Notice: Honestly, it doesn't make much difference which animation you'll be watching for this song. Polyphemus isn't a track with too much going on, so feel free to choose whichever you like.

I also wanted to thank you all for the support and the wonderful comments you've been leaving—thank you so much for reading this story!

I'm sure the last guests were a surprise for everyone, right? Honestly, Jorge almost didn't make it in, but I decided it with a coin toss between him and another character, who will appear later—and Jorge won!

Once again, thank you all for your kindness, and I hope you enjoy the reading!

"Wow, five minutes and counting. He's good." That thought seemed unanimous among everyone in the room. The man from the future had been screaming for quite some time, and many were beginning to wonder if he might run out of breath.

To be fair, he was starting to slow down, but Scylla decided she wanted to greet him.
Evidently, that wasn't a good idea.

Odysseus was still trying to process the dejected expression on the monster's face. It was something he didn't quite know how to interpret.

Penelope, on the other hand, observed the man with curiosity. He looked like a younger version of her husband, though with some striking differences: he was thinner, his face slightly longer, and his skin lighter. His hair was a bit darker, and, unlike Odysseus, his eyes were a single, uniform color. Penelope could have spent more time listing the differences, but she felt pity for the poor man. He seemed confused and frightened. Someone needed to provide explanations, especially since Chaos clearly wouldn't.

However, before she could say anything, Hermes was quicker. In a swift motion, he placed himself in front of the man, grabbing his hands in his own, and with a carefree laugh, said:
"Hello, new friend! You seem a bit confused. How about letting me, Hermes, guide you through what's going on?"

For some reason, the sight of Hermes made the man stop. In his eyes, a glimmer of recognition appeared.

"Troy!?" he asked/exclaimed, much to the god's confusion.
"Oh, thank God you're here! Where are we? Who are these people and... monster?" he said quickly, his voice filled with confusion, panic, and a touch of caution as he referred to Scylla.

But before Hermes could respond, the man focused on the god again, his gaze scanning Hermes from head to toe.
"And what are you wearing? Why are you cosplaying Hermes?"

Hermes blinked, confused, with no idea what "cosplay" meant. But then understanding dawned, and he couldn't help but grin in amusement. The situation was absolutely hilarious, and he was clearly enjoying it. The wings on his feet fluttered cheerfully, causing his flight to become a bit more erratic.

Regaining control, Hermes said with a mischievous expression:
"Oh, darling, you won't believe this. But first, why don't you introduce yourself? I'm sure that might help you adjust a bit better."

As he spoke, Hermes exchanged a meaningful glance with Athena, subtly nodding his head.

Athena returned the gesture, confirming his suspicions. The moment the mortal had arrived, she and Hermes had noticed something peculiar: his soul was eerily similar to Odysseus's. Of course, it could have been an extraordinary coincidence, but they needed proof. Hermes took the lead to be sure.

Now, it all made sense. Their suspicions were confirmed: this man was the reincarnation of Athena's pupil.

Even with Hermes at his side, the man seemed unable to form words. Chaos, sensing the discomfort, decided to step in.
"Alright, everyone, leave this to me. I should have introduced him earlier," he said, clearing his throat before continuing. "This is Jorge Rivera-Herrans, the creator of this musical and the one who received divine visions of your lives."

"Divine visions?" Jorge asked, the confusion evident in his voice. "What does that even mean? And where is this voice coming from? Is it from those speakers?" He looked around, searching for some logical explanation. "And I still don't know who any of you are."

Jorge was usually a calm and laid-back person, but this situation was utterly insane. Or maybe it was a dream?

"No, it's not a dream, dear."

Jorge froze, staring at "Troy"—or the man who looked like him—with a mix of awe and fear. Had he just read his mind?

"No," Hermes replied, a playful smile dancing on his lips. "Your expression just says it all."

Hermes's tone was filled with amusement, and judging by the tremor in his shoulders, he seemed on the verge of bursting into laughter.

