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After the Myrmidon army’s spectacular return with the new commander, which was for better or worse his own doing, the situation had changed drastically in almost every front of his life, from tactics, power to performance on the battlefield, for some reasons also including his friendship and the daily routine that Odysseus was used to for almost 10 years.
Diomedes and him were the dynamic duo, the smartest of Greek, the favored of Athene, Agamemnon’s go-to men, and besides being glued to each other by business and fate, they themselves enjoyed each other’s company. Whether it was scheming, sparring, eating, playing zatrikion, drinking, exchanging vital information ( basically straight up gossiping, in which most of the time including Menelaus, sometimes Achilles and Patroclus), in short they always do things together . If someone asks Odysseus of Diomedes, then he will certainly know where the other man is. Until now.
He could see the change begin when Neoptolemus willingly shared the frontline alongside Diomedes the next morning, then the both of them started carving into the Trojan army like two hurricanes moving in perfect synchronization. Sure, Odysseus had never belonged to the very front, so he contented himself in watching them fight, and provided minor aids when they needed, which was non-existent today. And right the moment the battle ended and they returned to camp, he saw Diomedes hurried himself to the Neoptolemus’s side as the teen warrior descended down the chariot like a doting mother checking on her little baby boy. Yet he ignored those signs, thinking it was just Diomedes being sentimental and eager since he saw an equal fighter. He would soon return to normal a few days later and the Ithacan could have his good old routine back.
How wrong he was. Diomedes did not stop doting on the child and the kid himself demanded attention like how baby Telemachus did. A teenager of course did not cry or scream for parents like a toddler, but they sure used the same sulking puppy dog eyes technique. Now if Diomedes was present somewhere, rest assured that the Myrmidon commander was very close behind. He started to take over Odysseus’ usual sitting spot next to the Argive during feats and meetings as well. Yet it was not enough for the teen, Neo always asked for Diomedes to train and spar as well. The fight between the strongest of Greek could drag for as long as anyone can imagine. Odysseus should not fight a child for someone else’s attention, even when that very child could hold his own and even cut his head clean off, he was a grown man, a commander, a king. Or at least that’s what he told himself.
Things started to get on his nerves when their weekly drinking night was cancelled, again. To save the Argive from more troubles, Menelaus and he had prepared everything firsthand: warm food, cozy fireplace, even wine. All Diomedes had to do was show up, and he couldn’t even do just that. Even worse, it was Sthenelus who came to announce his king’s absence by himself, because Diomedes was busy sparring Neo.
“ If he doesn’t come to us then we will bring the party to him.” Throwing the cups onto Sthenelus’ arms and pushing him forward to lead the way, Odysseus angrily made his way to the Argive camp, with a confused Menelaus in tow. On the empty ground in the middle of the camp which was used for training, on which Odysseus himself had spent quite a few times sparring and losing to the Argive, now stood their king and the Myrmidon commander, whose swords were clashing against each other. Both of them fought as if the others were a Trojan whose head needed to be on the ground right now and then. Cuts and bruises bloomed on their arms and legs. He waited until their were in a good distance away from each other then shouted and threw one of the cups toward the king of Argos,
“ Diomedes! Are you forgetting something?”
The Argive king simply caught the cup with his unoccupied hand, then looked up at the three standing outside the training ground.
“ It’s night already?” He asked puzzledly, only for the Spartan king and his second-in-command to sigh in unison whilst Odysseus’ face turned to one of pure shock and anger. His hands curled into fists, whitened the flesh.
“ Are you blind? The sun had set almost an hour ago!” He threw another cup, which aimed for Diomedes’ head. But Neoptolemus stepped in and diverted it with his sword.
“ Respect the king of Argos, Odysseus, or you will regret it.” He raised the tip directly to the Ithacan’s throat.
“ At ease, kid.” Diomedes forced the teen’s sword down, then used his body to block Odysseus from him. “ He means no harm.”
Then he turned to his friend, “ I’m sorry for forgetting the party. We can arrange it on any other day.”
“ This is the third change this month, Dio.” Menelaus reminded him, and then walked inside the training ground to drag the Argive a little away from the group. He whispered quietly as he wrapped his left arm on the man’s shoulders, dragging both of them down a bit to hide their faces from view.
