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Chapter Text

Odysseus stands on the deck of the ship. He'll be home soon, now that the war is over. Finally, after ten long years of war, he will see his Penelope again. And he will finally be able to see Telemachus! He must already be ten! Odysseus will make sure that once he is home, he won't miss another year of his son's life. "Captain!" He looks up and sees Eurylochus standing next to him. "We have 600 men, and we don't have enough food for all of them. What's the plan?" "We can follow the birds until we find land," Odysseus responds. "Captain!" Odysseus smiles at that voice. He sees Polites has joined them. "Look! You can already see an island in the distance!", Polites points excitedly at a spot on the horizon. Odysseus turns to look, but before he can see what Polites is pointing at, everything goes black.

Alexander was happy for the first time in a long time, surrounded by his new real friends . It was almost time to go home. ‘I might not live to see us win, but I will gladly fight for it. And when they tell this story, they will start from tonight.”, he declares. “Let’s raise a toast to freedom!”, Laurens says, “Something they won’t be able to strip away from us.” “Let’s do another round!”, Mulligan and Lafayette agree. Alexander looked at his friends, proud to be able to call them that, when suddenly, everything goes black.

Penelope wakes up in a strange room. “Telemachus!”, she calls out, hoping he is okay. “Penelope?” a familiar voice asked. Her eyes go wide before she jumps up and cries: “Odysseus!” She runs towards him and they embrace each other, until a boy shyly asks: “Mom? Who is this?” She smiles and turns to him. “Telemachus, this is your father.”, she announces. Telemachus looks at Odysseus in shock and surprise, when finally he joins the hug. When they let each other go they looked around. They see Eurylochus, Polites, and some other members of Odysseus’s crew, along with people in strange clothing. Then they see some gods?! Odysseus drops to his knees to greet them.

The last thing Philip remembers is going to Broadway to search for George Eacker. Now he stands in a room with strangers in weird clothes, until he recognizes his mother. “Ma!”, he calls out while he runs towards her. He hugs her, but when he lets go he sees her staring at him with a strange expression. “Who are you?”, she asks suspiciously. “It’s me, mom!” He feels betrayed. “ Some of you won’t recognize each other, because you come from different times. If you all sit down, someone will come in to explain everything to you.” 

Maddie was really nervous. She had just been finishing her homework when she was transported here. A stranger's voice told her that they had brought other people here to watch their stories. She almost fainted when she saw the list of names. They were characters from her two favorite musicals! And now she has to explain to them what is happening. She can do this. She steps through the door in front of her. 

“Hello, I’m Madelyn, but you can call me Maddie! I’m here to explain what is happening to all of you, but first let’s start by having everyone say their name and what year they come from. I already said my name, but I come from 2025.”

“I’m Alexander Hamilton and I come from the year 1776.” “I’m Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton from year 1780, but call me Eliza” “I’m Angelica Schuyler year 1780” “Margaret Schuyler year 1780, but call me Peggy” “Aaron Burr year 1776” “John Laurens 1776” “Hercules Mulligan 1776” “I’m Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette, Marquis de La Fayette from the year 1776, but please call me Lafayette” “I’m George Washington from 1777” “Martha Washington from 1777” “I’m Thomas Jefferson from 1789”  “James Madison from 1789” I’m king George III from the year 1780”

“I’m Odysseus of Ithaca, but I don’t know from which year?” Shit, Maddie had forgotten that the Greeks hadn’t the same yearcount as they had. “Just say how many years after the Trojan war has ended.” She thought that was the best option, without revealing too much about how long Odysseus’s journey will take. “Uhm, ok? The war ended a week ago.”, Odysseus replied. “I’m Eurylochus. The war ended a week ago” “I’m Polites. The war ended a week ago” “I’m Penelope of Ithaca. The war ended two years ago.” “I’m Telemachus of Ithaca. The war ended two years ago.” “I’m Antinous. The war ended four years ago.” I’m Athena.  The war ended five years ago.” “I’m Poseidon. The war ended five years ago.” “I’m Hermes. The war ended five years ago.”

“Great, now that everyone knows each other's names, I’ll tell you why you’re here. In my time, both of your stories were made into a musical. That is a story through song. We will be watching them together!”Maddie announces, “We will start with EPIC: the musical because we’ll be watching them in chronological order. Any questions?” “Whose stories are we talking about?”, Alexander asks. “Oh, right. I forgot! EPIC will be about Odysseus’s journey and the other one is called Hamilton: an American musical , so I think you can guess who it’s about. Any more questions?” “Wait, but if they can make a whole musical about my journey does that mean I won’t be home soon?”, Odysseus asks, fear in his eyes. “I can’t tell you, because that will be considered a pooler, but you will see.”, Maddie tells him, “Ok, now that that is out of the way I think we can finally start!”

Chapter Text

“The first song is called: ‘The Horse and the Infant’”, Maddie says

[ODYSSEUS]

Alright, my brothers, listen closely

Tonight we make the Trojans pay

Alexander had read the Iliad and the Odyssey, but he thought it was fictional. But here he was, in the same room as Odysseus himself, not to mention three literal gods!  

Ten years of war, they killed us slowly

But now we'll be the ones who slay

Washington had heard about the Trojan War, although he had never read the Iliad. He can’t imagine ten long years of fighting. He hopes that their war wouldn’t last that long.

Think of your wives and your children

Your families wonder where you've been

They're growin' old, and yet you're still here

Do what I say and you'll see them again

“Well, that’s depressing.”, Jefferson says, earning glares from everyone around him.

[SOLDIERS]

Yes, Sir

[ODYSSEUS]

Diomedes will lead the charge

Agamemnon will flank the guards

Menelaus will let our mates through the gates

To take the whole city at large

Teucer will shoot any ambush attack

And Little Ajax will stay back

Nestor, secure Helen and protect her

Neo, avenge your father, kill the brothers of Hector

“That’s a good strategy.”, Washington thinks out loud, while instantly respecting Odysseus.

