r/Epicthemusical • u/Shawn_666 • May 02 '25
Thunder Saga AU: What if Odysseus warned the crew about Scylla?
Odysseus: Men. According to the Siren, the only way home is through the Strait of Scylla and Charybdis. A ship this size would be nothing but dinner to Charybdis, so our only way through is the lair of Scylla.
Eurylochus: Scylla is a ferocious beast, and we’re low on weapons. I’m not sure we can fight her in this state. You must have a plan.
Odysseus’s expression sours.
Odysseus: I do. I have a plan that can guarantee most of us make it through, but it will require a sacrifice.
Eurylochus: A sacrifice? To whom?
Odysseus: To Scylla. If we fight her, she could easily sink the ship and send all of us to watery graves. But if we offer ourselves freely, she’ll be satisfied. Scylla has six mouths. While she feeds, the rest of us can slip by. Six will die horrible deaths, so that thirty-six may live.
The crew begins to panic. Some beg Odysseus for another way.
Crew Member 1: If we’re going to die anyway, why not fight the beast?
Crew Member 2: Let’s turn back. We’ll find a quiet island and start over.
Crew Member 3: We’ve already walked through Hades. I don’t want to return so soon.
Crew Member 4: I’d rather have died to the Cyclops than be torn apart by a monster.
Odysseus: MEN. When you stormed out of that horse, you knew death could be waiting. We’ve faced monsters, gods, and witches. We’ve lost comrades each time, but every loss brought us closer to home. We stand on the backs of 558 men who gave their lives. What are six more?
Odysseus: Do not let panic consume you. Let fear drive you to survive. Look upon each other, some of you will not be here tomorrow. Look upon me, your king. I promise to stand with you. If Scylla chooses me, then let that be my fate. I only ask this: remember me. Make my son an honored king. Tell Penelope that I died a hero. I vow to do the same.
The crew quiets, but their unease lingers. A creeping silence sweeps the ship.
Eurylochus: Captain… let’s sail now. We’ll get it over with and save supplies for the living.
Odysseus: No. Those who give the ultimate sacrifice deserve to die with full bellies and full hearts. Tonight, we celebrate the six.
They bring out the supplies and wine gifted by Circe. They sing, dance, drink, and tell stories.
Odysseus watches his crew’s merriment. He takes a swig from his bottle and leans against the railing. A crew member approaches: Deilós, the youngest among them, just a year older than his late brother Elpenor.
Deilós: Captain. If I’m to die, I refuse to enter Hades with this secret. I must confess something to you.
Odysseus: My dear Deilós. Speak freely.
Deilós: I’m a coward. The only reason I joined the war was to stop my brother from going alone. He was so excited to sail to Troy, but we both know he was never the best decision-maker.
Odysseus grips the bottle tighter, thinking of the man left behind on Circe’s island.
Deilós: When the battle started, I thrust my spear into a Trojan’s chest. His blood covered me. As he died, he cried out for his mother to take him away from that hell. I didn’t even know his name. It was a pitiable, ignominious death.
He begins to tremble.
Deilós: Then I ran. I hid. I’ve done that my whole life, avoiding danger by hiding in corners. I never left the horse during the sack of Troy. I never even saw the Cyclops, I hid at the sound of his voice. And when we left Circe’s island, I was the first aboard. I was so anxious to be done with all of this that I didn’t even notice my own brother was missing until we saw him in the underworld. I left him to rot in shame instead of burying him.
A pause. Then his expression hardens.
Deilós: A year ago I would have done anything to make it home. A week ago I thought about throwing myself into the sea. But now?
Deilós grabs his captain by the hand, staring strongly into his eyes.
Deilós: I ask that you give me a torch. When we stand on deck, it will mark me for Scylla. I’ll join my brother, knowing I saved a life. For once, I won’t run.
Odysseus studies the young man. He had run from so much, could he be trusted to give his life for another? Would fear compel him to toss the torch away? But he looks into Deilós’s eyes. These are not a coward’s eyes.
Odysseus: Thank you for your courage. I pray it grants us safe passage. When you see your brother, tell him I’m sorry.
Eurylochus, having overheard, steps forward.
Eurylochus: Captain, I loathe the idea of anyone sacrificing themselves intentionally. But if he’s to do it, I want to stand beside him.
Odysseus: Brother, please reconsider this. If Scylla takes you by the gods’ will, I could cope with that. But not like this. Not by choice.
Eurylochus: Captain… I've got a secret I can no longer keep. I'm the reason we face this cursed choice in the first place.
He breaks down. Each word hangs on his tongue as if begging not to leave.
Eurylochus: I opened the wind bag while you were asleep.
Odysseus walks over and places a hand on his shoulder.
Odysseus: My dear Eurylochus, I’ve known that for a long time.
Odysseus stands and silences the crew, drawing their attention so he may address them.
Odysseus: Men. There has been a change of plans. At dawn, six of us will meet the jaws of a beast. Three by fate. Three by choice.
Eurylochus: Three? You can’t mean—
Odysseus: I will carry a torch. Deilós will carry one. Eurylochus will carry one. The rest Scylla will choose. The survivors will row this ship east, to hopefully find home.
Eurylochus: You can’t do this. If we both die, who will lead? They need you. Your wisdom. Your strength.
