We climbed to the top of the floating island. The wind god's palace stood before us — glowing, golden, untouchable.

I walked in alone.

"Aeolus," I called out. "God of the winds. I come in peace."

She appeared — surrounded by her floating island, her flying creatures, her laughter.

"Odysseus of Ithaca. I know why you're here. You want my help."

"I do. My crew and I — we just want to go home."

She smiled. Not a kind smile. A playful one.

"I'll give you a bag. A bag of the winds. It'll get you home. But..."

She tilted her head.

"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. You never really know who you can trust."

She handed me the bag. White. Sealed tight.

"If you open it... the storm comes back. Stronger than before. Don't open it."

"I won't."

"Good."

She vanished.

---

[Haiku]

A bag full of wind

"Keep your friends close," she whispers

Trust dies in the dark

---

I walked back to the ship. The crew gathered around.

"What's in the bag, Captain?"

"The way home."

"Let us see —"

"NO."

They stepped back.

I held the bag tight.

For nine days and nine nights, I didn't sleep. Didn't eat. Didn't let go of that bag.

My crew watched me. Whispered about me.

"What's in the bag?"

"Why won't he let us see?"

"Maybe it's treasure. Maybe he's keeping it for himself."

I heard them.

But I didn't let go.

Not until the tenth night.

When I closed my eyes.

Just for a moment.

And everything fell apart.

Epic the musical— Ocean Saga