[SOLDIERS]

Yes, Sir

[ODYSSEUS, SOLDIERS ]

Find that inner strength now ( Huh )

Use that well of pride ( Huh )

Fight through every pain now ( Huh )

Ask yourself inside

What do you live for? What do you try for?

What do you wish for? What do you fight for?

“I like that speech. Can I borrow it?”, Laurens says jokingly, earning a smile from Odysseus.

[SOLDIERS]

What do you live for? What do you try for?

What do you wish for? What do you fight for?

[ODYSSEUS]

Penelope, Penelope

And Telemachus

I fight for us, I fight for us

“You thought about me right before the attack?”, Telemachus asks surprised. His mother has always said that his father loves him, but he never actually knew. “Of course I thought about you. I love you.”, his father replied. He couldn’t believe it. His father did really love him. He couldn’t stop himself from hugging Odysseus.

[SOLDIERS]

What do you live for?

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

Penelope

[SOLDIERS]

What do you try for?

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

Telemachus

[SOLDIERS]

What do you wish for?

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

I'm on my way

[SOLDIERS]

What do you fight for?

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

Attack!

Polites is happy the war is over. He still has flashbacks about this attack and all the others. Luckily there would be no more bloodshed, he thinks.

[ Battle cries and war sounds are heard.

A figure approaches ODYSSEUS and stabs him ]

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

Argh

Who was that?

“What happened? You got stabbed?!”, Eurylochus exclaims, “Why didn’t you say anything and where is your wound?” “No, I didn’t get stabbed. I’m sure they will explain.”, Odysseus calmly replies. This calmed Eurylochus a bit.

[ Thunder, an eagle cries ]

[ZEUS]

A vision of what is to come, cannot be outrun

Can only be dealt with right here and now

“You talked to Zeus?” Eurylochus now wasn't so calm anymore, “You know that is not better!” He was now fearing for his friend’s life.

[ODYSSEUS]

Tell me how

[ZEUS]

I don't think you're ready

A mission to kill someone's son, a foe who won't run

Unlike anyone you have faced before

Angelica tries to imagine what it would feel like to be told by a god that you have to kill someone. She can’t imagine how difficult that would be. She feels sorry fo Odysseus.

[ODYSSEUS]

Say no more, I know that I'm ready

[ZEUS & GODS]

I don't think you're ready

[ A lullaby is playing in the background ]

[ODYSSEUS]

It's just an infant, it's just a boy

Everyone looks at the screen in horror. “That’s awful! You didn’t do it, right?” Peggy looks with pleading eyes at Odysseus. He doesn’t look her in the eyes and makes himself smaller.

What sort of imminent threat does he pose

That I cannot avoid?

[ZEUS]

This is the son of none other

Than Troy's very own prince Hector

Know that he will grow from a boy to an avenger

One fumed with rage as you're consumed by age

[ZEUS & GODS]

If you don't end him now, you'll have no one left to save

[ZEUS]

You can say goodbye to

[GODS]

Penelope

Penelope knew that Odysseus would do anything for her. The moment the gods mentioned that if he didn’t do it she would be hurt, she knew what her husband had done. She leaned closer to him, hugging him tightly.

[ZEUS]

You can say goodbye to

[GODS]

Penelope

[ODYSSEUS, ZEUS & GODS ]

I could raise him as my own

He will burn your house and throne

Or send him far away from home

He'll find you wherever you go

Make sure his past is never known

The gods will make it known

I'd rather bleed for ya, I'm on my knees for ya

We're bringing you down on your knees for ya

I'm begging please

Oh, this is the will of the gods

Mulligan doesn’t understand why the gods would want Odysseus to do such a horrible thing. He’s glad he doesn’t have to make such a choice, because he doesn’t know what he would choose.

[ODYSSEUS]

Please don't make me do this, don't make me do this

[ZEUS]

The blood on your hands is something you won't lose

[ZEUS & GODS]

All you can choose is whose

“Why would they ask such a horrible thing?”, Philip asked. Surprisingly, Athena was the one who answered. “Even gods can’t change fate. Sometimes there just isn’t a good option.”

“But did you kill it?”, King George asked impatiently. Odysseus flinches, but wants to answer, but before he can Maddie replies. “You will see in the next song.”

Chapter Text

“The next song is called ‘Just a Man.’”

[ODYSSEUS]

I look into your eyes and I

Think back to the son of mine

You're as old as he was when I left for war

Lafayette knows how difficult it can be to leave your home to go to war. He hopes the war won’t last as long as the Trojan War lasted. He doesn’t know if he can stay away for that long and he doesn’t have any children waiting for him. 

Will these actions haunt my days? Every man I’ve slain?

Is the price I pay endless pain?

Close your eyes and spare yourself the view

How could I hurt you?

That is the real question, isn’t it? Martha Washington had always thought she would do anything for her loved ones, even more so if she had a child, but would she be able to kill someone else’s child? She looks around and sees that she isn’t the only one wondering what they would do. Odysseus, on the other hand, tries to hide behind Penelope, as if letting go would make her disappear.

I'm just a man who's trying to go home

Even after all the years away from what I’ve known

I'm just a man who's fighting for his life

Deep down I would trade the world to see my son and wife

I'm just a man

That is the reality of war. Washington knows this all too well. And the innocents are the ones to pay the price. 

But when does a comet become a meteor?

When does a candlе become a blaze?

Whеn does a man become a monster?

Peggy is on the edge of her seat. She isn’t sure what is happening, but those questions don’t promise something good happening.

When does a ripple become a tidal wave?

When does the reason become the blame?

When does a man become a monster?

[ODYSSEUS, SOLDIERS ]

When does a comet become a meteor?

When does a candle become a blaze? Forgive me

Eliza’s eyes widen. “You aren’t going to… ?” She trails off. She is hoping with all her heart he isn’t going to do what she thinks he is doing, but deep down she knows that he chose already some time ago.

When does a man become a monster?

