The Cyclops was blind. Bleeding. Begging.

My crew wanted to kill him. Wanted to drive the spike through his skull and be done with it.

But I hesitated.

Then I heard her voice.

Athena.

"Have you forgotten the lessons I taught you?"

She appeared beside me — grey eyes burning, arms crossed.

"He's still a threat until he's dead. Finish it."

"No."

She blinked. "No?"

"What good would killing do? When mercy is a skill more of this world could learn to use"

"He'll tell his father. Poseidon —"

"Then let him."

Athena stared at me like she didn't recognize me.

"I didn't train you to be soft, Odysseus."

"And I didn't learn to be cruel."

She said nothing.

So I kept going.

"My friend is dead. Our foe is blind. The blood we shed... it never ends."

I looked at her.

"Is this what it means to be a warrior of the mind?"

She vanished.

Just... gone.

And I was alone with my choice.

---

I walked to the back of the ship.

"HEY, CYCLOPS!"

Athena's voice echoed in my ear — "Don't!!"

I didn't listen.

"When we met, I led with peace. While you fed your inner beast. But my comrades will not die in vain."

I took a breath.

"Remember them."

Polyphemus turned his ruined face toward my voice.

"The next time that you dare choose not to spare... remember them."

The sea was silent.

"Remember us."

I lifted my chin.

"Remember me."

The Cyclops howled.

"I am the reigning king of Ithaca. I am neither man nor mythical. I am your darkest moment."

I raised my voice so the whole world could hear.

"I am the infamous... ODYSSEUS!"

---

[Haiku]

Athena says "Don't"

But pride moves my tongue to speak

The sea learns my name

---

The Cyclops smiled.

Not a smile of happiness but one which was pain filled and sad. Then he said.. "My father, Poseidon will find you"

The sea began to churn.

And I realized — too late — that mercy doesn't matter when the gods want blood.

But ,

I couldn't take it back.

So I sailed.

Straight into the storm.

Epic the musical : The CYCLOPS SAGA.