Athena let out a deep sigh, visibly annoyed. It appeared that Hermes, as usual, was dragging the situation out for his own entertainment. If order were to be restored, it would have to be by her hand.

"Enough, Hermes," Athena said, her voice firm and authoritative. "Let me explain to the mortal what's happening."

"'Mortal?'" Jorge repeated, confused, his whisper barely audible as he tried to process the word.

Athena ignored him, focusing on the more pressing matter: bringing clarity to the man's mind and resolving the chaos that Hermes seemed to be enjoying far too much.

"I'll try to explain simply. You wrote a musical recently, correct?" Athena asked. Jorge nodded, still trying to follow. "Well, the ideas for that musical came from visions granted by a god about the past."

"Wait, wait, wait!" Jorge interrupted, clearly in shock. To him, it felt like his world had just flipped upside down—and maybe it had, Athena realized. "You're saying... it's all real?"

When the goddess nodded calmly, he crossed his arms and said, "Prove it."

"Fair," Athena thought. She could respect the mortal's desire for certainty in such an unusual situation. With a small shrug, her form began to shift. Where once stood an imposing woman, now there was a large owl, its feathers shimmering with silver tones and its deep, penetrating eyes watching him closely.

Jorge's jaw dropped. Before he could say a word, Athena returned to her original form, looking at him with the same unyielding gaze as before. "Satisfied?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Jorge nodded slowly, still stunned. "Alright," he said, trying to gather his thoughts. "But... why are all of you here? And why am I here too?"

Athena sighed, crossing her arms. "This is going to take a while," she muttered to herself, already preparing for the lengthy explanation ahead.

Athena explained the situation as best she could, with Chaos occasionally chiming in to fill in the gaps. By the end, the mortal seemed thoughtful, like someone who had just pieced together a complex puzzle.

"So, which saga are you in now?" Jorge finally decided to move on. He could process everything later during breaks.

"We're about to begin the Cyclops saga," Chaos replied, his voice tinged with excitement.

Jorge glanced at the crew, hesitation in his gaze. "They...?" He left the question hanging as his hand instinctively reached toward something brushing against his leg.

Odysseus shook his head, understanding exactly what the man was trying to ask—and not liking the thought. He had remained silent until now, closely observing Jorge. The man was eerily similar to him: the same voice, the same face, with only slight differences. Odysseus recalled a conversation with Athena, where she mentioned that mortals could reincarnate, and in rare cases, a reincarnation could be strikingly similar to their previous life. He began to wonder if this was the case with Jorge.

Odysseus's gaze shifted to the man's leg, where something seemed to be moving. He was torn between hesitation and amusement.

"Oh no," Jorge murmured as he finally realized what his hand was touching. Looking down, his heart nearly stopped upon seeing a massive, monstrous head staring at him with curiosity.

Noticing it had been discovered, one of Scylla's heads coiled lightly around Jorge and, with a surprisingly gentle motion, pulled him toward a chair that had appeared beside her. The head deposited him onto the seat and lazily draped itself over the armrest, looking at him with an almost expectant expression.

Jorge, his hands trembling, began to pet the head again, unsure of what else to do, while his panicked gaze shot toward Odysseus.

Odysseus merely gave him a sympathetic look, clearly struggling to suppress his laughter. The betrayed expression Jorge shot back was almost comedic.

Jorge might have said something more, but at that moment, the screen in the room lit up, and the word "Polyphemus" appeared in large, glowing letters.

Over here

Inside the cave, a few sheep grazed calmly beside crates of food. Without warning, Odysseus raised his bow and fired an arrow, striking one of the sheep.

The sudden sound made several people in the room flinch slightly, though none would admit it aloud. The shot was so abrupt it caught everyone by surprise!

Eurylochus, for his part, instinctively placed a hand on his chest, trying to calm his racing heart. He quickly hid it, glancing around to ensure no one—especially his wife—had noticed his reaction. Being caught off guard by something so simple would be a blow to his pride.