“ Look, I understand your situation but if this is getting on me, then you know how Odysseus is going to feel.” He looked back at the Ithacan, who was having a silent staring contest with Neo, whilst Sthenelus was standing awkwardly beside them, not knowing what to do.
“ He needs you to play opponent again, and I need you to save me from my zatrikion losing streak. I- I can take care of Neo for you for one afternoon.”
“ Neoptolemus is a full fledged warrior, he doesn’t need a caretaker.”
“ Seriously? You’re the one to talk.” Menelaus raised his eyebrow. “ Just consider what I’ve said, OK?”
“ I will.”
The next day, it was Diomedes himself who invited Odysseus for a night of riddle and zatrikion in his own hut, and Odysseus was delighted, finally he could have himself competing against someone worthy. Menelaus had a delightful personality but the same thing could not be said for his mind. As they were drinking and playing, as the candle light around them fickling lightly and the game was at stalemate, Diomedes suddenly asked,
“ What do you think of Pyrrhus?”
Really? Even when the kid was not present, he would still make his way into the conversation, as if his existence had been fully carved into the mind of the Argive.
“ Pfft, it’s Pyrrhus now? Not Neoptolemus?” He asked, but after 10 years, anyone’s mind would be somewhat seen through.
“ The Greek have all seen Neoptolemus but only you and I are the ones who have seen Pyrrhus.” The Argive advanced his pieces, his eyes fixed on the board.
Odysseus did not say anything for a good while, his gaze was on his hand instead, which now moved one of his own to avoid Diomedes’ one.
“ He reminds me of myself.” Another piece cornered his. “ Too young, too naive, too angry.”
“ You two do share a similar fate.” A diversion would do, he moved one piece on his left instead. “ Some of the quirks too, I saw him using his shield as pillow for a nap the other day.”
“ Too scared.” The diversion was ignored, his old piece was still being chased down and then captured. Diomedes picked it up and his eyes were full of sadness,“ I don’t want him to end up like this.” Like me .
The Ithacan king eyes’ gazed at Diomedes, full of surprise, the master tactician of Greece was ready for a battle of the minds, not the battle of the mind and the heart. But the other king paid him no mind, Odysseus watched in helplessness as his pieces fell one by one against the Argive’s ones, and suffered a full on humiliated defeat. Then did he realize that Diomedes was now sitting still as a rock, his gaze never left the board between them, on which only a few pieces of his remained.
“ Hey,” The Ithacan forced his words through his throat, “ He would not end up like that.” Like you.
“ Even when you’re not there, I’ll make sure to keep him safe.” He did not know why, but he thought the other man needed it.
Diomedes jerked up as if his raging storm of thoughts had been blown away, leaving only a clear blue sky behind.
“ Thank you, my friend.”
With two of the prophecies done, they started discussing how to finish the remaining ones. Stealing the Palladium was a one way trip to the Underworld, one wrong move and everything would be lost, yet he and Diomedes was their best chance to make it happen. As they volunteered to go, Neoptolemus vocally objected and demanded to join as well, as his battle prowess would ensure the plan’s success. Odysseus immediately stopped this reckless thought,
“ Commander, this plan is of stealth and cunning, both of which you do not fully master. I understand your concern and eagerness but please stand down. Your appearance only hinders the chance of success.”
“ You dare say I will be a burden if I come?”
“ Yes.” He confirmed, looking at the younger man with determination and challenge.
This only upset the Myrmidon commander even more, the man’s emerald eyes were burning of anger and fury. His leg raised up to definitely kick the table between them away, Odysseus’ arms started to shake, adrenaline already pumped into his system.
A loud slam startled both of them out of their standoff, and his eyes landed on Diomedes’ fist on the cracked table, whilst the Argives’ eyes looked at Neo full of disappointment. The furious commander immediately reverted back to the quiet teenager, but his gaze was now glittering with a mix of anger and hurt, instead of physically bursting out as usual, he angrily shouldered through the other commanders to leave the hut. Only when he was gone did Diomedes let out a quiet sigh of frustration, then recovered his posture as if nothing happened,
“ When will we leave?”
