7DeadlySins: I knew you would be happy with this kiss!^^ We are getting closer to their happy ending. Timaeus will come back in the picture. I'm just not saying how or when. And with Odysseus, this is going to be complexe (because you all know how much I love complicated things!XD) For the dolphins, don't worry, they are still alive. But since there are disconnected from their mistress, they got disconnected from the mortals as well. They are now roaming freely in the wild.

Chipo: Is that a challenge?! Ok! We are now april 17 and I have until may 27 for the next chapter. I will try my best to do that for you! ;)

Vaya: Sorry for the wait, but now it is here!

Guccy: That would be interesting but now in accordance with Delphina's character!XD

Thank you for your comments and your patience!XD

Chapter 35: Calypso

Calypso was happy.

Lying down on the sandy beach, she admired the night sky. Blessed by a warm weather with a breeze. The sand slid between her fingers and molded to her body on the blanket. She was comfortable.

Even more comfortable since she wasn't alone.

She turned her head and contemplated the handsome man lying with her. He looked older than her but he had managed to conserve most of his best features. His thick beard and his deep brown eyes along with his strong body. Wise, clever, courageous and virile. Totally her kind of guy.

It had been seven years today since Odysseus found his way accidentally on her island. No! Not accidentally! It was clearly fate!

For so long, she had called loneliness her routine. Yes, she had her maid servants and yet, she failed to become close to them, as if the hierarchy had put a barrier between them. They shared a big complicity while excluded Calypso. Could you imagine that? Being surrounded and yet still feel alone?

Then someday, she found that man on her shore. Awfully thin, bleeding a little, smelling like seaweed, his hair and beard full of dirt. Despite this unfortunate presentation, he displayed a charming beauty. And as crazy as it sounded, she fell in love at first sight. She had the impression that she had always been waiting for him. As if Aphrodite had taken pity on her and sent her this man to fill up the emptiness.

Of course, nothing had been perfect at the beginning. From what she learned, Odysseus was already married. At first, she got heartbroken. This beautiful man already belonged to another.

However, she looked at him deeper. He seemed defeated. He told her he had been at war for a decade. Then, he had tried to get back home for three years. Sadly, he had offended Poseidon and he had been punished by facing countless trials on his way home while he never succeeded to reach. And now, his road led him to her island.

She pitied him. So much suffering. Just like her. Then, she realised that in thirteen years, there was the possibility that his wife had forgotten about him. Without new from him, she must think he was dead. Consequently, she must be remarried. His son was already a grown man who had forgotten everything about his father. His home certainly had a new king.

She perfectly knew how it felt to be forgotten by the ones you loved the most…

So, she kept him near her. She convinced him how pointless it was to attempt to go back where he could only find more suffering and pain.

With her, he would only find comfort and love. She promised him.

Despite his deep reluctance, he gave in. Now, seven years had passed since they had become lovers and she couldn't be happier.

"The sky is beautiful, Odysseus. Don't you think?"

"Indeed. It is." He said with a weak voice.

She raised her eyebrows. She noticed something wrong with him since this morning. He had been unusually quiet and secretive. She didn't say a single word during the day but now in this moment of intimacy, she needed answers.

"Something is tormenting you, my dear." She said out loud.

Her man turned his head toward her and was about to reply but knowing him well, she cut him. "It wasn't a question. Don't lie to me. I can clearly see when something is bothering you and I don't like it. I want to see you happy. So, tell me what has been an obstacle to your wonderful smile, today."

"Today is the day."

She was confused. "Could you be more specific?"

"Today… It has been exactly twenty years since I left Ithaca."

Calypso lost her words. Not again… Well, of course, the past would emerge in his mind from time to time. It was her duty to help him to get free from it.

"My love, I'm sorry. I know it is hard but you have to get over it. I am here for you now." She approached him and cuddled to him, offering her affection and comfort. "Always will be."

Odysseus sighed and tried to suppress the pain deep within him. But suddenly, he heard a sound of footsteps. He knew that the other nymphs had the order to never interrupt them during their moments of intimacy. Was there an emergency?

He rose his chest to look up. Calypso did the same.

He didn't expect…her. He would easily recognize her face even in nighttime. Ten years ago, their roads had crossed with awful consequences…and broken trust.

And to make things worse, she wasn't a stranger to his lover. Quite the contrary. She wasn't happier than him to see her. She spit coldly. "Delphina."

…

Delphina expected it.