 Forgive me

When does a man become a monster? Forgive me

I’m just a man

Everyone looks at the screen in horror and shock while the bundle falls to the ground. It stays silent for what feels like an eternity, the only sound being the quiet sobs of Odysseus. “Why didn’t you tell us?”, Polites quietly breaks the silence. “I wanted to forget.”, Odysseus whispers. After a while, Leila hesitantly asks, “Are you ready for the next song or do you need more time?”

“Just… go ahead”, Odysseus responds without looking up.

Chapter Text

“The next song is called ‘Full Speed Ahead’”

[ODYSSEUS, SOLDIERS , (ALL)]

Six hundred men

Six hundred men under my command

“All soldiers survived?”, Penelope asks with an incredulous look. Odysseus simply nods. The revolutionaries look at Odysseus with even more respect than they did at the beginning. Even Jefferson, who hasn’t seen the atrocities of war, knows how hard it is to stay alive, but to keep six hundred men alive over the course of ten years of war? Odysseus must be a genius and incredibly lucky.

With only one goal in mind

Make it back alive to our homeland

Six hundred men, six hundred miles of open sea

But the problem's not the distance

It's what lies in between

And Ithaca's waiting

  Ithaca's waiting

My kingdom is waiting

The kingdom is waiting

Penelope's waitin' for me

So full speed ahead, full speed ahead

When they introduced themselves, Hamilton recognized some of theGreeks’ names. He had read the Iliad and the Odyssey, but at first, he simply couldn’t believe it. Now, he refuses to tell them how long the journey truly lasts, not just to avoid angering the beings who brought them here with such a massive spoiler, but also because he  can’t bear to be the one delivering such devastating news. He knows they will suffer more than enough already and he won’t be the one to add to their burden.

[EURYLOCHUS

, SOLDIERS ]

Captain Eurylochus

Six hundred men Six hundred men

Six hundred men with big mouths to feed

And we've run out of supplies to eat

Curse the war, our food store's deplеted

“I think this is right before the moment we came from.”, Polites states. Eurylochus nods. 

Six hundred men Six hundrеd men

Six hundred reasons to take what we can

So Captain, what's the plan?

Captain, what's the plan?

[ODYSSEUS, SOLDIERS , (ALL)]

Watch where the birds fly Watch where the birds fly

They will lead us to land They will lead us to land

There we'll hunt for food, my (second in command)

“That’s a good plan.”, Madison thinks out loud. 

Now full speed ahead

[EURYLOCHUS, EURYLOCHUS & SOLDIERS , (ODYSSEUS)]

We're up, we're off, and away we go

We're up, we're off, and away we go (Full speed ahead)

We're up, we're off, and away we go

[ POLITES ]

Captain

[ODYSSEUS]

Polites

[POLITES]

Look! There in the distance, I see an island

I see a light that faintly glows

Maybe they're people lighting a fire

Maybe they'll share some food, who knows?

[ODYSSEUS]

Something feels off here, I see fire but there's no smoke

He must be very observant, Angelica thinks. She doesn’t think she would’ve caught that. She wonders what could be such a bright light source that it can be seen from miles away and isn’t fire.

[EURYLOCHUS]

I say we strike first, we don't have time to waste

So let's raid the place and—

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

No

[ODYSSEUS]

Polites, gear up, you and I'll go ahead

[POLITES]

You and I'll go ahead

[ODYSSEUS]

We should try to find a way no one ends up dead

Leila knows the story all too well, but she always thought it was fiction. Now those people are sitting next to her and she has the chance of getting to know them, she is afraid that the tragic moments will hit even harder than the first time. She knows that soon it will all go southways and she doesn’t know how to prepare for it.

[EURYLOCHUS]

We don't know what's ahead

[ODYSSEUS, SOLDIERS , (ALL)]

Give me 'til sunrise, and if we don't return

Then six hundred men can make this whole place burn

Now full speed ahead, (full speed ahead)

Full speed ahead

We're up, we're off, and away we go

We're up, we're off, and away we go

Full speed ahead

We're up, we're off, and away we go

We're up, we're off, and a—

(Full speed ahead)

“That was actually a very nice and happy song after the first two.”, says Madison, “I hope it will stay like this for a while.”

Chapter Text

“This song is called ‘Open Arms’”

[ Jungle sounds ]

“So they are already on the island.”, Laurens states. The others nod in agreement. 

[POLITES]

You can relax, my friend

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

Huh?

[POLITES]

I can tell you're getting nervous

So do yourself a service

And try to relax, my friend

[ODYSSEUS]

I'm fine, Polites

“Why do you keep dismissing your pain? You could have told me.” Polites is still a bit hurt that Odysseus didn’t tell them right away, but now, even when they are alone, he still does not tell him, despite them being best friends.

[POLITES]

Think of all that we have been through

We'll survive what we get into

I know that you're tired of the war and bloodshed

Tell me, is this how we're supposed to live?

Look at how you grip your sword, enough said

Mulligan can tell through that line that, even though Polites has some naïve philosophies, he isn’t naïve himself and is very aware of his surroundings. And the lyrics show that Polites knows Odysseus very well.

Why should we take when we could give?

You can show a person that you trust them

When you stop and lower your guard

Here we havе a chance for some adjustment

Givе it a try, it's not that hard

I'm telling you

This life is amazing when you greet it with open arms

Burr doesn’t understand how Polites stays so positive, even after ten years of war. Their war started not that long ago, but the war will last at least a few more years and he has already seen enough to struggle to sleep. He knows the nightmares will hunt them for the rest of his life. Maybe he’ll talk to Polites when there is a pauze to ask him how he does it.

Whatever we face, we'll be fine if we're leading from the heart

No matter the place, we can light up the world

Here's how to start

Greet the world with open arms

Greet the world with open arms

[LOTUS EATERS, spoken]

Welcome

Everyone jumps up at the sudden shift in the music. The light atmosphere is suddenly gone, replaced by tension. 

