Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

[Lights fade to open, Odysseus mid-centre stage surrounded by his soldiers.]

“Alright, my brothers, listen closely. Tonight, we make the Trojans pay. Ten years of war, they’ve killed us slowly. But now we’ll be the ones who slay.”

[Odysseus is looking between them, brows furrowed, determined. The chorus begins to sing low.]

“Think of your wives, and your children. Your families wonder where you’ve been.”

[Odysseus walks downstage, the soldiers following.]

“They’re growing old, and yet we’re still here.”

[He stops, and they stop.]

“Do what I say, and you’ll see them again.”

“Yes sir!”

[Odysseus starts pointing as he calls out soldier’s names to the beat.]

“Diomedes 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 attack, and little Ajax will stay back. Nestor, secure Helen and protect her. Neo, avenge your father, kill the brothers of Hector.”

“Yes sir!”

[With a clenched fist, Odysseus looks into the middle distance, above the audience, while the chorus stays back, still singing, ]

"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 wish for? What do you fight for?'"

[Chorus repeats in unison.]

"What do you live for? What do you try for? What do you wish for? What do you fight for?"

[The lights go dim, with a spotlight centred on Odysseus, looking forlorn.]

"Penelope... Penelope."

[He puts a hand over his heart.]

"And Telemachus...! I fight for us. I fight for us."

[Lights still dim, the chorus starts repeating, and he responds.]

"What do you live for?"

"Penelope."

"What do you try for?"

"Telemachus."

"What do you wish for?"

"I'm on my way."

"What do you fight for?"

[Odysseus raises his sword, the rest of the lights coming back.]

"ATTACK!"

[The chorus fights with swords clashing against swords in heated, vigorous battle. Odysseus is fighting hard amongst them, but still at the forefront, just as the lights flash to match the sudden change in music.]

"AGH...!"

[Clutching his head, Odysseus falls to his knees as the lights around dim once more. The chorus pauses in a freeze-frame as Odysseus gets his bearings.]

"... Who was that?"

[Zeus emerges from the crowd as an eagle shrieks distantly, hands behind his back as he walks downstage.]

"A vision, of what is to come. Cannot be outrun, can only be dealt with right here and now."

[Odysseus looks at the God as soon as he starts speaking, standing.]

"Tell me how."

"I don't think you're ready."

[Zeus approaches Odysseus, and Odysseus backs off, never looking away from the God.]

"A mission to kill someone's son. A foe who won't run, unlike anyone you have faced before."

"Say no more. I know that I'm ready."

"I don't think you're ready."

[Another spotlight shines on upstage centre as the music changes, where a baby's crib now is. The rest of the chorus is still on stage, but the one's in that particular spot have left. Odysseus approaches hesitantly.]

"... It's just an infant. It's just a boy. What sort of imminent threat does he pose, that I cannot avoid?"

[Odysseus stumbles away from the crib, downstage, to talk with Zeus face to face again.]

"This is the son of none other than Troy's very own Prince Hector. Know that he will grow from a boy to an avenger. One fuelled by rage, as you're consumed by age. If you don't end him now, you'll have no one left to save. You can say goodbye to—"

“Penelope...”

"You can say goodbye to—"

"Penelope...!"

[Odysseus shakes his head.]

"I could raise him as my own—!"

"He will burn your house and throne."

"Or send him far away from home—!"

"He'll find you wherever you go."

"Make sure his past is never known—!"

“The Gods will make him know.”

[Odysseus takes a knee, hand to his heart.]

"I'd rather bleed for ya, down on my knees for ya! I'm begging, please!"

“This is the Will of the Gods.”

[Odysseus looks to Zeus desperately, begging.]

"Please, don't make me do this. Don't make me do this."

[Zeus approaches, towering over Odysseus.]

"The blood on your hands is something you won't lose. All you can choose is whose."

[Lights fade to a blackout, music stops. End scene.]

Chapter Text

[The lights slowly fade in. A baby's crib sits mid-centre stage, length-wise facing the audience, and Odysseus stands behind it, looking down at the baby, gripping the crib's edge.]