However, he couldn't ignore the peculiar sound coming from one of Scylla's heads. A gurgling laugh escaped it as its eyes locked directly onto Eurylochus, as if it had noticed his brief moment of vulnerability.

Eurylochus averted his gaze, determined to ignore both the laughter and the embarrassment he felt.

Look at all this food!
Look at all these sheep!
I can't believe this cave has all this for us to keep!

Polites, Eurylochus, and Odysseus were the first to enter the cave, followed closely by the rest of the main ship's crew, who could be seen in the distance.

The men were divided. Some displayed enthusiasm and relief at the sight of the supplies—an abundance of food and sheep grazing peacefully. It was a blessing in times of scarcity. Others, however, were skeptical, casting wary glances around. After all, why was all that food just sitting there, seemingly unguarded?

Odysseus felt a growing unease. He knew he should have paid more attention to the details around them. Everything suggested that the cave was already occupied, but for some reason, he had ignored his instincts.

I've gotta hand it to you both
This is quite the treat
There are enough sheep here to
Feed the entire fleet

Eurylochus walked through the cave, examining the supplies scattered around the place.

Unlike his on-screen counterpart, who seemed focused solely on the food, Eurylochus viewed the situation from another perspective. He found the scene strange, but it seemed that the hunger caused by the long days at sea had led his on-screen version to neglect a basic sense of caution.

Ctimene, on the other hand, shared a similar train of thought with her husband. However, her eyes caught something that made her even more uneasy. The large quantity of food, left so obviously out in the open, could only mean one of two things: either an army was using that cave as a camp, or it was the home of one or more monsters with some level of intelligence.

Neither possibility was favorable.

(Fun fact: I used to think Eurylochus said "Pol" in the first line, as a nickname for Polites, since he does that with Ody, but it turns out it was just a misunderstanding from when I wasn't as good at understanding English.)

It's almost too perfect
Too good to be true
Why would the lotus eaters pass up on all this food?

Odysseus was slightly ahead, carefully examining the cave. His eyes scanned the environment, but there was an underlying unease in his posture, as if he instinctively knew something was wrong.

Penelope, observing the scene, silently agreed with what was likely running through her husband's mind. Even so, she wished she could scold her on-screen counterpart for being so careless. He was cunning and cautious, but in that moment, it seemed like he had set those qualities aside.

Athena, on the other hand, shared similar thoughts, though hers were much more laden with regret. She clearly remembered realizing what was wrong with the cave but choosing not to warn him. At the time, she had seen it as a test of his determination and will.

However, that decision had since become one of her greatest regrets. She now knew that Odysseus no longer needed to be tested—not after everything he had already endured and proven. Athena blamed herself for not fully trusting her pupil, even after all those years together.

Who are you?

A massive eye opened in front of Odysseus, filling the darkness of the cave with an imposing and terrifying presence.

"Knew it," murmured Ctimene, her eyes wide and worry etched into her face. Never in her life had she wished so badly to be wrong.

Telemachus, on the other hand, watched the scene with fascination. Since he was a child, he had heard stories about monsters like the Cyclopes, but he had never imagined he would see one in real life. His curious gaze betrayed a mix of fear and admiration.

Penelope, however, appeared torn between panic and mental exhaustion. "Of course, it would be a cyclops. Why not a cyclops?" she thought, concern clearly etched into her features. It was almost as if the universe were conspiring to test Odysseus over and over again.

Scylla, her restless heads shifting constantly, hissed softly at the screen—a sound that almost resembled worry, as if she recognized the imminent danger.

Hey there!
We're just travelers
We come in peace

Odysseus greeted the cyclops nervously, his voice carrying a calculated caution. Behind him, his crew remained motionless, frozen by the fear that seemed to permeate the air of the cave.

"Good," Ctimene commented, observing the scene attentively. There was a hint of appreciation in her voice. "Keep the situation under control as long as you can. Cyclopes are among the few monsters you can negotiate with."

Odysseus dared not look at her.

You killed my sheep
My favorite sheep

A few tears escaped the cyclops' massive eye, sliding slowly down his monstrous face.