They decided to leave by the middle of the night, and as he was fixing his Trojan disguise up by the gate, Diomedes appeared fully geared up in his own disguise, and he could see Pyrrhus trailing behind a good distance away, but did not dare to come close.
“ Someone wants a goodbye hug.” He remarked sarcastically whilst his gaze landed on the teenager. The kid noticed himself being discovered and growled at the Ithacan like a goddamn guard dog, Diomedes only shook his head lightly. “ I’ll leave you two to it.”
He walked out of the gate and into the neutral ground first, yet stayed close enough to make out what the other two said.
“ Pyrrhus.” Diomedes spoke first, as the teen hesitantly made his way toward him. His eyes fixed onto the ground instead of the other man, no word was uttered between them.
“ I’ll be back.” The Argive said in the end to break the pregnant silence, “ Take care of everyone. You’re the Greek’s strength and pride. Don’t falter.”
The teen said nothing but rushed straight into his arms and clung to him desperately, as if Thanatos would take the other away at instance. He said nothing when they released each other, rather tried his best to keep his tears and hiccups from bursting out.
Odysseus’ throat dried and he could feel an invisible lump blocking it. Would he have the chance to say and do the same thing to Telemachus again? The boy was too small to even remember his father’s face or voice when they parted ways. Would his boy have the chance to experience whatever that kid was having? He couldn’t dwell on the thought longer as Diomedes seemed to have finished his goodbye ritual. The Ithacan tried his best to soothe his face to a neutral one as the Argive turned away from Pyrrhus in resolution and made his way to Odysseus, then both of them launched into the dark of night.
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They ran through the battlefield as if being whipped, as Diomedes was carrying the unconscious son of Menelaus in his arms and the Palladium wrapped on his shoulders, whilst Odysseus was running behind to provide cover. The mission was a big success, with the unexpected help of Helen they managed to find the real Palladium hidden deep under the temple of Athene. The only thing she asked was to bring along this child, the blood son of Menelaus to him. The duo complied.
As they were rushing toward the Greek camp, a thought of Eris entered Odysseus’ mind.
The man in front of you was holding all of your kleos in hand. Look at him, arms holding the son of your friend, shoulders carrying the Palladium, shouldn’t you have one of those as well? Weren’t you the one who captured the prophet? Weren’t you the one who brought Neoptolemus here in the first place? Weren’t you the one who came up with all of this?
Yet he was rewarded as the man who tamed the new warrior, the one who convinced the bow of Herakles to return, and now the one to bring the Palladium, the certain victory to Greece as well?
Shouldn’t you be the one to have all of that? Instead of a man who abandoned his friends?
Slowing down and picking up a rock on his hand, Odysseus was ready to strike. Diomedes was still trying to run as fast as he could with his arms fully occupied and the back of his head was vulnerable. One strike there was all he needed, and all of the kleos would be rightfully his.
The Argive in all of a sudden tripped on a small rock on the way, which tore one of his sandals and bleeded his foot yet he didn’t stop, but rather huffed out a laugh, “ I’m getting old. At this rate, Pyrrhus would defeat me in racing.”
Pyrrhus.
The thought physically halted him in the middle of the run. Odysseus might not have a chance to return to Telemachus, might not have the chance to see him grow up, might not have the chance to race alongside him, to teach him how to raise a bow, to climb trees, to fight. But Diomedes, at least for this night, could return to his little one, and he, Odysseus, the father of Telemachus, the favored of Athene, the friend of Diomedes, dared to think of robbing this chance from both of them. He didn’t spare a second thought on murdering Palademes, who dared to separate him and his little Telemachus, now he was fully intended to do the same thing to one of the few people he called “friend” among this mess of a war. The rock left his hand and fell on the ground, along with Eris’ poisonous whisperings.
“ Odysseus?” Diomedes felt him stopping after a while and the Argive also halted his track, turning around and eyeing his friend worriedly. “ Is something wrong?”
The Ithacan’s head raised up again, his face full of mischief as he braced himself and ran past the Argive, “ Race ya!”
“ What the-” The Argive stood still in shock until he realized what just happened, “ Hey no fair!”
