Both Eurylocus and Odyseus smile sadly at the two, “Polites would be glad they’re like this..instead of focusing on..”

  “I know… look after everyone while I head up. I’ll try to be quick” Odysseus begins climbing the rope up toward the island in the sky. Disappearing into its clouded perimeter. Once he’d gotten far enough, he hoisted himself onto the island grounds themselves. The area was filled with an endless gentle wind, the center adorned with elaborate pillars made of clouds.

  Odysseus looks around as he walks up to the center, “oh great wind god Aeolus. I don’t know if you know this. But, our path to home is blocked by an impenetrable storm.” Unknowingly, to the king, glowing eyes peer at him from behind gentle blowing fabrics. “I ask for your assistance, so we at last can go the distance.”

  A wind flows past Odysseus, messing up his hair and cloak; causing him to turn around and finally see the glowing eyes staring at him. Visibly sweating, Odysseus could only plead with the god. “Can you cast the perfect winds for us and aid our journey home?”

Instead of the figure making themselves known in front of him, there was a light tap to his shoulder. Causing him to, once again, turn around. “Hahaha!”  The feminine like figure leaned in a bit too close, making Oddyseus take a step back. “I am the wind, twisting and turning. I give the fire enough to stay bruning.”

  Aeoles giggles and floats around Odysseus in her clouds, playfully and almost child-like. Before being right back beside the Ithican, “lets play a game.” She smiles a bit mischievous, while Oddyseus just watches her with confusion. “A game?”

“That's what I’m serving, and if you win you’ll get what you're yearning.” The goddess faces him with her bright smile and playful nature. Odysseus crosses his arms as he smirks back, ready for any challenge this goddess had in store. “Deal.”

Aolas rushes easily around in her clouds as she now holds up a normal looking bag. “Take a look, right here, at this bag. It has the winds of the storm all trapped. All you gotta do is not open this bag.” She winks at him as she tosses it. Prompting the king to almost fumble and drop the flimsily made bag. But, Odysseus knew better. Gods of all sorts loved their little games. “Sounds too easy, what’s the catch?”

“Hahaha!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Back down on the main ship, Nefeli was beginning to become worried for her friend. “What's taking him so long?” She chews on her lip while looking up toward the island. Polydeuces could sense her anxiety and got an idea. “Hey Ne.. um.. Your hair has gotten pretty long huh?”

  His plan to distract her seemed to work, as the woman looked at him. “O-oh yea.. I was planning to cut it.” She mumbles before Polyduses takes her hands,making her blush. “Nooooo, don’t cut it.” He teases her in the same way she had. Nefeli half laughs, rolling her eyes. “You’re a dumbass…” before sighing, “fine… go ahead.” She slips her hands free from his as she turns around for the other.

  Polydeuces silently cheers, gently taking lotas off the top of Nefelis head. “Sorry, but it's my turn now.” He sets the small fuzzball down, earning a pout from the creature while it scurried off to explore. “So… what will you do when we get back home?” She asked curiously once,  Polydeuces began gently brushing his fingers through her hair. “Hmm… maybe I’ll take up swordsmithing? I’ve always loved crafting things, and my father used to work as one.” He mentions his father with a heavy heart, but continues attending to Nefeli.

“His works were some of the best anyone had ever known, before I went off to war. People would still tell me that, they believed he was blessed by Hephestus himself..” Polydeuces shakes the memories from his mind as he struggles to make a braid. “I remember.. He’s even the one that made my spear.” Nefeli smiles a bit sadly as she trunks the weapon in her hand. “I'm sorry Po…” 

“D-don't be… My father would be proud of the choices I’ve made… ahem.. So, what about you Ne? What will you do?”

  Nefeli begins humming a soft tune, one her mother used to sing when she was little. “Well.. I was planning to return to my position as a guard… But now, I can’t stop thinking of my mom… our farm. She’ll need help tending to it.” Polydeuces nods simply, “well.. Whatever you decide. I’ll be there.. if you ever need it.” She smiles, “thanks po.”

“You’re welcome…. Anddddd, I think i'm finished here… Its not perfect but I did my best” Polydeuces smiles sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck while Nefeli checks. “I like it.”

  “Oi! Do I get braids too?~” Their little moment was interrupted by Eurylocus teasing them. Nefeli scoffs a laugh, “your bald Eury.” This causes the others on their ship to also laugh, “rude.. I have plenty of hair.” Eurylocus huffs, but laughs as well.

  Soon, Odysseus returned; climbing back down the rope with the bag. Nefeli didn’t waste a moment running over to him. “Oh thank god’s you’re okay.” Polydeuces watches, silently wishing for their moment back. “There she goes again.. “ Eurylocus pats his shoulder, “hey… Odysseus might be our captain. But, he’s also one of Nefelis childhood friends… So, don’t take it to hart.. NOw, come on.. Let see what he’s got.” The rest of the crew gathers around, curious as to what their captain brought. “Captain, what’s happening? What’s trapped in that bag?”