"... I look into your eyes, and I... think back to the son of mine. You're as old as he was, when I left for war..."

[Expression hollow, gripping harder, looking unseeingly ahead of him towards the audience.]

"... Will these actions haunt my days? Every man I've slain, is the price I pay endless pain?"

[He looks back down at the baby with soft eyes.]

"Close your eyes, and spare yourself the view. How could I hurt you?"

[Leaving the crib's side, Odysseus crosses downstage left, slow.]

"I'm just a man who's trying to go home. Even after all the years away from what I've known."

[Once there, he stops, looking out above the audience.]

"I'm just a man, who's fighting for his life. Deep down, I would trade the world to see my son and wife."

[Odysseus looks down.]

"I'm just a man..."

[There's a harrowing pause, a silence. Then, ]

"But when does a comet become a meteor? When does a candle become a blaze?"

[Odysseus looks up, expression hard.]

"When does a man become a monster?"

[He crosses to centre stage, blocking the crib from view.]

"When does a ripple become a tidal wave? When does the reason become the blame? When does a man become a monster?"

[Odysseus turns slowly, rounding on the crib to be at his original spot.]

"When does a comet become a meteor? When does a candle become a blaze?"

"Forgive me..."

"When does a man become a monster?"

[He slowly unsheathes his sword.]

"Forgive me..."

"When does a man become a monster?"

[Raises it.]

"Forgive me...!

"I'm just a man."

[Song ends, lights fade to a blackout. End scene.]

Chapter Text

[The lights open up to a busy stage. Soldiers everywhere working, hauling crates, hoisting the sail. Odysseus enters from the left, looking harrowed but assertive. He watches how everyone's hard at work. He stands left centre stage as he begins.]

"Six hundred men. Six hundred men under my command, with only one goal in mind."

[The chorus stops as they sing, before getting back to work.]

“Make it back alive to our homeland.”

"Six hundred men. Six hundred miles of open sea. But the problem's not the distance,"

"It's what lies in between.”

[Odysseus slowly crosses towards centre stage.]

"And Ithaca's waiting."

"Ithaca's waiting,"

"My kingdom is waiting."

"The kingdom is waiting,"

"Penelope's waiting!

For me. So, full speed ahead. Full speed ahead..."

[A soldier approaches Odysseus, entering from stage left, saluting.]

"Captain."

"Eurylochus!"

"Six hundred men,"

"Six hundred men."

"Six hundred men, with big mouths to feed. And we've run out of supplies to eat."

"Curse the war, our food store's depleted."

[The crew continues to work amidst Eurylochus and Odysseus' conversation, not stopping for a second.]

"Six hundred men,"

"Six hundred men."

"Six hundred reasons to take what we can. So, Captain, what's the plan?"

"Captain, what's the plan?"

[Odysseus points out above the audience.]

"Watch where the bird's fly,"

"Watch where the birds fly."

"They will lead us to land."

"They will lead us to land."

[Odysseus pats Eurylochus' shoulder.]

"There, we'll hunt for food, my second in command."

[He looks back out to sea.]

"Now, full speed ahead."

"We're up, we're off, and away we go. We're up, we're off, and away we go!"

"Full speed ahead!"

"We're up, we're off, and away we go. We're up, we're off, and away we go!"

[A new soldier walks up, entering from stage right.]

"Captain!"

"Polites."

"Look!"

[Polites points out above the audience, smiling. Odysseus and Eurylochus follow suit.]

"There in the distance, I see an island. I see a light that faintly glows. Maybe they're people lighting a fire, maybe they'll share some food, who knows.”

[Odysseus shakes his head, frowning.]

"Something feels off here. I see fire, but there's no smoke."

"I say we strike first. We don't have time to waste, so let's raid the place, and—"

"No."

[Odysseus turns to Polites, handing him his sword. Polites grips the hilt with two hands.]

"Polites, gear up. You and I'll go ahead."

"You and I'll go ahead!"