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

Stay back

[LOTUS EATERS, spoken]

Stay back

[POLITES]

My friend, greet the world with open arms

[ODYSSEUS]

We're only here for food

[LOTUS EATERS, spoken]

Food

Telemachus finds the little mysterious creatures cute. He is inclined to ask his father to take one with him.

[ODYSSEUS]

Six hundred friends are waiting for us to show our faces

[LOTUS EATERS, spoken]

Food

[ODYSSEUS]

Stay back, I'm warning you

[LOTUS EATERS, spoken]

Food (Num num num)

[ODYSSEUS]

If we don't get back safely

My men will turn this place into blazes

[LOTUS EATERS, spoken]

Here you go

The fruit the creatures offer is a kind Penelope has never seen before. It worries her a bit, because if Odysseus is far enough to find new fruits, then it will take him a long time to come home.

[POLITES]

See? This life is amazing when you greet it with open arms

Whatever we face, we'll be fine if we're leading from the heart

No matter the place, we can light up the world

Here's how to start

Greet the world with open arms

Greet the world with open arms

Even after listening to EPIC so many times, it is still hard for Leila to hear this song. She tries not to let it show on her face, even if she isn’t sure she succeeds. 

[ODYSSEUS]

My friend, I wish that I could say that I agree

But look at the way this fruit is glowing

And filled with glowing seeds

It took me a while to notice just what kind of fruit they eat

It's a lotus, it controls your mind and never lets you free

That's what we'd get with open arms

Angelica is relieved. She thought she was being paranoid when she didn’t trust the fruit the creatures offered. It seemed odd, but she couldn’t understand why. Now she knows it isn’t just her mind playing tricks on her.

[POLITES]

Lotus eaters, I'd like to show my friend that kindness is brave

Could you tell me where there's other food to eat?

[LOTUS EATERS, spoken]

The cave (Scary cave)

“Did one of them say ‘scary cave’?” Eurylochus dares to swear he heard that, but no one else looks like they heard it. Is he starting to imagine things? “Yes, you heard that right.”, Leila responds. Most of the other people in the room look surprised.

[POLITES]

A cave! You're saying there's a cave where we could feast?

And where do we sail to find this food-filled cave?

[LOTUS EATERS, spoken]

East (That way)

[POLITES, spoken]

Thank you

[LOTUS EATERS, spoken]

Welcome

Telemachus finally finds enough courage to ask his father. He turns to him and asks, “Can you take one with you? They are so cute!” Odysseus’s eyes soften immediately when they land on Telemachus. “I will ask if one of them wants to come with us, okay?”, he responds. “Okay!” Satisfied, Telemachus returns to his earlier position.

[POLITES]

This life is amazing when you greet it with open arms

I see in your face, there is so much guilt inside your heart

So why not replace it and light up the world?

Here's how to start

Greet the world with open arms

Greet the world with open arms

[ODYSSEUS]

Greet the world with open arms

[POLITES]

You can relax, my friend

Polites is glad that Odysseus is finally starting to listen to him. He is already trying for so long to convince him of some of his ideologies. He hopes it will help them on their journey.

Chapter Text

“The next song is called ‘Warrior of the Mind’”

[ATHENA]

Have you forgotten the lessons I taught you?

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

Athena

Antinous is taken aback by the appearance of the goddess. He knows Odysseus is a skilled man, but favored by one of the gods? Even better, one of the Olympian gods? This is the first time he is questioning if it was a good idea to try and take the throne. If Odysseus is favored by Athena, then there is still a chance he is alive.

[ATHENA]

Have you forgotten to turn off your heart?

This is not you

I see you changing from how I've designed you

Have you forgotten your purpose? Let me remind you

Eliza gets a bit uncomfortable with the choice of words. She doesn’t like how the goddess refers to Odysseus as if he is merely an object she owns. It also makes her wonder how long she has been training him.

Goddess of wisdom, master of war

My life has one mission, create the greatest warrior

I had a challenge, a test of skill

A magic boar only the best could kill

One day a boy came for the thrill

A boy whose mind rivaled the boar's own will

Athena thinks back to the years she trained Odysseus. She misses him, even though she’ll never say that out loud. She begins to regret her decision to leave him, but she can’t change the past. The only thing she can do is hope Odysseus will survive without her.

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

Let's go!

[ATHENA]

Maybe one day he'll follow me

And wе'll make a greater tomorrow

Thеn they'll see

 I know he'll change the world

'Cause he is a warrior of the mind

Maybe one day I'll reach him

And we can build his skills as I teach him

If there's a problem, he'll have the answer

He is a warrior of the mind

John Laurens sees the parallels with their time. They literally started a war to change their world. He does worry a bit for Odysseus, because changing the world on your own, with or without the help from a goddess, is impossible. 

[ODYSSEUS]

Show yourself

I know you're watching me

Show yourself

I can see you

[ATHENA]

How can you see through my spell?

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

Haha! I was lying and you fell for my bluff

Hahahaha

“You lied to a goddess?!”, Eurylochus exclaims in disbelief. To his surprise Athena is the one that answers him. “Yes, he did and he did while knowing I was one.” She has a smile on her face. Eurylochus is dumbfounded that the goddess isn’t angry. 

[ATHENA]

Well done, enlighten me, what's your name?

[ODYSSEUS]

You first, and maybe I'll do the same

[ATHENA]

Nice try, but two can play this game

[ODYSSEUS, ENSEMBLE , ODYSSEUS & ENSEMBLE]

Nah, don't be modest, I know you're a goddess

So let's be honest, you are Athena ( Athena )

Badass in the arena

Unmatched, witty, and queen of

The best strategies we've seen

Angelica finds it an interesting exchange. It is almost cute how Odysseus idolized Athena when he was younger. It also says a lot about Odysseus’s character. She catches herself forgetting that Odysseus is a real person, sitting in the same room as she is, and not a fictional character. She also struggles with the idea that there are two gods present. Her whole life, she had believed in God, and now not only is she being told that He doesn’t exist, but that there are hundreds of gods who do. And she is interacting with them.

