Poseidon: These guys are such idiots. Why are you hanging out with them, my niece?

Aika: Because they're my idiots! AND YOU AND YOUR SON  MUDERED 557 OF THEM!

Poseidon: Oh...sorry?

Aika: You will be for messing with my mother's champion...

The winds that had been their salvation now whipped around them, a constant reminder of the tempest they had unleashed. The crew looked to their captain for guidance, their eyes filled with hope and fear in equal measure. Odysseus took a deep breath, his eyes meeting each of theirs in turn. "We'll rest," he said finally. "But we must be prepared to leave at a moment's notice."

Eurylochus stumbled back to the shore, his eyes wild with terror. "Captain," he panted, his voice shaking. "I have something... something I must confess."

Odysseus turned to him, his own weariness momentarily forgotten. "Go scout the island," he ordered, his eyes searching Eurylochus's. "Find out if there is any threat nearby and bring Aika and some men."

"But captain," Eurylochus protested, his voice cracking with fear. "I have something that I must say."

Odysseus's gaze never left the horizon. "Eurylochus, go with Aika and secure this island," he said firmly. "We've survived a storm, and we need to ensure we can rest here without fear."

Eurylochus nodded, his eyes filled with a mix of fear and determination. "As you command, Captain." He turned and hurriedly assembled a group of men, Aika by his side, and set off into the heart of the island. The winds had died down, leaving the air thick with the scent of rain-kissed earth and blossoming flora.

Odysseus watched them disappear into the lush foliage, his heart heavy with the weight of his decision. The island seemed to whisper with secrets, and he couldn't shake the feeling that this was a trap. An hour dragged by, the sun shinning high in the sky, painting the world in a warm blue hue. The gentle lapping of the waves against the shore was the only sound to keep him company.

Finally, Eurylochus emerged, his eyes wild with terror, his clothes torn. "Eurylochus," Odysseus called out, his voice strained with worry. "Where's the rest of your crew? What happened to Aika?"

The man stumbled forward, his voice shaking. "Sir," he gasped, "since we left home, we've faced gods and monsters, but nothing... nothing could have prepared us for this." His words hung in the air, a prelude to a horror none of them had anticipated.

Odysseus felt his heart drop into the pit of his stomach. "What was it?"

"A woman," Eurylochus choked out, his eyes haunted. "A powerful sorceress named Circe. She called to us from a palace hidden within the trees. Aika was with me and the men, she had them in just two words..."

"Come inside," Circe's melodic voice echoed through Eurylochus's trembling recount, sending shivers down Odysseus' spine. "Let me bring you all something to eat. You must be tired from your long journey."

Odysseus's eyes snapped to Eurylochus, his heart racing. "Where is Aika?"

"Sir, she was the first to follow the voice," Eurylochus replied, his eyes haunted by the memory. "As soon as she stepped into the palace, she was gone. I tried to call out to her, but the words were torn from my throat."

Odysseus's heart pounded in his chest, the mention of Aika's name bringing a mix of fear and determination. "What kind of power does this sorceress wield?"

Eurylochus's eyes grew wide with horror as he recounted their encounter with Circe. "The power of transformation, my lord," he whispered. "She turned my comrades into pigs before my very eyes. Only I remained untouched, hiding in fear."

Odysseus clenched his fists, his mind racing. "We must save them," he said firmly, his eyes never leaving Eurylochus's. "And Aika. We must save them all."

"But, Captain," Eurylochus protested, his voice trembling, "Circe's power is unlike anything we've encountered. She could turn us all into beasts or worse. We should leave before it's too late."

Odysseus's eyes searched the horizon, his jaw set firmly. "I can't abandon them," he said, his voice filled with determination. "Aika is in there, and she trusted us. I won't leave her behind."

Eurylochus took a step back, his expression a mix of fear and admiration. "But, Captain," he stammered, "Circe is too powerful. She's a goddess in her own right, with power to make us all her playthings."

Odysseus' jaw tightened. "I don't care about her power," he said firmly. "We have to save them. All of them." His eyes searched the horizon, as if seeking divine intervention.