"Ah, great," Ctimene muttered, her voice heavy with frustration. "Just when we find a monster we could possibly negotiate with, this happens." She crossed her arms, clearly irritated, but her gaze remained fixed on the creature, carefully assessing the situation.

Eurylochus, on the other hand, stood as rigid as a statue. Every muscle in his body seemed prepared for an imminent confrontation, but what he felt now was far worse than anything he had experienced in war.

What gives you the right to deal a pain so deep?
Don't you know that pain you sow is pain you reap?
Time to drink your blood over where you stand

The cyclops sat in front of Odysseus, its single, enormous eye fixed on him, observing every small movement.

Odysseus remembered well the sensation of being under the creature's gaze. It was an overwhelming experience that had almost paralyzed him last time. He had barely managed to formulate a plan in time, and the memory brought back tension to his muscles.

So focused on the cyclops, Odysseus failed to notice something lightly curling around him. It wasn't Penelope's arm—she was already busy holding Telemachus firmly, ready to cover her son's eyes if the situation took a dark turn.

On the other side of the room, Scylla let out a louder hiss, a sound that resonated somewhere between irritation and warning at the cyclops' image on the screen. A few people cast worried glances in her direction, uncertain about what she might do if provoked.

Your life now is in my hand

The cyclops extended its open hand in front of Odysseus, a gesture that seemed as threatening as it was deliberate.

"And that is exactly why the cyclops was blinded," Athena reflected, her mind now clearer than it had been back then. She could analyze the events with more objectivity. Odysseus' crew, though guilty of trespassing, had tried to amend their mistake by demonstrating formality and respect once they realized the gravity of the situation.

The cyclops, however, blinded by its thirst for blood and hunger for human flesh, ignored any chance of conciliation and chose violence. Even after receiving gifts, it had tried to kill them, violating the sacred laws of Xenia, which protected travelers and ensured hospitality.

Athena sighed internally. She knew now that Odysseus would not have killed the cyclops; blinding it had been its punishment. However, at that time, she hadn't seen it so clearly. Her blood still boiled with the remnants of the Trojan War, and her own arrogance had clouded important details.

As she recalled the events, Athena couldn't help but feel a flicker of regret. She should have trusted her pupil's judgment more, but, like so many others, even gods were vulnerable to the flaws of pride.

Before I'm done
You will learn that it's not so fun to take
You came to my home to steal
But now you'll become my meal
A trade you see?
Take from you, like you took from me

The cyclops clenched his massive hand into a fist right in front of Odysseus, a gesture that seemed to overflow with menace and disdain.

"He's really comparing human lives to a sheep?" Penelope asked incredulously as she observed the monster's twisted logic.

"Well..." Hermes let out a low chuckle but quickly looked away when he caught Athena's piercing glare. "It was his favorite sheep," he murmured, trying to downplay the comment.

Athena sighed and turned to respond to Penelope in a more serious tone:
"I don't think that's the case. The cyclops has a greater fondness for human flesh. He's not trying to avenge his sheep but rather expressing his interest in devouring the men."

She paused for a moment, reflecting. Poseidon's offspring were notorious for being less human than other creatures, something that, in Athena's opinion, was directly tied to their father's nature.

She didn't like addressing this topic but knew she would eventually have to explain. The domains of the sea were unpredictable, too chaotic to be foreseen or controlled, and this was reflected in the creatures that emerged from its waters.

Athena hoped, with all her wisdom, that this explanation could be postponed just a little longer.

There's been a misunderstanding
We never came here to steal

"Not exactly a lie," Hermes commented with a sly smile. "But, in a way, it still is."

He observed the situation with an amused glint in his eye. Odysseus and his men truly believed that the food in the cave was ownerless, which made them think they had the right to take it. However, ignorance of the owner didn't change the nature of the act. It was theft, intentional or not.

And Hermes, as the god of thieves, knew this all too well. He couldn't help but admire, even briefly, Odysseus's audacity. After all, stealing without realizing one is stealing was, in a way, an art form.