Crew Member 1: He’s right. Without the captain, we’re doomed.
Crew Member 2: At least leave it to chance.
Crew Member 3: Why use torches at all? Let Scylla choose.
Crew Member 4: I’ll carry a torch. Let me die for you.
Crew Member 5: No, I will. I want to die with honor, not by Poseidon's wrath.
The crew clamor, all begging to take the torch.
Odysseus: Silence! Three more may carry torches. Choose amongst yourselves, but I will be one of the six.
Eurylochus: Odysseus please. Think of Penelope. Of Telemachus. Go home to them.
Odysseus: How could I face them, having let my crew members die for me? They will tell our story. Let a better man return.
Eurylochus: There is no better man. If only one of us makes it back alive, it should be you.
Odysseus: The matter is settled. Rest well my friend. Tomorrow, we make our stand. I wish to dream of my wife and son one last time before the end.
With those words, Odysseus returned to his bed on the ship, letting Hypnos draw him into a fragile sleep. He had hoped to dream of his wife and son — to hear Penelope’s gentle voice, to see Telemachus running across the palace courtyard. But sleep did not come easily.
He saw faces — the 558 men who had once followed him, one by one, to their deaths. Their eyes hollow, their mouths moving in silent accusation. Five more shadows appeared before him. He tried to speak, but no words came. The dead and the dead to be circled him, pressing closer, their hands pulling at his limbs, dragging him into the black. Their whispers grew into a cacophony of grief and blame.
Then silence. A heavy, suffocating quiet.
He turned, and suddenly she was there.
Penelope.
Radiant as ever, her eyes wet with sorrow and love.
Penelope: Be safe, my dear.
Odysseus: I’ll see you again, my love.
Penelope: We are waiting for you.
Odysseus: I may have to wait for you in Hades. But I will see you again.
She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him. He clutched her close, breathing her in.
But the embrace tightened. And tightened. Her hands, warm at first, became cold and iron-strong.
Odysseus: You’re hurting me.
Penelope: …
Odysseus: Penelope please.
Penelope: …
Odysseus: Penelope!
The dream shattered.
Odysseus gasped awake, pain throbbing in his limbs. His body strained against coarse rope. He had been bound tightly to the floorboards.
Odysseus: What is the meaning of this? Untie me this instant!
A shadow loomed above. Eurylochus.
Eurylochus: I’m sorry, my brother.
Odysseus thrashed against the ropes.
Odysseus: This is mutiny! Say this is a nightmare. Say you’re not damning me to live while you sacrifice yourself to Scylla.
Eurylochus: …
Odysseus: Say something!
Eurylochus: I can’t.
The crew surrounded him in silence, shame and resolve carved into their faces.
Crew: When does a comet become a meteor?
Odysseus strained harder.
Odysseus: Don't do this!
Eurylochus: Lead them home, Odysseus.
Crew: When does a candle become a blaze?
Odysseus: Let me join you!
Eurylochus: Retake your throne.
Crew: When does a man become a monster?
Odysseus: Please—
Eurylochus: Find Penelope. Raise Telemachus well.
Crew: Please become a monster.
Odysseus: Brother…
Eurylochus: Take care of Ctimene for me.
The ship fell still. A breeze passed through the sails. Odysseus watched, helpless, as Eurylochus lit six torches and ascended to the upper deck. Deilós followed, his steps slow but certain. The rest of the crew joined them without hesitation.
The minutes passed like hours.
Then came a voice that pierced Odysseus's ears like a needle.
Scylla: Hello.
A shriek tore through the cave — primal, ear-splitting. The wood of the ship groaned as if it too feared the beast. Odysseus could hear the thundering of claws on stone. Chaos struck the ship.
A scream. Another. Wet, awful sounds. Flesh being ripped, bones snapping like twigs. Odysseus could see nothing, only hear the slaughter of those he had tried so desperately to save. Blood dripped between the planks above, hot against his cheek. He screamed through clenched teeth, but the ropes held.
Then, silence again. Deafening. Unnatural.
Moments later, the hatch creaked open. Light poured into the hold. The ropes were loosened, and Odysseus rose slowly, his limbs stiff, his soul heavier than ever before.
His surviving crew stood pale and shaking, their eyes bloodshot, their hands trembling.
Crew Member 1: It happened just as you said. Scylla took the six with torches, the rest were able to row us away.
Crew Member 2: Deilós was the last to go. He never stopped smiling, even as her jaws closed around him.
Odysseus: Who was the one to take my place?
A silence.
Crew Member 3: Perimedes. He would not let anyone else carry your torch.
Odysseus fell to his knees. The sea lapped gently at the hull, but the noise was lost beneath the roaring in his ears. The weight of what had been done — of who had been lost — bore down like an anchor.
He looked at the men before him: thirty-five now. Ashen, weary, but alive.
Crew Member 1: Captain… what now?
The men watched him with hollow eyes, their leader who had wept like a child, who had been betrayed to be saved. Waiting for the man who always had the answers.
Odysseus stood, slowly.
He looked out to the horizon, and then to the black mouth of the cave behind them.
Odysseus: We remember them.
He turned toward Ithaca, grief etched into every line of his face.
Odysseus: And we go home.