She couldn't hope for Calypso to welcome her warmly. To hug her, crying and receiving easily her apologies and renew their relationship as if nothing had happened. No, this coldness was the right answer against her audacity to break her own promises. To betray their sisterhood bond. She would react the same if the roles were reversed.

But never would she have expected to see him again.

The one who had dared to trick her. The one who had used her reputation. The one who had trapped the Trojans. The one who had killed the child of Hector. The one who had been responsible for so many sufferings.

The one who was now in the arms of her sister.

So many different emotions bowled within her. She struggled to distinguish clearly each of them. First, shame. The memories she had attempted to contain got released under the sight of this man. Then, anger. Angry at Odysseus for everything he did. Sadness. Sad because obviously this man had been there for his sister when she cowardly hid in the depth of the sea. And finally, fear. Fear for her twin and the fragility of her heart.

After a moment of staying there, feet stuck to the ground, muscles frozen, paralysed in the present time, Calypso broke the glass by shooting. "Go away. You are not welcome here anymore."

It hurt. It horribly struck her soul. Not an instant during her childhood would she have believed that someday she would hear her sibling say something like this and truly meant it.

Delphina guessed Calypso regretted to have to say something so harsh. But deep inside, she just couldn't let go of her grudge. She had been abandoned by the one who should have never forgotten her in a thousand years. So, instead to deal with that like a civilised adult, she preferred to push her away. An eye for an eye.

The same she often did with Apollo… In a way, they had the same temper.

She advanced toward Calypso. She couldn't give up. She had to repair her mistakes. "Please, can we just talk? In private?"

Calypso gave her a menacing glare. "Wasn't I clear enough for you?"

Odysseus decided to intervene. "Calypso." He touched her hand. "Please, she remains your sister. At least, give her a chance to explain herself."

No matter how much Delphina wanted to hate Odysseus, she had to admit that his help was more than welcome. She had no clue what happened to him during the last ten years. As a matter of fact, she shouldn't judge him. She had learnt that time could change someone for the best or the worst.

Since the war was over, Odysseus should normally be at home with his wife and his son. But instead, he was here with her sister. What happened?

Also, she didn't miss the look the man gave to her twin. Was it love? Care? Affection? Or pity? The King of Ithaca was one of the cleverest men that ever existed. A true descendant of Hermes, the trickster god himself.

She couldn't trust if he genuinely loved her sister. Once she had ignored her own suspicions about him, but she couldn't do it again. Not when the well-being of her sister was involved.

And yet, he had been there for her when Delphina couldn't…or didn't care enough. Again, since she had no clue what was going on between them. First, she will need answers.

Things went back being complicated again.

Calypso sighed, then she turned to her twin. "Fine. We are going to my grotto. You can accompany us, Delphina."

…

The dinner deserved the title of the tensest moment Delphina ever lived.

The ex-warrior ate and tried to avoid to look directly at the ex-goddess. She did the same and listened to her sister sharing the big story.

"And after I found Odysseus lying down on the beach, I brought him here and provided all the medical care he needed. I was so worried. I asked his name and demanded to know what had happened to him. He told me in details all the adventure I have just described to you. By the way, did I describe them well, my love?"

"You did, my dear. You have always been a good listener."

"Always for you." She said while giving him a kiss.

Delphina tried to concentrate on her food as she could hardly mask her uncomforting feeling toward this demonstration of affection. It just looked so fake. Like very good actors who played a part but it was so romanticised that you could clearly see that it was not made to reflect reality.

At least, she understood better what Odysseus had been through. She possessed some empathy for him. He faced so many trials, lost so many men and lost hope to see his home and family again.

And yet, Calypso didn't mention the Trojan horse. Did she know about that episode or not?

Indeed, this moment was so tense.

Impossible to deny the wall that had been built between her and her sister. For the first time, she had the impression to meet a stranger. Even worse, she had felt more familiarity with Odysseus mainly since she had seen him more recently.

Delphina needed to fight that node in her stomach. She felt ashamed of what she did for her sister but on the other side she wanted to make up for her mistakes. The cold treatment Calypso was giving her hurt her but deep inside, she knew she deserved it. She wanted to be mad at Odysseus for what he did for her but she acknowledged her own part in the Trojan mess. She wanted to hate him for playing with the heart of his sister, but on the other side she was thanked him for taking care of her.

Why it was so complicated to get simplicity in life?

"So, Delphina, what did you do during the last decades?" The voice of the nymph got effectively the goddess out of her thoughts.