But now that I see we've done some damage
Maybe you and I can make a deal
I'll give you our finest treasure
So long as we leave alive
You can keep the world's best tasting wine

Wine?

The cyclops's pupil dilated with interest upon hearing the mention of wine.

Penelope let out a sigh of relief. Wine was a valuable commodity, and the wines of Troy even more so. No one knew how long those amphorae had been sealed, but there were rumors that the flavor was blessed by Scamander himself. Perhaps, just perhaps, this would be enough to placate the monster and avoid a confrontation.

Have a drink!
One sip and you'll understand
The power that's in your hands

Athena knew this was one of the most important factors in convincing the cyclops. Children with divine blood, no matter how diluted, possessed a natural, almost instinctive, craving for power. The greater the concentration of divinity in their blood, the stronger this need became.

It was something etched into their essence. Divine blood, ichor, carried with it the impulse to seek closeness with the gods who had created them. And to achieve that, power was the key. The more powerful the child became, the greater their chances of attracting the attention of the god who had sired them. It was almost a natural mechanism, an inevitable force ensured by the ichor itself.

The gods were incomparably powerful beings, and this power was reflected in their children in a visceral way, transforming into an almost insatiable desire. Athena, however, knew that many children with divine blood could, fortunately, suppress this impulse. This ability allowed them to live relatively normal lives, far from the pressures and expectations of their celestial heritage.

Thinking about this, Athena felt a mix of relief and concern. This fragile balance between divine nature and mortal choice was something few managed to maintain.

But the cyclops was different. He wasn't just a demigod — he was a monstrous creation of Poseidon, her uncle. A divine child of the worst kind: a monstrous child.

And monsters like him didn't have control.

You'd never wanna eat human flesh again
Then we shall be on our way
No bloodshed in here today

"Unfortunately, that wasn't the case," thought Odysseus, the weight of frustration heavy on his shoulders. If only he had been more insistent, more cautious, or if he had formulated a better plan, maybe — just maybe — his friend would still be alive.

But then, a treacherous part of his mind whispered, like a shadow in his thoughts:
"Perhaps it was for the best. In some ways, he didn't have to witness what you became... nor face Poseidon's wrath."

The idea struck him like a cold blade. For a brief moment, he almost gave in to the cruel logic of that inner voice. But Odysseus shook his head, forcing the dark thoughts away. This wasn't the time for that. He couldn't allow himself to fall apart.

A trade you see?
A gift from you and a gift from me
Ahh
I'd like to thank you
Stranger, what's your name?
My name is Nobody, Nobody, Nobody

Odysseus made a respectful bow before the cyclops, his actions carefully calculated to avoid provoking the creature.

Odysseus turned to Jorge, his expression carrying a mix of curiosity and weariness.
"Was it really necessary to be so harmonious about it?" he asked, referring to the way he had sung in the vision. His voice held a slightly ironic tone, an obvious attempt to lighten the tension with a joke.

Jorge smiled, a small but genuine gesture.

Surprisingly, Odysseus felt his shoulders relax a little. That smile seemed to dissipate part of the weight he carried, even if only momentarily. But in his mind, he knew the truth.

"Damn," he thought. "These visions are not doing me any good."

No matter how much he tried to prepare himself, the anxiety about what was to come kept growing in his chest.

Nobody
For your gift I've one to reply
I'm so glad we see eye to eye
Yes
You shall be the final man to die
What
Watch out!

All around the room, tense and fearful faces could be seen, especially from those who had been in the cave as the screen went dark.

"Here it comes," some thought.

Some timeline context:

Odysseus is from the end of Charybdis.

Calypso is from the beginning of Love in Paradise.

Athena, Hermes, Circe, Penelope, Telemachus, and Ctimene are from the end of Thunder Bringer.

Scylla is from the end of God Games

The Lotus Eater is from before Polyphemus

Jorge is from after the Revenge Saga.

The rest are from the beginning of Full Speed Ahead.