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Many of the suitors stood around in a circle, seeing Antinous and Telemachus a few feet apart as they faced each other. They watched with smug and smiling faces, excited as if they were expecting to see Antinous win and beat up the young prince. Telemachus stood in what could be considered a fighting position, though the form was all wrong, leaving open spots for Antinous to hit. Antinous smiled down at Telemachus, a dark and promising look that made Telemachus want to surrender or just run, but he needed to prove a point, he had to be stronger than what these men thought of him..he had to be more like his father, for his mother's sake.
Antinous went for the first hit, he wanted this to last as much as possible, wanting to see the prince kneel on the ground while covered in blood. He striked Telemachus left side, the strong punch almost making Telemachus double over before the fight truly started. The suitors began their yelling, antagonizing Telemachus to fight, to strike, to die. The fight wasn’t pretty, Telemachus did his best to block and stay on the defense but Antinous was much too big and strong, being able to find the princes open spots easily as he practically played around with the lanky young man, throwing him around anytime the prince was too slow to dodge his hits.
Telemachus could feel his body getting more and more sluggish after every hit, he knew the amount of bruises he would have after was something he could not show his mother. He felt ashamed about it, he was meant to protect her, and yet here he was, getting beaten by one of her suitors. He had tried throwing hits but Antinous was just too strong, the man barely even felt Telemachus’ hits. He felt so close to just giving up, letting the suitors make an embarrassment out of him and then limp back to his room so he could hide. Just then Telemachus felt this breeze, he couldn’t tell where it came from but he did know was that a whisper was intertwined with it as it flowed past him. He couldn’t tell what it was saying at first, making him wonder if maybe it was the hits finally having an affect, but then he heard it again, it almost sounded like a laugh, followed by some words “poor boy, need some help?” It sounded almost like the voice was teasing, with an underlying tone of possible concern
Telemachus had no idea where that voice came from, it confused him enough to have his guard down, something that Antinous took advantage of, coming right up to Telemachus, preparing to strike as he raises his fist. Telemachus could feel his body freeze up, he couldn’t dodge or block this hit when the man was so close to him, all he could do was shut his eyes and hope it wasn’t too bad. For a split second he swore he felt someone grab him but it was so quick he couldn’t tell if it was real, all he knew was that the hit from Antinous never came. Telemachus opened his eyes and saw how he was just a feet or two away from where Antinous was and had hit, some of the suitors seemed surprised that Telemachus was able to move away so quickly, while others seemed to be more interested in how Antinous will beat up the prince.
Antinous turned to glare at Telemachus, who was still confused to how he wasn’t on the floor with a bloody nose. Antinous began running up to Telemachus, lifting his fist to try and strike him for real this time. Telemachus was still a bit scared of getting hit but was more prepared, turning a bit to the left and trying to dodge out of the way, knowing he couldn’t block or hit back. Just as Telemachus lifted his leg to run he felt as if his legs and feet got a boost of energy, able to quickly dodge and end up right beside Antinous, who was caught off guard once again by how quick Telemachus was. The prince was just as confused, his speed seemed to be doubled now, yet he didn’t feel any better, his body was still hurting and his legs feel like jelly. He looked down at himself as subtly as possible while keeping a close eye on the angry suitor in front of him.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but as Telemachus looked more closely, he could see a very vague image of wings on the sides of his sandals, they seemed so transparent that no one could be able to see it unless they tried to only examin his feet. Telemachus was surprised to say the least, however he tried not to show it as he looked up at Antinous, there’s a high chance those wings are just his imagination, for now it’s the fight he has to focus on. With that, Telemachus tried getting back into a fighting position, Antinous seemed much more annoyed, the brat having dodged his attacks twice already, though the third time will not be the same.
Antinous decided it was best to humiliate Telemachus by finishing this fight quickly, this brat of a prince deserved to be taught who the real man of the house was. Antinous walked over with a sharp smirk “don’t think that just because you got lucky you will win, boy” he said darkly as he began going for multiple hits against Telemachus’ body. Telemachus wasn’t lucky enough to dodge the first one, letting out a stifled grunt as he quickly back up, once again noticing how quick he was moving. Telemachus decided to use this to his advantage, anytime Antinous tried to hit, Telemachus will easily dodge with this new found speed, it helped him avoid the man’s attacks but he couldn’t keep dodging forever, eventually Antinous will grow tired and do something rash.