Predictably, they met Neoptolemus sleeping right next to the front gate, the boy startled awake when Odysseus' laugh reached his ears and he immediately gave all three of them a crushing bear hug, then arrived Menelaus and soon the other Greek commanders.
Odysseus took the child from Diomedes, letting him enjoy the kleos, and walked Menelaus away from the crowd, leaving him with Megapenthes and Helen’s words.
This day had come, the final day of war, the night of blood-soaked terror and crimson massacre of Troy as the Acheans killed Trojans after Trojans, whose blood dyed the ground red and whose cries echoed through the night and haunted his mind eons to come. Him, Menelaus and Neoptolemus were the first to burst into the main palace, whilst Diomedes provided them cover on the palace’s steps by forcing the Trojan soldiers to stay away. Menelaus immediately diverted his effort into finding Helen and turned to the other corner, while at the same moment, Odysseus and Neoptolemus tasked them with the job of ending the bloodline of Priam by remaining on their track in the main hall. The new warrior was unnaturally fired up today, as he cut down enemies faster than they could show up. He soon caught up and made a quick slay of the young prince Polites, who was the furthest from them, leaving the hall now full of corpses and reeked of blood.
“ How dare you!?” They could see the old king Priam standing in full armor full of anger, his shaking arm raising the sword pointing at the Myrmidon commander, who was stepping on top of his son’s headless body, “ By the name of Zeus you will pay for this crime of slaying my son, bastard son of Achilles!”
Odysseus could see Neo flinched in anger and fury, he slowly took out his sword which was thrusted deep into the young prince’s chest, and pointed its blood-soaked tip toward Priam.
The battle between two warriors, two equal in fury and bloodlust, yet one’s body was too old to carry the weight of armor while the other was too young for it. One was rotten white of age and sorrow while the other was forced to be ripped red of unreleased animal instinct and youth. He already knew how this would end.
With one clean swipe, the head of Priam was on the ground and his body fell like a sack of flour. The son of Achilles was not satisfied as he stabbed Priam a few more times, until the body was unrecognizable. Yet the nightmarish thing that shook his core in horror and dread was not the scene of murder and blood, but the emerald gaze of the young commander, which then looked back and pierced through his mind. The glowing eyes of a mindless beast, which kills for the pleasure of it, which hurts for the sound of it, which anger will flood the world for the satisfaction of it. Just like Achilles’ ones when Patroclus was dead.
I don’t want him to end up like this. Like me.
Out of the corner of his eyes, he could see a figure running away. A woman carrying a child. The beast’s eyes were locked into her at the same time and it started marching toward her.
He used his own body to block out the view and tried to reason with the man inside.
“ I can finish things up here.” The beast didn’t care, it started moving even when Odysseus raised up his sword, “ She’s just a woman.”
The beast still held control, its eyes gleaming a promise of death if Odysseus dared to intervene further.
“ You gotta find Diomedes. He was down there alone.”
“ Diomedes?” The control of the beast snapped, the eyes of man started to resurface.
“ Yes, Diomedes, he is down there alone, do you want him to die alone?”
“ No no, not alone. Never alone again.” The young warrior mumbled, his arm with the sword fell onto his side.
“ That’s right, now go and find him.” He encouraged with his broken voice, “ Protect him, fight alongside him. That’s what you want, right?”
The warrior nodded and ran away, whilst Odysseus sighed in relief. Yet there was no comfort to be found, he had tasked himself with the most despicable job in the name of friendship, and in the name of a hopeless dream that he might not be able to fulfill.
The grip on his sword tightened and he followed the trail of the woman, onto the high wall of the palace, where he could see her, the wife of Hector, hiding in the corner, her arms circling around a small bundle of life. She screamed as he got near, and tried her best to hold onto her child, but her strength was not enough to overthrow a veteran of 10 years. To save her from the view, he hit her head with the hilt of his sword, then simply gathered the child into his arm from his unconscious mother.
The little one was not even crying or screaming, but looking at him with doe eyes of curiosity, reflecting his own ones which were full of tears. Forcing himself to look away, Odysseus of Ithaca, father of Telemachus returned the blood child of Hector to his arms down in the quiet and cold Underworld, whilst in front of his blurry eyes, the other father and child unbounded by blood were reunited among the sea of fire and the storm of screams.