"You can relax my friend..." he smiles gently...

time seemed to freeze...literally. Nefeli looks around in complete confusion, "huh? Polydeuces? She waves a hand in front of his face, not earning a response. She worriedly stands and checks the others, the whole ship; even the others nearby; were all frozen in time. "Nefeli?" The woman looks over at Odysseus, who was just as confused and worried as she was. "What's going on?"

"Have you forgotten the lessons I've taught you?" A voice said, breaking through their bewildered state. An owl seemed to soar through the frozen sky, circling the two Itrhicans. In an instant, their surroundings changed. The ship was replaced by an hourglass; their friends, sea, and sky replaced with floating stars in the distance. "Athena!" Odysseus yells as he goes to reach for the flying owl.

"Odysseus, wait!" Nefeli was quick to pull her friend back just as arrows were shot at them both. Nefeli swiftly cut through the arrows as she pulled Odysseus behind her. "Welp...she's pissed.."

The space-like waters around them ripple and shift, copies of Athena appearing before them. All of witch, charge at the two simultaneously "shit!" Nefeli yells as she blocks the oncoming attacks, "Have you forgotten to turn off your heart? This is not you!" One copy says as she kicks Nefeli away from Odysseus.

"Nefeli!" He yells, but having no chance to run to her; having to block more attacks with his shield. "I-I'm ok-Agh!!" Her words were cut as a copy kicked her once more in the gut, causing her to spit up saliva. Regardless, Nefeli stood her ground; readying for another attack. Only, for Athena to shift forms into an eagle; making Nefeli gasp and lower her guard. Earning a hard hit into her side that sent the small woman to the ground.

"Hey!" Odysseus groans as he manages to finally break free from the group of clones, running to Nefeli. Kneeling by the woman's side, protectively glaring at their mentor.

"I see you changing from how I've designed you." The clones seemingly melt back down into the water as Athena towers over the two.

"A-Athena" Nefeli weakly wipes the blood from her lips, shaking. "I-I'm trying... but I'm terrified."

Athena bows slightly, glaring at Nefeli and Odysseus equally. "Fear is a tool for survival. I thought I taught you both that. But it's more than just fear... its guilt.." Athena scowls in disapproval, "have you forgotten your purpose? Let me remind you."

Athena hits the end of her long spear into the ground, the waters around the two Ithicans seem to seep down; cascading like a waterfall and sending the two crashing through its waves. Falling until they ended up in a familiar forest. Both floating seamlessly above the world around them. "This is where...we fought those boars."

Both Odysseus and Nefli say in nostalgic unison, As Atehna guides the bodies down to the ground "Goddess of wisdom.. Master of war, my life has one mission... Create the greatest warrior." Once their feet settled on solid ground, Nefli was taken back to her youth. Remembering how one simple hunt changed both of their lives forever.

"I had a challenge, a test of skill. Two magic boars, only the best could kill." Athena had transformed back into an owl, flying ahead in expectancy for the two to follow. "..Come on.." Odysseus mutters, Nefeli sighs and follows her friend.

"One day, a boy and girl came for the trill. Two mortals whose minds trifled the boars own wills" The two Ithicans stubble upon their younger selves preparing for the hunt. Watching as young Nefeli stayed low to the ground, her spear in hand; readying for the attack like a panter in tall grass. "Heh...good times." Nefeli hums while Odysseus shakes his head with a soft smile, "you trifled me back then."

Nefeli sticks out her chest with pride, "ha. I had more balls than the prince of Ithaca." She teases as Oddyseus nudges her, "king now. Thank you very much." He half huffs before Athena had swooped down, smacking them both with her wings to pay attention. Transforming back as the young warriors were about to coordinate how to take down the boars together.

"Let's go!" Young Odysseus yells as Nefeli manages to pounce on one of the boars. The creature squeals and attempts to buck her off. While the other one stands, staring at Odysseus as it snorted. "Come onnnn.." He stays put, awaiting for the beast to charge at him.

"Maybe one day they'll follow me, and we'll make a greater tomorrow. Then they'll see, I know they'll change the world. Cause, they are warriors of the mind!" Young Nefeli took advantage of her boar's chaotic movements, positioning the blunt of her spear against its throat. Directing its rampage toward the other boar. "Watch out!" She calls, jumping off at the last second as the boar collided into the other one.

"Nice job." Young Odysseus and Nefeli laugh and highfive for a job well done. "Maybe, one day, I'll reach them. And we can build their skills as I teach them. If there's a problem, they'll have the answer. They are warriors of the mind!!" The two young children gathered their spoils, but something felt... off.