[ATHENA]

If you're looking for a mentor

I'll make sure your time's well spent

[ODYSSEUS]

Sounds like a plan, goddess and man, bestest of friends

[ATHENA, spoken]

We'll see where it ends

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

Okay

Eurylochus can’t believe that his best friend not only lied to a goddess but then also tried to befriend her. He thinks he’ll need to educate Odysseus on how to interact with a deity, because it’s clear Odysseus has no idea how to do so.

[ATHENA]

Maybe one day they'll follow me and we'll

[ATHENA & ODYSSEUS]

Make a greater tomorrow

Then they'll see I know we'll change the world

'Cause we are the warriors of the mind

Maybe one day we'll reach them

And we can build their skills as we teach them

If there's a problem, we'll have the answer

We are the warriors of the mind

Peggy finds them a lovely duo. She hopes this will stay for the rest of the musical, but from the look of Athena, she highly doubts it.

[ATHENA]

I still intend to make sure you don't fall behind

Don't forget that you're a warrior of a very special kind

You are a warrior of the mind

Don't disappoint me

“Why did they end that song with such a line?”, Jefferson asks no one in particular. “Because that sums Athena pretty well up.”, Hermes says with a grin. Athena shoots him a deadly glare.

Chapter Text

“We just finished the Troy Saga. We’ll continue with the second saga. The first song is called ‘Polyphemus’.”, Leila announces. 

[ The bleating of a sheep and the twang of a bowstring ]

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

Over here

[POLITES]

Look at all this food, look at all these sheep

I can't believe this cave has all this for us to keep

“Why would there be sheep in a cave?”, Madison asks with a confused look. “And so many? Why don’t they go outside?”

[EURYLOCHUS]

I've gotta hand it to you both, this is quite the treat

There are enough sheep here to feed the entire fleet

“Enough sheep for six hundred men?! How many would that be?”, Laurens exclaims. “That is at least two hundred sheep. What do they eat?”

[ODYSSEUS]

It's almost too perfect, too good to be true

Why would the lotus eaters pass up on all this food?

[POLYPHEMUS, spoken]

Who are you?

Everyone jumps at the unexpected sound of a distorted voice. Telemachus tries to hide behind his mother.

[ Polyphemus appears ]

“What kind of nightmare creature is this?”, Burr asks the Greeks. “You don’t know what a cyclops is?!”, Antinous asks, incredulous. Burr shakes his head. 

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

Hey there

We're just travellers

We come in peace

[POLYPHEMUS]

You killed my sheep, my favoritе sheep

Of course, Penelope thinks bitterly, they would have the worst luck. She hopes Odysseus will find a clever way out of this situation without people getting killed. 

What gives you the right to deal a pain so deep?

Don't you know that pain you sow is pain you rеap?

Time to drink your blood over where you stand

Your life now is in my hand

Before I'm done, you will learn that it's not so fun to take

You came to my home to steal

But now you'll become my meal

A trade, you see? Take from you like you took from me

Jefferson finds himself unwillingly feeling sorry for Polyphemus. He thinks he would act the same if someone broke into his home and killed his pet.

[ODYSSEUS]

There's been a misunderstanding

We never came here to steal

But now that I see we've done some damage

Maybe you and I can make a deal

I'll give you our finest treasure, so long as we leave alive

You can keep the world's best tasting wine

[POLYPHEMUS, spoken]

Wine?

Mulligan finds it a bit funny that such a terrifying creature could be persuaded with wine. Then again, who wouldn’t be persuaded by alcohol?

[ODYSSEUS]

Have a drink

One sip and you'll understand

The power that's in your hands

A wine so fresh, you'd never wanna eat human flesh again

Then we shall be on our way, no bloodshed in here today

A trade, you see? A gift from you and a gift from me

Penelope glances at her husband, a puzzled look in her eyes. She wonders what trick he has come up with.

[POLYPHEMUS]

Ah, I'd like to thank you

Stranger, what's your name?

[ODYSSEUS]

My name is Nobody, Nobody, Nobody

[POLYPHEMUS]

Nobody, for your gift I've one to reply

“He fell for that? How?!”, Lafayette exclaims.

[ODYSSEUS]

I'm so glad we see eye to eye

[POLYPHEMUS]

Yes, you shall be the final man to die

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

What?

Watch out!

“Why did it stop?”, Telemachus asks. “Because that’s the end of the song.”, Leila answers.

Chapter Text

“The next song is called ‘Survive’.”

[ENSEMBLE]

Polyphemus

[ POLYPHEMUS screams ]

[ENSEMBLE]

Polyphemus

Alexander knows how this interaction will go, he has read it many times, but seeing and hearing it is a completely different experience. Not to mention, he knows it’s not fiction anymore. He looks around and sees the fear he feels reflected in the others’ eyes. At least he knows most of the Greeks will make it out alive, but he can’t remember who dies. Then again, he thinks, does it even matter who won’t? He knows who survives to the end of the story, and for the first time in his life, he wishes he didn’t, so he could at least hope they all make it home.

[ODYSSEUS]

My brothers

The rest of our fleet, they wait at the beach

And if we're defeated, they're good as dead

Straight ahead, that is who we're fighting

[ENSEMBLE]

Polyphemus

Penelope is worried. Is this the reason her husband isn’t home yet? She knows that Odysseus has won many battles that others considered impossible, but this isn’t a normal fight and the wits of her genius husband might not work as effective against a non-human being. She hugs Telemachus and Odysseus tightly. She can hear the muffled sobs coming from Telemachus. He must be terrified. She just hopes that the existence of this musical means Odysseus will find his way back home. She refuses to think otherwise.

[ODYSSEUS]

No backup, no chance for support

So draw out your swords

Our foe must be thwarted right here and now

Show me, how great is your will to survive?