"We should try to find a way no one ends up dead."

"We don't know what's ahead."

[Odysseus looks to Eurylochus, and the crew.]

"Give me 'til sunrise, and if we don't return... then, six hundred men can make this whole place burn."

[Odysseus looks out to the horizon first.]

"Now, full speed ahead..."

[Polites and Eurylochus follow suit.]

"Full speed ahead...! Full speed ahead."

[Odysseus walks down stage, Polites and Eurylochus on either side. The crew is standing, facing the audience.]

"We're up, we're off, and away we go!"

"We're up, we're off, and away we go!"

"Full speed ahead...!"

[Odysseus raises a hand out, fingers splayed, as he orders the crew.]

"We're up, we're off, and away we go!

"We're up, we're off, and a–

"Full speed ahead."

[Quick blackout as the song ends. End scene.]

Chapter Text

[Lights fade in slowly, dim. Odysseus enters stage right with Polites right behind, one hand on his sheathed sword. They're walking carefully until they hit centre stage, where the revolving floor is turned on. They continue walking as the floor moves, creating the illusion that they're walking. Eventually, Polites puts a hand on Odysseus' arm to grab his attention, and the revolving floor stops.]

"You can relax, my friend."

[Odysseus shoots Polites a confused glance.]

"Huh?"

"I can tell you're getting nervous, so do yourself a service and try to relax, my friend."

"I'm fine, Polites."

"Think of all that we have been through, we'll survive what we get into."

[The revolving starts moving again, and they both continue walking.]

"I know that you're tired of the war and bloodshed. Tell me, is this how we're supposed to live? Look at how you grip your sword, enough said. Why should we take when we can give?"

[Odysseus abruptly lets go of his sword.]

"You can show a person that you trust them, when you stop and lower your guard. Here we have a chance for some adjustment, give it a try, it's not that hard."

[Polites moves to be walking ahead of Odysseus, moving backwards.]

"I'm telling you, this life is amazing when you greet it with open arms. Whatever we face, we'll be fine if we're leading from the heart."

[Polites puts his hands to his heart, smiling. Chorus enters quietly from upstage left.]

"No matter the place, we can light up the world, here's how to start: greet the world with open arms, greet the world with open arms."

"Welcome."

[The revolving floor stops, and Odysseus yanks Polities behind him as he draws and points his sword.]

"Stay back!"

"Stay back, stay back."

[Polities gently touches Odysseus' arm as the Chorus shuffles away from the sword.]

"My friend, greet the world with open arms."

[Odysseus doesn't lower his sword, glaring.]

"We're only here for food."

"Food, food."

"Six hundred friends are waiting for us to show our faces."

"Food."

[The chorus shuffles closer, jumping back when he jabs his sword out.]

"Stay back, I'm warning you."

"Food!"

"If we don't get back safely, my men will turn this place into blazes."

"Here you go."

[The chorus holds out glowing flowers, heads bowed. Polites smiles.]

"See? This life is amazing, when you greet it with open arms. Whatever we face, we'll be fine if we're leading from the heart. No matter the place, we can light up the world. Here's how to start: greet the world with open arms, greet the world with open arms."

[Odysseus gently pushes Polites downstage right, away from the chorus.]

"My friend, I wish that I could say that I agree. But look at the way this fruit is glowing, and filled with glowing seeds."

[He gestures to chorus, and Polites looks as well.]

"It took me awhile to notice just what kind of fruit they eat. It's a lotus, it controls your mind and never lets you free."

[Odysseus turns back, and places a hand on Polites' shoulder.]

"That's what we'd get with open arms."

[Polites looks between Odysseus and the Lotus Eaters, frowning a little, before pushing past to cross over to them. Odysseus follows close behind, but doesn't stop him.]

"Lotus eaters, I'd like to show my friend that kindness is brave. Could you tell me where there's other food to eat?"

"The cave, there a cave."

[Polites turns and smiles at Odysseus before turning back.]

"A cave! You're saying there's a cave where we could feast? And where do we sail to find this food-filled cave?"