Circe, watching from the shadows of her enchanted palace, felt a thrill of amusement. She had observed the mortals from afar, their fear and desperation a symphony to her ears. "Ah, the noble Odysseus," she murmured to herself, a smirk playing on her lips. "So eager to play the hero."

Aika's name hung in the air, a silent scream echoing in Odysseus' mind. He had to save her, no matter the cost. He knew the risks of facing Circe, a goddess whose power could bend the very fabric of their reality. But he also knew that he had faced gods before and emerged victorious. He had to believe that he could do it again.

He marched into the dense foliage, the words of the siren's chant still ringing in his ears. "Aika," he called out, his voice echoing through the forest. "Aika, can you hear me?" The only response was the cacophony of unseen wildlife and the whisper of leaves fluttering in the breeze. His heart raced as he pushed through the thick underbrush, every step taking him further from the shore and deeper into the island's embrace.

Suddenly, a voiced called out from the darkness, cutting through the tension like a knife. "I must say, what a brilliant speech you gave!" A figure emerged from the shadows, his form shimmering with a silver glow.

"Hermes," Odysseus whispered, recognizing the messenger of the gods.

The silver-tongued god stepped closer, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Ah, so you do recognize me," he said with a smirk. "But do you know why I'm here?"

Odysseus took a step back, his hand resting on the pommel of his sword. "Why are you here, Hermes?" he asked, his voice steady despite the fear that gripped him.

The god of thieves and messengers stepped out of the shadows, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Oh, just a friendly visit," he said with a smirk. "I heard your little speech to your friend. Quite the show of... courage, or was it foolishness?"

Odysseus eyed Hermes warily. "What do you want?" he demanded, his hand resting firmly on the hilt of his sword.

"Oh, I just came to offer a little... assistance," Hermes replied with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "You know, the kind that could save your men from becoming the main course at Circe's dinner party."

Odysseus eyed him warily, his grip tightening on his sword. "What kind of assistance?"

Hermes chuckled, a sound that seemed to resonate through the very air. "The kind that comes from the gods," he said with a mischievous twirl of his fingers. "Circe is a formidable opponent, one that requires more than mere mortal strength to overcome." His eyes glinted in the moonlight, a knowing look that spoke volumes of the perils that awaited them.

Odysseus took a deep breath, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on his shoulders. "What must I do?" he asked, his voice a mix of desperation and resolve.

Hermes grinned, his teeth gleaming like polished marble in the moonlight. "Take this," he said, producing a small root from his satchel. "It's called moly, a gift from the gods. When you face Circe, chew it well and let its power flow through your veins. It will protect you from her spells and grant you the strength to resist her enchantments."

Odysseus took the root with trembling hands, his eyes never leaving Hermes'. "What of my men?" he asked, his voice tight with emotion. "What will become of them?"

"Circe's power is vast, but not unlimited," Hermes replied with a knowing smile. "If you can resist her enchantments, perhaps there's hope for them too." He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "But beware, the path to victory is fraught with danger. Her spells are potent, and she will not easily surrender her new... pets."

Odysseus studied the moly in his hand, the silver root feeling almost alive in his grasp. "What happens now?"

Hermes leaned back on his heels, a knowing smile playing across his lips. "Now, you face Circe," he said, his voice a mix of challenge and amusement. "But remember, the root is only a shield. Your wit and courage will be your true weapons."

Odysseus nodded solemnly, tucking the moly into his pouch. "I won't disappoint," he said, determination etched into his features. "But what of Aika? How can I save her?"

Hermes' smile grew sly. "Ah, the daughter of Athena," he mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Her fate is tied to yours, as you well know. To save her, you must first save yourself and your men. Only then can you hope to break Circe's hold on her." His eyes gleamed with a mischievous spark. "But remember, Odysseus, the gods are always watching. Your choices will shape not just your destiny, but hers as well."

"Aika is in there," Odysseus murmured to himself, clutching the moly root in his hand. "I must save her." His eyes searched the horizon, as if willing Athena to appear and offer guidance. But the sky remained empty, leaving him to face the challenge ahead with only Hermes' cryptic words as a beacon.

Me:...

Aika: Can we move on so I can be saved? 

Me:...alright fine.

Aika: Off to go hang out with my second parents! *Goes to soul Polites and Thais*