Telemachus thought about it and decided to try his own attacks, with his speed he should be able to get close enough to actually hit Antinous. It was a bit risky but Telemachus want going down without a real fight. Telemachus ran up to Antinous with an almost unnatural speed, his fist connecting to Antinous’ back before the man could even notice that the prince was that close. Antinous stumbled forward slightly in surprise, turning with an enraged expression as he tried tackling, which Telemachus was able to dodge before kicking Antinous right in the leg. Some of the suitors began getting even more into it as they saw this fight continue, Telemachus getting some advantage thanks to the speed.
Of course Telemachus’ luck hasn’t always been the best, and it quickly ran out as Antinous gave a swift and harsh uppercut to the young man’s chin, making Telemachus fall back and onto the floor. He let out a small groan “ow” he said softly, he could hear Antinous say something, probably gloating about his win, but Telemachus barely heard it as he slowly got up, he tried to ignore the comments from the suitors as he limped back to his room. While he did fail, at least he didn’t die, and he even got to hit Antinous, he supposes it wasn’t the worst outcome, even though he was sore literally everywhere.
As Telemachus entered his room he stopped as he saw someone in his balcony, playing a lyre? The beautiful melody of the instrument reached the princes ears, the sound would usually put him at ease if it wasn’t for the strange man who was the one making the sound. Telemachus was on edge as he tried to straighten himself up and called out “who are you? And why are you in my room?” Telemachus almost began to wonder if this was one of the suitors he hasn’t been around too much, maybe they were trying to win his favor by playing his own instrument. The man on the balcony stopped playing the lyre, and for a few seconds there was just silence, enough time to make Telemachus even more on edge. Soon a small giggle came from the man, it sounded almost demented yet familiar, like the one he heard when he was fighting Antinous. The man turned and Telemachus realized that the helmet the stranger was wearing had wings on the sides, there was a shadow cast right over the man’s eyes, the inky black and strange shadow hiding away half his face, though the face that was visible was his mouth, which had a bright grin as he walked closer to Telemachus.
“There you are little one, about time, how was your little fight? Did you win?” The stranger said excitingly, eager to know if Telemachus had won the fight. Telemachus felt a bit awkward as he kept looking at the stranger “do I know you?” Was this someone that Telemachus somehow forgot. The man huffed, almost pouring like a child “I’m hurt child, but I understand, you mortals are sometimes blind to see who we are unless we introduce ourselves. I am Hermes” Hermes said with that same grin. Telemachus’ eyes widen as he looked over the stranger, or he supposed god was a better word to use, why is a god in his room? And why is he asking about a fight? Telemachus cleared up his throat a bit, feeling a bit nervous now that he knows he’s speaking to a god “I’m sorry, I didn’t know. Um, I didn’t win the fight, since that’s something you’re interested in?” Telemachus said hesitantly. Hermes hummed in acknowledgment while a small frown was present on his lips “shame, I did expect you to win with that speed, but I suppose we can’t win them all”
Telemachus couldn’t help but wonder if Hermes had something to do with the new boost of speed he felt halfway through the fight “Hermes, why do you want to know about my fight?” Telemachus asked as he got closer, he got a better look at the god, he’s similar to how people describe him, except for his winged sandals, he doesn’t see them on the god. Hermes chuckled again as he looked around the room “Can’t I enjoy watching a little tousle? It doesn’t matter anyways, did the sandals work?” Hermes asked excitingly, Telemachus stood there confused as he looked down at his sandals “what do you mean? What’s different about my sandal?” Hermes sighed, mumbling something about a mortals intellect as he knelt down and blew some sort of sand on his feet. Telemachus didn’t have time to ask what the god was doing before the magic took effect.