They stared at each other. It was now. The hour of truth. "I…" What should she say? "I'm sorry, Calypso."

"Really? Sorry for what?"

"Come on. You know what."

"Ho!" Calypso pretended she was surprised. "Wait! Are you telling me that you have realised what an eternity passed since your last visit? Are you saying that you regret stopping caring about your own twin sister? Or are you just admitting that you have forgotten about my own existence?"

No reply. Delphina knew it was the truth.

Calypso gazed at her like a shark. She breathed heavily. The storm she had contained deep within her menaced to explode and commit serious damages around her.

The tense situation intensified, intensified… "I hate you." Calypso said.

A knife in the heart would have hurt less. "Please…" Delphina begged.

"No! You will listen to me! I don't care what you did during your free time! I don't care how busy you were! I don't care what happened to you! All I care is that you stopped coming here! You stopped replying to my letters! How many times have we promised to always be there for each other?! Have you ever felt unwell and thought of coming to see me for comfort? Ho! I was probably not the first person to seek for that job anymore!"

Something clicked inside Delphina's mind. She remembered the day Calypso announced that she was moving to this island.

It had happened on the same day she and Apollo became patrons of Delphi. Like if… She had been replaced.

Then, there were also Hermes, Artemis, Asclepius, Achilles… She found scary how she had easily erased Calypso from her life. Delphina had complained for feeling lonely when she had always been the one pushing away the people who cared for her… Calypso had been lonely because she had been forgotten.

Her attachment for Odysseus was non only comprehensive but also appeared necessary. A love born from survival instinct.

Odysseus felt the need to intervene. "My dear, you should calm down. It is late. We should all go to sleep. A good rest will help us to calm our nerves, don't you think?"

She sighed before agreeing. A relief for Delphina who needed that respite as she struggled with too many strong emotions. She had to thank the mortal for that.

However, she couldn't miss the way he looked at her as he hugged her to offer some comfort. A sentiment of incertitude, of pity and almost regret.

This time, Delphina couldn't let herself be tricked: Odysseus was as much in survival mode as Calypso.

Deep inside, Delphina suspected it strongly: his sister's heart was in danger.

She couldn't leave so soon. No, Calypso needed her and for once, she will there for her sibling. She turned behind her and looked at the exit of the grotto. She thought of Apollo.

'I'm sorry, my Love. I will come back for you. But you will have to be patient as my sister needs me here. I hope you will understand.'

…

Apollo sat on his throne, waiting.

Yesterday still felt unreal. He had to replay the scene in his head so many times.

Delphina whom he had searched for during ten years. Ten years of insanity and depression. Ten years of madness and never-ending worries. This woman would cause his downfall if she wanted. She possessed that much influence and power over him.

Then, she had finally sought to see him again on her own will. A meeting that required every bit of his self-control to not take her on his chariot and steal her away to bring her back at Delphi, forever in his sight.

What he remembered the most was her sadness. She could smile as she wanted, he would never miss that tone behind her words. At least, he could hear his voice once again. But she was still not the same. A part of her was still gone. Her godly powers were still gone.

What happened to her spirit? What could he do to repair her?

He felt selfish for how happy he was to have at least won her love back. Indeed, how many times he had imagined that first kiss in his head? How did it taste by the way? He couldn't even remember how as his mind had been too distracted by the emotions of longing, lust, love and caring finally satisfied after an eternity of starvation.

He loved her. No matter if she remained a goddess or not. No matter how she changed. No matter how she looked. He only wanted to see her happy. Yeah, he would not deny it. He enjoyed the fact she could find her happiness with him. Impossible to suppress that selfishness from his persona.

Luckily, he felt selfless enough to allow Delphina to go see her sister. Let's hope that will help her to heal. He can wait for her.

"Good morning, dear brother."

Hermes had to choose that day to pay a visit. "If you have a message to send, get quick." Apollo rudely replied.

"Here I thought that since my aunt is now back in the picture, you would be more agreeable. Anyway, Father sent me to check on you. How are you going?" The messenger god said while taking a seat in front of his big brother.

"Fine. Delphina promised to come back to Delphi. But, first, she has to go see her twin sister she hadn't seen in a while. So now, I am just waiting for her to expose herself to sunlight once she is ready."

The God closed his eyes in order to check everything he could see from the sun. He growled when catching a familiar scene in the temple of Delphina.