"Do you feel it too?" Nefeli asked while looking at their surroundings. "Something is watching us." Odysseus hums and looks around as well, "perhaps it is a god."

"Then let's test our luck." Nefeli smirks as she stands, acting coy. "Show yourself.. I know you're watching us, show yourself." Oddysseuss tries not to chuckle as he joins her side. Nudging her gently before also adding into their fun. "We can see you." Though, it earned them both getting tripped. The tip of a spear being pointed at their faces. "How can you see through my spell?"

"I was lying..and you feel for my bluff... hahaha." Odysseus chuckles proudly, but Nefeli gently bonks him over the head "Idiot.." she scoffs. The scene made the goddess amused as she lowered her spear, allowing the two children to stand.

"Well done, enlighten me, what're your names'?" The womanly figure asks inquisitively. Nefeli hummed and was about to answer, but was stopped by Odysseus. "You first and maybe we'll do the same."

"Nice try, but two can play this game." The woman smirks, Nefeli finally catches on as her eyes sparkle in admiration. "Don't be modest, we know you're a goddess. You are Athena!" She smiles and attacks the air as if, portraying the goddess herself. While Oddysseus cheers her on, "Athena!"

"Badass in the arena, unmatched, witty, and queen of the best strategies we've seen-" Nefeli was too occupied with her interpretations of Athena to notice the goddess holding out her spear; tripping the young girl into some mud. "Ugh!"

Athena shakes her head, her previous disguise unraveling to reveal all herself in all her glory. Staring down at the two Ithicans with interest, "If you're both looking for a mentor. I can make sure your time is well spent." The woman hums while Odysseus helps Nefeli back up to her feet. "Sounds like a plan, goddess and man, bestest of friends!" The two wait expectantly for a high five from the woman, only for her to turn from them. "We'll see where it ends."

"Okay..." The two warriors disappointedly give each other the high five before following Athena deeper into the woods.

Both Odysseus and Nefeli smile fondly at the memory, "that was rather pathetic." Odysseus half chuckles, looking at Nefeli. "Yea.. but I think Athena is right.. We've forgotten who we are. All this pain, guilt, and fear.. We are more than this Odysseus." Nefeli looks back at her friend with renewing determination. "We have six hundred men counting on us, if there's a problem. We'll have the answer."

Nefeli smiles as they face each other, taking one another's hands in confidence. "We are warriors of the mind!" They say in unison as their world returns back to the hourglass. With Athena towering over them in the starlit sky, "I still intend that you don't fall behind. Don't forget that you are warriors, of a very special kind. You are warriors of the mind!"

Time around them slowly starts to return, Nefeli blinks as she finds herself back at Polydeuces' side. "Don't disappoint me." Athena's voice echoes in her head while the world around her completely retired to its normalcy. Polydeuces waves a hand in front of Nefeli's face, "Nefeli? Ne!"

"Huh? Oh.. sorry, I guess, I'm the one who got lost in thought now." She smiles through her slight lie, "but.. Thank you for making me feel better Po...really." Nefeli leans against the other, taking in the details of her friend. "Hm...your hair has grown out quite a bit." She mindlessly starts playing with the ends as Polydusses looks away with a blush. "Y-yea... ten years without cutting it can do that. I was planning to use my sword to-"

Nefeli gives him a serious look, snipping his words dead in their tracks. "Don't you dare. It's too pretty to cut." Polydeuces feels his chest constrict, like an arrow had struck him. "Okay.. I won't cut it.." What was even happening? He was a blushing mess, it felt too hot all of a sudden, and Nefeli.. Was she always this beautiful?

"Can I braid it?"

"Huh?" Her question caught him off guard as he looked at her, her noses inches apart. "U-uh yes! I-I mean sure.." Polydeuces swallows dryly as Nefeli begins to braid his hair. 'Gods, why must you torment me?' He thought while she giggled in response to his shy and nervous demeanor.

At the other end of the ship; Eurylochus, Polities, and Odyseuss all watch the two proudly. "Good for her.." Eurylocus hums while Polites smiles, "it looks like Eros really struck those two."

"Ahhh well, I think it's safe to say I'm going to be the godfather to their children." Odysseus states boldly, "hey! no , if anything I'll be given that honor." Eurylochus gets in his face; challengingly. "Gentlemen please... we all know I will be the godfather." Polities smirks, patting their shoulders. "Shut up." They both say while shrugging the other off.

"Captain! Land ahead!" One of the other crew members yell, breaking up their friendly feud. Odysseus sighs and steps up to the helm, "alright. The sooner we get this done, the better. So full speed ahead!"