  Nefeli noted how flimsy the bag looked, and yet, it was so beautifully decorated. Odysseus attempts to make his way through his crew, holding the bag close. “Something dangerous friends, we mustn’t lag!” He orders just as; cute cloud-like wisps appear behind him. “It’s treasure! “  Odysseus looks back at the creatures in shocked dread, “what?” The wrists only giggle mischievously and disappear “Buh-bye~!”

  “Little shits” Nefeli mumbles, while the crew begins crowding Oddysseus more. “Open the bag! Let’s see what you’ve got!” Nefeli shakes her head as she pushes members of the crew back. Frowning in disappointment, “No, do not!” The king sighs deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Everyone listen closely, see how this bag is closed? That’s how it’s supposed to be. This bag has the storm inside! We can not let the treasure rumor fly.”

  Nefeli aids Odysseus through the crew while they mutter, “we’ll try…” Causing Nefeli to grumble and turn to them. “Seriously?? Use your brains for like, five seconds… Do you see black clouds anywhere? The storm we just waged through?” She gestures to the now clear skies and calm seas. “Noooo.. Because nowwww, we have this bagggg that's right. So that means keep it closed!” She huffs and turns back around, continuing toward Polydeuces.

The other man sighs softly, shaking his head. “Captain, if i may.. Let me and Nefeli help you keep watch. It's still a long way home, and there’s no way you can do it alone.” Odysseus nods in agreement, “okay.. Thank you my friends.”

  Once everything was set, the ships started sailing once more. Now though, Aolas followed them; floating around as she catched the perfect winds through their sails. “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer!”  Her little wisps gleefully drift about, “never really know who you can trust.”  As the days went by, Nefeli began noticing how on edge Oddyseus had become. It was clear the death of their friend hung heavy on them both. “Hey.. umm.. I know we haven't had a chance to talk since… what happened on the island. I'm sorry.. It's my fault he’s dead. I should've been less reckless.”

She hangs her head in shame but, Odysseus lightly nudges her. “Hey.. it wasn't your fault” They both look at each other tiredly, “Okay, okay.. You're both barely standing on your feet. Go get some rest.” Polyduces joins them as he gently takes the bag, “I'll keep watch.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The three sit by side, looking like the living dead with how little they’ve slept. “For nine days straight, we’ve been wide awake. Trying to make it home with no storm or tidal wave…” Nefeli mutters sleepily, while Odysseus nods off slightly. “We remain unopposed. The bag is still closed.. And We’re getting closer to you…” Polydeuces leans against Nefeli as the three struggle to keep their eyes open. Even, poor lotus had fallen asleep in Nefeli’s lap.

“Penelope…”

“Mom…”

“Anezka”

  Odysseus smiles weakly as images of his wife and son play before him. “I can’t wait to make some new memories… Telemachus.. Time for me to be the father I never was…” Odysseus reaches for them, both out of reach. Nefeli tears up as he closes her eyes. “Mother… I can’t wait to see you again..” Polydeuces ached for his sister, “Anezka… your big brother is so close..”

“Just keep your eyes open.” Four figures dreamily say, “why are my eyes and my heart so heavy?” Odysseus mutters lowly. “Just keep your eyes open..” Anezka seemed to move further away from Polyduces as he attempted to hug her. “I'm trying to embrace you, why won't you let me?”

  “Just keep your eyes open.” Nefeli shakes her head, as if refusing the repeated request. “Mother, so much has changed. But, I’m the same.. Yes I’m the same!” She cries as the voices and images of their loved ones swirl around them. “Just keep your eyes open… Keep your eyes open…”

  “Wake up… Wake up!  They’re opening the bag, wake up!!!”  The images were quickly snatched away as the trio were awoken by the storm reforming. “Nooo!!!” Odysseus, Nefeli, and Produces scream. From behind the ships, Aolas forms giant clouds; blowing giant gusts of tornado-like winds through their sails. “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer~”  Nefeli held onto to whatever she could, “Polydeuces!” She yelps as their ships tossed roughly through the passing seas.

“I've got you!” Polydeuces holds onto her and lotus tightly as he grunts against the harsh waters and slamming winds. Odysseus could barely bring himself to his feet; holding onto the rails as he looked to the wind goddess. “Where’s the storm taking us?!”

  “I said keep the bag closed, but you weren’t compliant. If I had to guess, you're heading for the land of the giants.”  Aeoles smirks before disappearing, the storm continues raging and pelting at their ships. Odysseus stumbles as he tries making his way over to the hellish bag. “Help me close the bag!!” He yells over the howling winds, “but sir it’s too late!” Eurylocus yells back as both men half blindingly head to the bag. “We can save whatever wind is left to use another day, come on!!”

  With their combined efforts and strength, the two men manage to close the bag. Putting an end to the strong winds, the ships seemed safe. Nor a single soul had been lost during the chaos.

  Barely even having a moment to catch their breath, as from the very depths of the seas. An intimidating voice ripples the waters around them. “Odysseus of Ithaca!!” The ripples form into a giant, watery, horse head. It looks down at them with an uncanny smirk, all five hundred and eighty-nine ithacans could only stare up at the figure.

“Do you know who I am?”