"Let me guess." Hermes commented. "More mortals talking badly about your beloved?"

The God of Light opened his eyes, not masking his annoyance provoked by this remark. Of course, he didn't ignore that so many humans profaned Delphina's memories as she had disappeared for so long that she had neglected her duties. But these idiots could not wonder if the situation was more complicated and beyond their basic knowledge.

He desired to punish them more than anything else. However, he suspected Delphina would disapprove and he couldn't risk her anger anymore. And yet…

"Why? We, gods, have committed so much worse than she did. We are more hypocrite than her. Our arrogance belongs to a scale that she cannot even get close to. Why are they more upset by her mistake?"

"You are the God of Truth and the God of Reason. You should know that but let me help you. Mortals know that if they talk badly about us, they will get instantly punished. They are not all stupid. They know Delphina will never strike back. But that's not the only thing. She is one of the few goddesses that they felt they could always trust. One that will always help them no matter what without asking anything in return. Whenever we let our temper control us, they expect that. They are used to it. But not from Delphina. Nothing hurt as much than having your trust betrayed by the one you always believed worked for your well-being. That's what happened to the Trojans."

Hermes was right. Apollo understood that if Delphina wanted to get back her previous reputation, acting on her behalf would not work. She needed to go through her own journey. And it began with her twin sister who had been there at the beginning of her life.

"I am surprised that you are not spying what is happening on Ogygia island with your powers. You are fully trusting her." Hermes said.

"Never again will I stalk her. Now, I will respect her privacy and allow her to make her own choices. I made that mistake too many times in the past. Not anymore."

"Ho! That's perfect! Then, I will not bother you longer." Already ready to leave, Hermes began to take off to fly away to Olympus.

"Stay right there." The sharp and authoritative voice of Apollo resonated.

Hermes's feet landed in a dangerous silence. He looked at his brother and he received a stare that made him feel like a slave caught stealing by his master and asked to be mentally prepared for his unavoidable punishment. He was the Trickster God…but he could hardly trick the God of Truth.

"I can easily guess when you are hiding something important from me. So, please talk. I'm waiting."

Of all Zeus's sons, Apollo was the one who inherited the most his dominance. Hermes would not get out of here without delivering the answers required.

"Do you remember ten years ago when I asked you to spare my great grandson Odysseus?"

So, here they were. "Continue. I am interested."

'Too much interested.' Hermes anxiously thought. "Well, you accepted and it is a miracle that you kept your word. You didn't even care about what he was doing, ignoring with skills all the numerous gossips about his incredible journey full of misadventures."

"The less I was reminded of his existence, the more I could resist the temptation of burning him with my sunrays."

"Well, if I may give you an advice. You should keep not knowing where he is right now."

Apollo's brain rapidly made the connection. His anger increased. "Don't tell me…"

This time, Hermes ran away quickly. He needed to learn to shut up.

…

Delphina had spent her first night on land in ten years and sadly, she hadn't slept well at all. She continued turning around her blankets, yet Hypnos, the God of Sleep, seemed stubborn about ignoring her tonight.

Lonely in her own part of her cave, she knew that somewhere else, her sister and Odysseus were embracing each other in a bed.

It made her longing to be with Apollo, in particular now that she learned to be at peace with her own feelings. She desired to lie down in his arms and just forget about everything else.

Then, the things between her and Calypso were even more unfair. No doubt Apollo sincerely loved Delphina as he had proved his devotion so many times. She could hardly use the same qualities to describe Odysseus's attachment. She ignored if his wife was truly remarried as Calypso foolishly pretended in order to reassure herself. Even if she was, Delphina knew that Odysseus had always been deeply in love with Penelope from what she heard from Achilles. Ironically this love caused the war as the King of Ithaca had proposed the idea of the oath of Tyndareus to the King of Sparta in order to avoid conflict between Helen's suiters. If the idea worked, he wanted to get the hand of Penelope in marriage in exchange.

So romantic and so tragic.

Delphina remained persuaded that Penelope still occupied Odysseus's mind most of the time…

Ok! She definitely couldn't sleep. She needed to get up, take some fresh air and clear her mind.

She rose, put sandals on her feet and decided to go outside and enjoy the quietude of the night's sky.

She discovered she wasn't the only one boycotted by Hypnos.

"The sky is beautiful tonight, don't you think?" Calypso said as she leaned against a palm tree.

Both alone at last, Delphina felt less nervous to converse. "Of course. You and Odysseus were looking at it when I arrived here."