Six hundred lives at stake, it's just one life to take

Eliza notices the irony in that phrase. The infant also was ‘just one life’. How many more ‘just one lives’ will be needed to end this journey? She makes eye contact with Angelica. She seems to have catched it as well. If these intense battles happen in this musical, what does that say about their story? Why would they need to be involved in such a complicated situation? How is this even possible? If there will be a break she’ll try to get answers to at least some questions.

And when we kill him, then our journey's over

No dying on me now, defeat is not allowed

We must live through this day

So fight, fight, fight

[ Battle sounds are heard ]

[ODYSSEUS, SOLDIERS ]

Surround him ( Surround him )

Attack from behind, keep distance in mind

And stay in his blindspot and strike his heels

Strike the heels

Show him that we're deadly ( Ha, ha )

John Laurens starts to think that they might have a chance to win. Fifty men, with Odysseus and his brilliant strategies leading them, against one monster seems reasonable. As long as there are no surprises and Odysseus keeps up the great work they should be fine, right? The longer he thinks about it, the more logical it seems. He takes a deep breath to calm himself. No need to worry, Odysseus and his men got this, he thinks.

Exhaust him ( Exhaust him )

Don't let him get close, he's strong but he's slow

He can't land a blow if we're out of reach

Find a breach

Stand up and fight for your lives

[SOLDIERS]

Six hundred lives at stake, it's just one life to take

And when we kill him, then our journey's over

[ODYSSEUS]

Push forward

[SOLDIERS]

No dying on us now, defeat is not allowed

We must live through this day

So fight, fight, fight

Angelica looks around her. She sees all the carefully hopeful faces. It really starts to look like they are winning. But why does she have a bad feeling about this whole situation? She hopes she’s just being paranoid, especially when she doesn’t see the same doubt in the eyes of the others.

[ Battle sounds ]

[POLITES, spoken]

Captain

Polites feels the blood drain from his face. He barely registers the shocked gasps of the others. He knew there was a chance he might die on this journey, but he thought he was safe once the war was over. He feels the warmth of tears on his cheeks, but there's no strength left to wipe them away. He looks around to find the horrified faces of his friends, the apologetic look on Leila’s face and the startled expressions of the rest. He realizes he maybe has a week before this event. A week before he goes to the underworld. At least now he gets a chance to say goodbye.

[POLYPHEMUS, spoken]

Enough

[SOLDIER #1]

He's got a club, he's got a club!

[SOLDIER #2]

What are our orders?

Captain, Captai—

[ POLYPHEMUS kills multiple soldiers with his club ]

Odysseus thought he had succeeded. The thing he dreaded the most after coming back from a war was to crush the hope of seeing their loved ones of some families. He thought that even if he made the biggest sacrifice by leaving his wife and newborn son behind, he at least didn’t have to bring any family such horrible news. Now the fates had taken that away from him too.

[POLYPHEMUS]

You've hurt me enough

Six hundred lives I'll take, six hundred lives I'll break

And when I kill you, then my pain is over

You're dying here and now, escape is not allowed

You won't live through this day, now die, di-i-i—

[ POLYPHEMUS falls to the ground ]

‘What…? What happened?’, Hercules Mulligan says, barely above whisper.

Chapter Text

The room is silent for a long time. The only sound is silent sobbing. Polites can’t stand the glances anymore. He stands up and runs through a door that appears at that moment. He  closes it behind him. 

The moment he’s alone, the sobs are no longer silent. He is going to die. He will never see the familiar shores of Ithaca again. Never embrace his mother again. Never see the faces of his sister and little brother again. He also knows Odysseus will feel guilty about his death and will never stop blaming himself.

In the main room, it is still silent. Eurylochus doesn’t want to believe what he saw. He wants to call the one who made this a liar, but he knows it won’t help. He always knew there was a chance he or one of his friends would die, but he had hoped that Polites would survive. He’s such a bright light in this dark world, but the brightest lights draw the darkest shadows.

Odysseus can’t move. He stares at the now dark screen. He feels the fear and guilt creep beneath his skin. There has to be a way he can prevent this. There has to be. He refuses to think otherwise. Why did they trust those lotus eaters? Why did they kill that sheep? Why didn’t he think of a better plan? But it hasn’t happened yet. Now he has more time to avoid conflict. There’s no point in mourning someone who isn’t dead yet. He takes a deep breath. He needs to be there for Polites. He looks up and locks eyes with Eurylochus. He sees that he thinks the same. Without saying anything they stand up and walk to the door.

When they open it, they find Polites on the ground, still sobbing. They quietly close the door behind them and walk towards him. Without saying a word, they both kneel and wrap their arms around Polites. They stay like that till he stops crying. 

“We’ll find a way to stop this from happening.”, Odysseus says, “I promise.” Polites looks him in the eyes. “But how do you know we’ll even remember? I can’t imagine the Fates would allow that.”, he says bitterly. Odysseus looks away. “There must be a way. I can’t lose you.”, he whispers. Polites feels guilty. He’s the reason his friends are hurting. He doesn’t know how to comfort them. The silence grows heavy, and he begins to feel uneasy. Gently, he pulls away from the embrace. “Maybe we should head back.”, he says, not meeting their eyes. “Are you sure? We don’t need to rush.”, Eurylochus replies, etched across his face. “Yeah I’ll be fine.” Polites murmurs, more to himself than to the others.

All heads turn as the door creaks open, every face marked by worry and quiet sorrow. Polites avoids their eyes, nearly stumbling into his seat.

"Can we just continue?" he asks, barely above a whisper.

"Um… yeah. The next song is called ‘Remember Them.’"

[EURYLOCHUS, spoken]

Captain, Captain, Captain, Captain!

[ODYSSEUS]

We must move quickly, we don't have much time

He didn't notice I mixed lotus in his wine

Mystery solved. That’s why the Cyclops collapsed.

That’s actually really smart, Mulligan thinks, impressed.

He’s baffled that Odysseus is still functioning after everything that just happened.

He hopes his friends will survive their war, but deep down, he’s always known there was a chance they wouldn’t.

