It was a lovely night; no clouds in the sky; the moon bright as ever, among the shimmering stars overhead. Too bad, such a beautiful night was going to be filled with screams.

  The wooden horse, set in the middle of Troy, its soldiers and civilians sleeping. Having celebrated a supposed victory, but within the belly of the structure. Lie in wait, 600 men and one woman; Nefeli takes a deep breath, gripping her spear with one shaky hand. While, the other addons herself with her helmet. “Are you okay?” Jagar, one of her three brothers asked. “Something about this… feels wrong.” She replies unsteadily.

“I know… but remember, who we are doing this for.” Jagar hugs her shoulder, “for Ithica… for mother..who is probably worrying sick over us. So, let’s finish this and return to her.” He smiles at her.

  At that moment, Nefeli realized, in order to protect others. She’d have to do this; she’d have to go against own morality. The Trojans deserved it after all, right? Her grip around her spear steadies, swallowing down the doubt and fear. “You’re right… for mother..”

Odysseus, their captain and king, stands before them; lighting up a torch as he breaks his men’s silent conversations. “Alright, my brothers listen closely. Tonight we make the Trojans pay.” As he spoke, the remainder of the fleet started preparing their own shields and swords. “Ten years of war, they killed us slowly. But, tonight we’ll be the ones who slay.” While walking back and forth, checking his men. He frowned at Nefeli, giving her a sword.” Take this, that spear won’t be enough.” She nods as she accepts the extra weapon, “thank you captain.” He nods in return before continuing to walk the line. “Think of your wives, and your children. Your families wonder where you’ve been.” Odysseus turns, facing his men; all the while; Jagar, Lucus, and Polimites nod to their sister. “Do what I say, and you see them again.”

“Yes sir!” The Ithican soldiers respond as one.

  Odysseus starts giving his men their priorities. “Dionedes will lead the charge. Agamemnon will flank the guards. Menelaus will let our mates through the gates to take the whole city at large. Teucer will shoot any ambush, and little Ajax will stay back.” Some of the other men chuckle as Ajax pouts. “Nestor, secure Helen and protect her. Neo, avenge your father, kill the brothers of Hector.” He pauses in front of Nefeli once more, “Nefeli will come and cover me.”

“Yes sir!” She nods

  “Find that inner strength now! Use that well of pride! Fight through every pain now! Ask yourself inside; what do you live for, what do you try for, what do you fight for?!!” Odysseus turns on his heel, facing the entrance as his crew repeats his words. Nefeli steps up beside him, staying close to her friend as she peeks back at her brothers and comrades one last time. The door slowly opens as Odysseus unsheathes his sword, “ATTACK!”

  With his final order, battle cry’s ring through the night as soldiers run out; the massacre begins.

  Just as ordered, Nefeli stayed as close to Odysseus as she could. Cutting through arrows and soldiers alike, who dared to try and harm her friend. “Agh!” She screams, a Trojian had snuck up behind her, attacking her with his axe. Managing to slice up her back, she groans with a scoff. Instantly, impaling her spear through his jaw; tossing the soldier’s body into another Trojan, who was attacking a brother in arms. They lock eyes, the male giving her a silent thanks before their paths departed. “Nefeli! Are you okay?” Odysseus asked worryingly as he turned to his injured friend. “Y-yes I am, it's nothing… Look out!”

She points to a ghostly figure charging at them both, only for it to disappear like fog. Making the two Ithicans slightly terrified, “What was that?” Odysseus asked while helping his friend to her feet.

An Eagle's shadow cast over them as they ascended the castle stairs. The massive bird lands on a nearby window as they both approach it. “I’ve seen you before..” Nefeli walked closer, only to be quickly pulled back by Odysseus. “Dont..” He orders, just as the eagle opens its wings wide.

“A vision, of what is to come. Can not be undone. Can only be dealt with right here and now.”  The eagle says lowly to the two soldiers, his eyes narrowing at them both.

“Odysseus, I think I lost a bit too much blood.. I think I’m hallucinating.” Nefeli backs away more from the bird, “then we are both hallucinating. Because, I heard it too.” Odysseus points his sword at the large creature, “tell me how.”

  “I don’t think you're ready.”  The eagle takes flight, soaring through the halls as if guiding them. “A mission, to kill someone's son , a foe who won't run.  Unlike anything you have faced before.” 

  “Say no more, I know that I’m ready.”

  Nefeli looks around at the pieces of art as the two Ithicans follow the strange bird. Noticing some had Hector holding a child, she realized too late. “Wait!” Nefeli attempts to stop her friend from walking through the door. “I don't think you're ready.” 

Odysseus bared into the large room, sword and shield ready, only for the two Ithacans to see a single crib; a baby sound asleep inside. Nefeli silently approached the child, “it’s just an infant… It's just a boy. What sort of imminent threat does he pose that we can not avoid?” Odysseus asks the eagles, while Nefili gently picks up the child; holding him in her arms.

  “He’s cute.. My brothers said I was this small when I was born.” She smiles sadly as the infant takes a hold of one of her fingers. The eagle lands on the edge of a railing outside, his glowing eyes piercing.

   “This is the son of , none other than, Troy's own prince Hector. Know that he will grow from a boy, into an avenger.  One filled with rage as you’re consumed by age. If you do not end him now, you will have no one left to save!”  Thunder crashes behind the creature, “you can say goodby to… Penelope…”

  Nefeli stares at the bird in disbelief, “no… No this.. Odysseus we can’t do this. He’s just an innocent soul, who doesn't even know what's going on.” She panics while Odyseus stares at the infant, images of his own son replacing the small child. He quickly turned on his heel to negotiate with the eagle. “I could raise him as my own!”

“He will burn your house and throne.” 

“Or send him far away from home.”

“He’ll find  wherever you go.”

“Make sure his past is never known!” Odysseus kept trying while falling onto his knees, but Nefeli knew there was no escaping this. She tears up and says a silent apology to the child. “The gods will make him know.”

Nefeli cries as she yells at the damn creature, she too, falling to her knees as she holds the baby close to her chest.  “I’d rather bleed for ya!! We’re on our knees for ya!” Both of their pleas were silenced by the bird, “No, this is the will of the gods!”  More lightning and thunder clashed outside as rain began to pour.

“P-Please don't make us do this.. Don’t make us do this.” Nefeli weakly begs, her sobs adding to the downpour outside. “The blood on your hands you will never lose, all you can do is choose whos.”  The eagle raises his beak at her, as if analyzing the woman before flying away into the storm.

“Odysseus.. We can't…” Nefeli looks at her friend, tears streaming down her face as he gently took the child from her. The two Ithicans seated side by side. “I’m sorry..” He mumbles while slowly standing to his feet. Nefeli follows suit, head hanging low.

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Hello! New fanfic starting now! I am excited for this one since i love epic and the odyssey!!

Enjoy!!

(Edited)