Silence.

Well, fine. They could just stand there, relaxing and enjoy the present. No conflict, just a pretending sisterly moment. Except, Calypso couldn't pretend.

"I know what happened at Troy, ten years ago. I didn't bring it up at the dinner because I didn't desire to put my beloved in an uncomfortable situation. But I know."

How much did she know? "Calypso… I…"

"I will be direct. I don't care that he did this to you and those people. War is war. I am not like you who run away when your man does something awful. And considering all the trials he faced before arriving here, we can agree that he has been punished enough for a lifetime. He deeply regrets his actions and I will not let you put him in shame."

"It was not my intention at all." Delphina had her own part of guilt as well. She learned to forgive herself. Yet, she is still mad at Odysseus but for other reasons this time.

Delphina knew her situation. Calypso loved Odysseus and she hated her. Or at least, kept strongly a grudge against her. So, diplomacy looked unnecessary.

Better to be straightforward as well.

"I know that nothing will ever justify what I did to you. You are right. I forgot about you. I rarely thought of you. I betrayed your trust. Becoming a goddess made me enter a world where you didn't follow me. You felt rejected. You felt lonely and I stopped considering you as someone very important to me. I will not try to earn your forgiveness. I cannot change the past. I can only control my present and my future."

"And?"

"Don't judge me but, I still care about you. I would like to be sure about the sincerity of your feelings about Odysseus… Are you sure you are not looking to fill up a void in your heart?"

Delphina already regretted her words.

Calypso smoked of rage. She looked at her sister and spit with venom. "Excuse me? Are you jealous? I refuse to answer that question! Did I ever attempt to talk badly about your guy, Apollo?"

"I'm sorry. I was stupid. It is just…" She hesitated.

Anger flourished within Calypso. "Don't be a coward! Say it!"

"How can you be so sure his wife forgot about him?!"

"Why not?! You did forget me!"

"But if she didn't! What gives you the right to separate her longer from her husband?! What about Odysseus really wants?!"

"How dare you?! I finally succeeded to be truly happy and then, you come back, trying to ruin everything?! Why do you hate me so much?!"

"I don't hate you! I care about you! I am worried that you may end up heartbroken really hard! Also, he is mortal!"

"I will eventually share ambrosia with him! I will convince him to become immortal with me. I am just giving him time to get accustomed to the idea!"

"It has been seven years and he is still reluctant to have eternity with you! Don't you think it is suspicious?!"

"Shut up! You only say that because you don't know him! You only see the worst in everyone! Like you always do with your Apollo! It is a miracle he has never given up on you when you give up on everyone around you! You should go back to him! You have always been happier with him than with me! Well, I am happier with Odysseus than with you!"

"So, it is all about Apollo. Are you mad at him because he replaced you?"

Calypso laughed. "You are an idiot. It began way before the day of his birth. You know exactly when I began to become less important to you. You know what truly replaced me."

"Calypso…"

"I know everything. I know that you lost your powers. Did you lose your dolphins as well?"

"I don't know. I didn't dare to call them to find out."

"It is crazy that you remember me only after your sea mammals got out of your life. Now that you are not a goddess anymore, I must be worthy of you once again!"

It was a first. Their first real fight. The volcano between them had finally erupted.

Delphina was clearly an idiot. Had she not seen signs before? Every time she visited her sister and how she seemed uncomfortable around the dolphins?

Calypso shook her head and retorted. "I'm tired! I am going back to bed! Just one last warning! Do not talk badly about Odysseus ever again! It is between you and I! Good night!"

Calypso was now gone…and not just physically.

What to do? What Delphina should do?

The sky became less dark… The sun was about to rise. She ran back to the grotto. All she knew was that she couldn't go back to Delphi right now. No, leaving would make her an even more terrible sister.

Just how long should she stay? Someone was waiting for her. But she had to stay with her sister and make sure that she will there if Odysseus committed a mess.

She should write a letter just to reassure him. But she feared his reaction if he ever learned…

"Delphina." Someone said behind her.

She gasped. His voice.

Too late, Apollo was already here.

Thank you for reading!

Ho! My god! I knew that chapter would be hard to write but still! Odysseus and Calypso are very fascinating and complexe characters. I am not sure if I did them justice but I did my best! Feel free to let me know your impressions.

For Odysseus, don't worry, we will learn more about his point of view of the story in the next chapter!

I hope you enjoyed it.

See you soon!