And now, that chance feels bigger than ever.

Mark my words now, this is not the end

[EURYLOCHUS]

But Captain, what'll we do with our fallen friends?

[ODYSSEUS, ODYSSEUS & SOLDIERS ]

Remember them

When the fire begins to fade

For the fallen and afraid

We are not to let them die in vain

Remember them

We're the ones who carry on

The flames of those who've gonе

And our comrades will not die in vain

How? How did Odysseus turn his grief, and his comrades’, into fuel?

Washington has faced loss in battle. Even if it wasn’t as personal as what Odysseus is going through, he knows what it feels like to watch comrades fall.

He’s learned to push through it, he’s done it time and again. But to weaponize it?

That, he’s never managed.

[ODYSSEUS]

I need all our hands on his club

This is how we'rе gettin' outta here

Use your swords to sharpen the stub

And turn it to a giant spear

[SOLDIERS, spoken]

Let's kill 'em

[ODYSSEUS]

His body is blockin' the path

If we kill him, we'll be stuck inside

[EURYLOCHUS]

Captain, where do we attack him?

[ODYSSEUS]

We gotta stab him in the eye

[SOLDIERS, spoken]

Yes, Sir

Antinous is impressed. He knew the old king was cunning, but this is something else entirely. A flicker of fear creeps in. If he thinks like this after such a traumatic event, what will he be capable of if he comes home? No, he can’t think like that. Odysseus is dead. He has to be. Four years lost at sea, no one survives that. If he somehow survives this encounter, there will be another monster ready to tear him apart.

[SOLDIERS]

Remember them

When the fire begins to fade

For the fallen and afraid

We are not to let them die in vain

[ODYSSEUS & SOLDIERS]

Remember them

We're the ones who carry on

The flames of those who've gone

And our comrades

 will not die in vain

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

Now!

[ POLYPHEMUS roars ]

Most of the people in the room flinch at the scream of the cyclops. Even though it looks like they’re winning, Peggy feels strange twist in her stomach. Most creatures don’t live alone. Even if they do, there’s almost always another one nearby.

[SOLDIERS]

Oh, woah-oh, woah-oh, woah

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

Scatter

[SOLDIERS]

Oh, woah-oh, woah-oh, woah

[ POLYPHEMUS roars ]

[CYCLOPES]

Who hurts you?

No. It can’t be. Eurylochus’s eyes are wide open. There can’t be more. They barely survived one. They only did because Odysseus had the time to trick him. He will never make it home, won’t he? He looks at his captain. He seems oddly calm. Has he given up on hope? Why is he so calm? It only makes him more anxious.

[EURYLOCHUS, spoken]

There are more of them?

[CYCLOPES]

Who hurts you?

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

Hide

[CYCLOPES]

Who hurts you?

[EURYLOCHUS]

Captain, we should run

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

Wait

[CYCLOPES]

Who hurts you?

Peggy never hated being right as much as now. Why does Odysseus order them to hide? She hopes he has another trick up his sleeve. On the other hand, no one could have been able to guess things would go this way. She looks around and sees that Eurylochus is on the verge of having a panic attack. Telemachus is as white as a ghost. Poor boy, no one his age should see these atrocious things. Odysseus looks calm. It gives her a little bit of hope. If he thinks it’s going to end okay, then who is she to question it? 

[EURYLOCHUS]

Captain, please

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

Wait

[POLYPHEMUS]

It was Nobody, Nobody

[CYCLOPES]

If nobody hurts you, be silent

[POLYPHEMUS, spoken]

Don't go

That’s just mean, Madison thinks. Even though he shouldn’t feel bad for this monster, he does. This interaction makes him think the cyclops is young and not yet part of the group. If he thinks about this whole situation from the cyclops’s perspective, he understands why he killed those men. Why is he agreeing with the enemy here? He needs to get his thoughts straight.

[ODYSSEUS]

Let's grab the sheep and away we go

[ATHENA]

Have you forgotten the lessons I taught you?

He's still a threat until he's dead

[ATHENA, spoken]

Finish it

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

No

Penelope’s eyes are wide open. What is her husband doing? Why did he say no to his divine patroness? Please let Athena forgive him.

[ATHENA, spoken]

No?

[ODYSSEUS]

What good would killing do

When mercy is a skill more of this world could learn to use?

My friend is dead, our foe is blind

The blood we shed, it never dries

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

Is this what Polites thinks it is? Is Odysseus trying to follow his philosophy? Or is it something cruel, disguised as mercy?

[ATHENA, spoken]

Don't

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

Hey, cyclops

[ODYSSEUS]

When we met, I led with peace

While you fed your inner beast

But my comrades will not die in vain

Remember them

The next time that you dare choose not to spare

Remember them

Remember us

[ODYSSEUS, SOLDIERS ]

Remember me ( Oh, woah-oh )

I'm the reigning king of Ithaca ( Oh, woah )

I am neither man nor mythical ( Oh, woah-oh, woah-oh, woah )

I am your darkest moment ( Oh )

I am the infamous Odysseus

“Why? Why did you give him your name?” Penelope asks, almost pleading. Eliza can see the fear in her eyes. “I’m sorry if this is obvious for you…, but why does it matter so much?”, she asks with a timid voice. Leila is the one that answers her. “In their time telling your enemy your name is equivalent to handing your enemy a loaded gun.” “That explains a lot”, Eliza replies.

Chapter Text

“This is the last song of the Cyclops saga. It’s called ‘My Goodbye’”

[ATHENA]

You are reckless, sentimental at best

That's not a teaching of mine

You've grown soft, your dead friends can attest

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]

Hey

[ATHENA]

Put your emotions aside

Hamilton glares at Athena. How could she say such a thing? Odysseus just saw his best friend die before his eyes and she tells him to put his emotions aside? She is the goddess of wisdom. How does she not understand that that is impossible to do? Does she even know how emotions work? Now that he thinks of it, probably not. But how? He knows she has had many human warriors before. Didn’t she learn even a single thing about humans?