"East! That way."

[The Lotus Eaters point offstage left.]

"Thank you."

"Welcome."

[The Lotus Eaters shuffle off, exiting upstage right where they entered. Polities turns and crosses to Odysseus.]

"This life is amazing when you greet it with open arms. I see in your face, there is so much guilt inside your heart."

[His expression is open and gentle as he stares at Odysseus.]

"So, why not replace it, and light up the world? Here's how to start: greet the world with open arms, greet the world with open arms."

"... Greet the world with open arms."

[Polites rests his hand on Odysseus' shoulder, smiling.]

"You can relax, my friend."

[Lights fade to a blackout. End scene.]

Chapter Text

[Lights are dim, with different coloured lights pulsing in and out. Odysseus enters stage right, crossing.]

"Have you forgotten the lessons I taught you?"

[Time stops as Polities freezes, while Odysseus is centre stage, looking around.]

"Athena!"

"Have you forgotten to turn off your heart? This is not you."

[Athena enters from upstage centre, crossing down right. Odysseus can't see her, but she watches him.]

"I see you changing from how I designed you."

[Once all the way downstage, Athena stops.]

"Have you forgotten your purpose? Let me remind you..."

[She starts to walk slowly across the stage, staff in hand.]

"Goddess of wisdom,

"Master of war.

"My life has one mission,

"Create the greatest warrior."

[Now on stage left, she watches a frozen Odysseus.]

"I had a challenge, a test of skill; a magic boar only the best could kill."

[She crosses to Odysseus, staring down at him.]

"One day, a boy came, for the thrill. A boy whose mind rivalled the boar's own will."

[Odysseus and Polities both unfreeze.]

"Let's go!"

[They march offstage left, as Athena stares out at the audience.]

"Maybe one day he'll follow me, and we'll make a greater tomorrow. Then, they'll see I know he'll change the world, 'cause he is a warrior of the mind!"

[She walks back slowly, so she is midcentre stage proper.]

“Maybe one day I’ll reach him, and we can build his skills as I teach him. If there’s a problem, he’ll have the answer. He is a warrior of the mind!”

[Odysseus abruptly enters from upstage centre, and Athena backs off, where he takes her place centre stage. He's looking around warily.]

"Show yourself. I know you're watching me, show yourself.

"... I can see you."

[Athena steps forward.]

"How can you see through my spell?"

[He focuses on her.]

"Haha! I was lying, and you fell for my bluff. Hahaha."

[He's smiling smugly, and even she looks a little amused as she crosses down.]

"Well done, enlighten me, what's your name?"

"You first, and maybe I'll do the same."

[She narrows her eyes.]

"Nice try, but two can play this game."

[He waves her off, grinning.]

"Nahh, don't be modest, I know you're a Goddess. So, let's be honest: you are Athena!”

(Athena!)

“Badass in the arena! Unmatched, witty and queen of the best strategies we've seen!"

[She's smiling, too, now.]

"If you're looking for a mentor, I'll make sure your time's well-spent."

"Sounds like a plan! Goddess and man, bestest of friends!"

"We'll see where it ends."

"... Okay."

[The two cross to walk to opposite sides of the stage, looking towards the audience.]

"Maybe one day they'll follow me, and we'll make a greater tomorrow. Then they'll see I know we'll change the world, 'cause we are the warriors of the mind!"

[They cross again, past each other, to the other ends of the stage as they sing.]

"Maybe one day, we'll reach them, and we can build their skills as we teach them. If there's a problem, we'll have the answer. We are the warriors of the mind!”

[Athena crosses upstage centre, from where she entered.]

"I still intend to make sure you don't fall behind. Don't forget that you're a warrior, of a very special kind. You are a warrior of the mind!"

[Lights from behind her flash in and out, multicolour, as smoke billows out from behind her.]

"Don't disappoint me."

[With the flashes and smoke, she's gone, leaving Odysseus standing there.]

[Lights fade to a blackout, and the scene ends.]