. Stay in my open arms"

"He needs my help."

God Games

"Father, rarely do I ask for favors..."

"Divine intervention? Is that what you seek?"

"You are playing with thunder for a man full of shame"

"But if he's worth the risk of going under, why not make it a game?"

"Convince each of them that he ought to be released, and I'll release him"

"You all know I'm a fan of catchy songs!"

“I think [ Ody’s ] in the wrong!”

"They were trying to do him worse, all he did was reimburse them!"

"Now they'll treat with caution first, to live another day and sing another verse"

"Trust is not given, it's forged."

"Why should I give him my support?"

"He sacrificed his own cohort"

"Did you forget they failed to listen?"

"He was betrayed and then imprisoned."

"If you make the right decision he can still build a future with those who miss him"

"Your little high and mighty [ Odysseus ] claims to love his mother, but let her die of a broken heart"

"Let him feel the pain that his mother felt and rot"

"Wait! Please, reconsider this"

"Really, [ Athena ]? These old tricks?"

"What kind of sick coward holds back his power while his friends get devoured?"

“He didn’t even try to kill her!”

"Hold your tongue now, his son's my friend!"

"Tell your lover that a broken heart can mend"

"You want more bloodshed? Then set him free"

"To get back to his homestead he'll make everybody bleed"

"So many heroes, so many tales! Give me one good reason why yours should prevail."

"He's got the mind of a genius"

“He’s pretty skilled with words”

“You can do better than that!”

"He's kinda funny!"

"Never once has he cheated on his wife"

"I've played your game and won. Release him."

"You dare to defy me? To make me feel shame?"

"No one beats me. No one wins my game!"

[sombrathedragon]

HI HI hyperfixation question time!!

I’ve never listened to EPIC, tell me a few reasons you love it (bc I wanna know if I should listen to it) and tell me your favorite song so I can go listen to it immediately :D

Ooo okay !! :D

let me give a summary first: EPIC is a musical adaptation about Homers Odyssey. It’s broken up into 9 sagas, with each saga being about 4-5 songs long. The sagas basically break up Odysseus’s journey into different parts: The Troy saga (Odysseus and his men winning the Trojan war and beginning to sail back home, we also get a introduction to Odysseus’s mentor, Athena here !!) The Cyclops saga (Ody and his men having some trouble in the Cyclopes cave) The Ocean saga (Ody and his men trying to sail back home to Ithaca through storms and troubles (spoiler alert they don’t make it)) The Circe Saga (Ody and his men landing on Circe’s island instead, with Ody having to convince Circe to give his men back. (Fun fact in the actual Odyssey Ody stays here for a year! I don’t think they do that in EPIC though!)) The Underworld saga (Ody and his men travel to the underworld and get a prophecy on what the rest of the journey is going to be like (‘nother spoiler Ody doesn’t like it, also this is the end of Act 1!!) the Thunder Saga (Ody and his men going through tricks, betrayal, and Zeus himself) the Wisdom saga (Perspective change we’re now back in Ithaca in the POV of Telemachus, Odys son!! Telemachus now being under the guidance of Athena, gets help from her to fight the suitors and convinces her to go help her old friend (cough cough HIS FATHER) who may or may not be stuck on a certain goddess island for 7 years (cough cough CALYPSOS ISLAND) another fun fact this is actually all the sagas released currently! There’s still 2 more in the works which are the Vengeance saga (Ody gets off of Calypsos island and actually sails home, but of course he encounters another monster and another god, that man can’t get a break!) and the Ithaca saga (We go back to Ithaca to see Penelope, his wife and the 108 suitors there, who don’t exactly treat Penelope and Telemachus the nicest.. but Odysseus is finally home and I won’t spoil much more but he does kill the suitors :] yayyy happy ending !!)

Anyways, actually answering your questions now !! Some of the reasons I love it are that the music is absolutely amazing, the callbacks with the instruments combined with the vocals are enough to make me bawl my eyes out sometimes :’) Same with the talented animators and artists in the fandom, who just make my jaw drop when I see their masterpieces. Also the community is just lovely, it sometimes gets toxic but overall it’s a relatively chill and peaceful fandom! but urghhh my favorite song? Ahhh they’re all so good !! I would have to say Little Wolf from the Wisdom Saga, it’s very catchy and very groovy, but I do also love The Challenge from the Ithaca saga as I love my girl Penelope !! (sadly it’s not released yet, how I listen to it is Jorge (creator of musical) sometimes puts out snippets of the songs, and wonderful fans combine them together so yeah :])

Anyways I DEFINITELY recommend it if you need a new musical to hear, it’s just perfect <3