The sandals Telemachus wore quickly shifted, the illusion magic having been lifted to show wings on the sides of them, fluttering softly as they got in a resting position. Hermes smiled as he looked at his sandals “there we go, good thing you didn’t mess up my babies, I would have killed you for it” he joked, or maybe he didn’t, it was surprisingly hard to tell. Telemachus stood there in slight shock, he lifted one of his feet and saw the wings react as they fluttered their wings a few times. He looked at Hermes as the god stood up “I didn’t have these on earlier? How did they-“ “don’t worry, you didn’t accidentally steal them, little prince. I put them on you during your fight, I wanted to see how they would act with someone else, and who else to put them on than someone in a fight” Hermes explained as he walked back out onto the balcony “but I do want them back now” he said as he whistled out to his sandals. The sandals whooshed off Telemachus feet, knocking him onto the floor with a grunt as they flew over to Hermes, who gently carried them. Telemachus let out a small “Ow” as he looked up at the god, Hermes slipping on the sandals as if nothing happened.
Telemachus got up and dusted himself off, making his way over to the balcony as well “so that’s the only reason you helped? To test if your sandals work on others?” He couldn’t help but ask, he kinda wished that Hermes was here to help him. Hermes however, only shrugged with a smile “of course, why else?” Telemachus looked out into the kingdom with a small nod “right, why else..” Hermes tilted his head and sighed, patting the princes head “if it makes you feel better, I was rooting for you..you’re a strong young man” it didn’t really help Telemachus, but it was appreciated. He still gave a small smile as he looked up at Hermes “thanks anyways, I mean, I got into a fight and didn’t die! That’s amazing” Telemachus said with some pride in himself. Hermes chuckled, that strange sort of giggle still echoing through the room “yes, that’s impressive indeed” Hermes thought about it for a bit, looking down at the lyre before speaking again “you play the lyre?” Telemachus perked up a bit and smiled “I do, it’s my favorite” he said as he looked at his lyre that was being held by the god.
Hermes nodded as he began to play again “it’s a beautiful instrument” the sweet melody began to fill the room, it was a calm and peaceful atmosphere as the intricate sound continued to be played, Hermes fingers moved through the strings diligently. Telemachus couldn’t help but be in small awe at how the god was able to play so beautifully, he leaned on the railing of the balcony as he continued to listen, Hermes spoke up after a bit “you know, I used to play this song to my children when they were young” Telemachus focused on Hermes shadow filled face “really?” Sometimes he forgot that gods actually had children, some even walking on the mortal realm right now “well they aren’t my children to be exact, more like great children or great great children, but they are still my children” Hermes elaborated as he finished his song “I care for them all, even if they are all growing up before my eyes..” Hermes said softly, it was surprisingly gentle for how the god usually acts. He gently hands the lyre to Telemachus, who holds it with just as much care “I think that’s nice..I don’t know my father” the prince admits, lazily playing a few notes in the lyre “I keep hearing all these amazing stories about him but it just doesn’t feel enough..” Hermes nodded, his smile more softer than earlier, carrying some sympathy. Hermes reached up and took off his helmet, revealing more of his curly hair and his blue eyes, they were almost bright by how they looked. Telemachus didn’t even know if he was allowed to look at the god when he was like this, but Hermes didn’t seem bothered so he kept silent as Hermes spoke next “Odysseus of Ithaca..I’ve heard of him, he was a strong man in the war, and I’m sure he is still the same now” Hermes said as he leaned back against the wall.
“Keep faith in your father Telemachus, I’m sure he will be back soon” Hermes said with a small smile. Telemachus has heard that so many times, from his mother to random maids, yet when Hermes said it, it felt like the god actually knew that his father was alive and coming back, he actually believed those words for once. Telemachus smiled a bit as he played another small melody on the lyre “..thank you Hermes, I appreciate your words” Hermes patted Telemachus’ head again as he put his helmet back on, his eyes being covered once again, “of course, little prince. Now, I have things to do, keep playing that lyre, I bet your father would want to hear it when he comes back.” Hermes said as the wings on his sandals fluttered to life, his body hovering over Telemachus, the prince nodded with a smile as he watched the god fly away “..thank you, Hermes..” he whispered softly.
As Hermes flew he couldn’t help but feel a tinge of guilt, he wished he could do more for the young man, to offer more comfort, but he didn’t want to get too close just yet, he still had his Ody to help, after that then he can be with all three of his children. For the moment, he had to speak with Athena, hopefully she will help out, who was he kidding, of course she will, especially once she sees her student's son. Hermes picks up speed as he heads for Olympus, for now he will have to speak with his father.