You're a warrior meant to lead the rest

I don't know where I went wrong

But I warned ya, and you failed the test

So now I'm gone

This way, you'll know what your place is

This way, you can't cross the line

This way, when all is over

You'll keep yours and I'll keep mine

This way, you won't disappoint me

This way, you won't waste my time

This way, I'll close the door

Consider this as my goodbye

Odysseus trembles. He just lost Polites. He can’t lose Athena too. She doesn’t mean it, right? He closes his ears, not being able to handle all the losses. He hides his face on the side of Penelope. He feels the arms of his wife hugging him. What did he do to deserve all of this?

[ODYSSEUS]

That's just like you, why should I bе surprised?

Selfish and prideful and vain

Unlikе you, every time someone dies

I'm left to deal with the strain

What's a title that a goddess could lend

If I'll never sleep at night?

I'll remind you I saw you as a friend

But now we're done

Polites already feels guilty, but now even more. First he was the reason for his friend’s suffering, but now also the reason Odysseus will lose his mentor? He begins to cry once more. Now that Athena won’t be watching over them, will there be even more suffering?

This way, you're out of my head now

This way, you won't plague my life

This way, when all is done

You're out of sight and out of mind

This way, you get what you wanted

This way, you can save your time

This way, you close the door and have your damn goodbye

[ATHENA]

You're not looking for a mentor

I'm not looking for a friend

I mistook you for a general

What a waste of effort spent

[ODYSSEUS]

At least I know what I'm fighting for

While you're fighting to be known

Since you claim you're so much wiser

Why's your life spent all alone?

You're alone

Penelope’s eyes go wide. It seems like Odysseus actually hurt the goddess. She glances at Athena. Her expression doesn’t seem to have changed, but the glint in her eyes contains something she hasn’t seen before by the goddess. Guilt, maybe? Or is she just desperate for some kind of compassion from her side?

[ATHENA]

One day, you'll hear what I'm saying

One day, you might understand

One day, but not today, for after all you're

[ENSEMBLE]

Just a man

[ATHENA, ENSEMBLE ]

This day, you sever your own head

This day, you cut the line

This day, you lost it all

Consider this as my goodbye

Angelica hopes this is the lowest point in the journey. She doesn’t know how anyone could survive this journey otherwise. The only problem is that the lowest point usually happens at 80% in a story. “How many songs are there in such a ‘musical’?”, she asks. “It depends on the musical. There are some with only around 6 songs and others who go up to 90 songs. I won’t tell you how many songs this one has, because it will tell you when the end is nearby.”, Leila replies.

Oh-oh-oh

Consider this as my goodbye

Oh-oh-oh

This is my goodbye

Oh-oh-oh

Consider this as my goodbye

Oh-oh-oh

This is my goodbye

After the music dies down, it stays silent for a while. “Is everyone ready to go to the next song?”, Leila asks awkwardly. Most nod.

Chapter Text

“The next song is called ‘Storm’. It's the first song in the Ocean Saga.”

[ODYSSEUS]

These waves and tides have grown in strength and size

Is it nature or divine or a blessing in disguise?

Our home's in sight, this storm's our final fight

Eliza begins to hope that that is actually true. She sees the look on her sister’s face and knows that she is hoping for the same. If Angelica has enough confidence to hope, why shouldn’t she hope for it, too? 

There's no time to die, comrades!

[SOLDIERS, spoken]

Sir

[ODYSSEUS, ODYSSEUS & SOLDIERS ]

Brace for a storm, storm

The likes of which we've never seen before

Brace for a storm, storm

With home so close, we must keep pushing forward

Odysseus can see that that is not a natural storm. He has never seen such a big and wild storm in his life. He sees in the eyes of his onscreen counterpart that he has false hope of surviving this storm. Why do they need to face this just before getting home? Haven’t they been through enough?

[SOLDIERS]

Full speed ahead

[ODYSSEUS]

Head towards the island, but avoid the crashing waves

Tread where the tide is flat and then you will be safе

[EURYLOCHUS]

Captain, we will capsize with thesе waves, our fleet will fail

[ODYSSEUS, ODYSSEUS & SOLDIERS ]

Have them follow my ship, I'll ensure that we prevail

Storm, storm

[EURYLOCHUS]

We're taking too much damage to survive

[ODYSSEUS, ODYSSEUS & SOLDIERS ]

We'll beat this storm, storm

[EURYLOCHUS]

At this rate, we won't make it out alive

Washington wonders how the relationship between the two brothers will develop. Eurylochus is not only doubting his captain, but also his king. And he is doing it in public. Eurylochus doesn’t really have a reason to doubt his brother-in-law, since he seems to be a good king. Washington hopes they will restore their bond.

[PERIMEDES & ELPENOR, spoken]

Captain, look!

[ODYSSEUS & EURYLOCHUS]

An island in the sky

Great, another god, Polites thinks. How many gods will his friends meet before getting home? Why do the fates give Odysseus the chance to lose the favor of another god? He hopes Aeolus will be generous.

[ODYSSEUS]

Eurylochus, grab the harpoons

As many as you can find

[EURYLOCHUS]

What do you have in mind?

[ODYSSEUS]

We're gonna shoot for the sky

[EURYLOCHUS, spoken]

What?

[ODYSSEUS, ODYSSEUS & SOLDIERS ]

Storm, storm

Everyone grab a harpoon and aim it high

Storm, storm

We're shooting for the island in the sky

In the sky

Alexander wonders what Odysseus’s plan is. This scenario is so surreal he doesn’t know what the best move is. But judging from the faces of the Greeks they know what’s going on and it doesn’t seem too great.

“Shall we continue?”, Leila asks.

Chapter Text

Hello everyone. I'm sorry for not posting in so long. Honesty, I don't know when/if I'll post again. My mental health has been pretty much non existent for these past months and I don't know when I will get better (if I will). I hope you understand and if someone else wants to use what I've written, feel free to do so.