The heroes returned with laughter in their throats and blood still fresh on their blades.
But all Cyd could see was a disaster waiting to unfold.
"Raise your cups, men!" Jason stood by the fire, wine sloshing in his goblet. "Today, we crushed a giant! The people are safe, and the gods will sing of our names!"
Around the bonfire, cheers erupted. Flames crackled. Someone broke into song.
Cyd, unimpressed, exchanged a look with Atalanta. No words were needed. Together, they slipped to the other side of the ship, where the stars could be heard better than the boasting.
"I'm getting off this ship," Cyd said, his voice casual, but firm. "Next island. I'm done."
Atalanta blinked. Just for a moment. Her fists clenched slightly. "…I see."
"I want you to come with me."
She tilted her head, eyes narrowing with a wind-tousled elegance. "Is that an order, Captain?"
"If it was, would you listen?" he asked with a teasing smile, holding out his hand like it was all just a joke.
Her fingers brushed his. Then she pulled away.
"Aww, touched," Cyd grinned, then turned toward the sea. "But I wouldn't order you. I'm heading to Calydon. Artemis sent a boar. I've been 'volunteered' to deal with it."
"That… doesn't sound like you."
"Yeah, well, maybe I'm trying something new. Stepping into the spotlight, even if just for a moment." He stretched, letting the sea breeze tug at him. "I've been thinking—if I'm going to be dragged into this mess anyway, I might as well walk into it with my head held high."
Atalanta leaned on the railing, her eyes half-lidded, catching the moonlight. "So you've finally decided to act like a hero?"
Cyd scoffed. "If I do become one, I'll never be like them."
"If you ever start acting like them," she said, poking his forehead, "I'll shoot an arrow straight through your skull."
He chuckled. "Good to know I can count on you."
The Next Morning
"I'm done with this quest," Cyd announced, slapping Hercules' shoulder. "I'm just a regular guy. Can't keep up with demigods and gloryhounds. I'm off at the next stop."
"I'm the captain, you know," Jason said with a twitching smile.
"Yeah?" Cyd didn't even glance at him. "Pretty sure if Hercules wasn't babysitting you, you'd be lunch for that giant we 'defeated'."
The silence that followed had the weight of a ship's anchor. Jason's fists clenched.
He hadn't been expecting Cyd—quiet, almost forgettable Cyd—to fire back.
"I invoke the gods," Jason snapped, face red. "I challenge you—"
"Enough." Hercules stepped in, hand firm on Jason's shoulder. "You can't win."
Jason turned, eyes wide. "He's just some clever tagalong! I'm the chosen one. I'm—"
"A hero?" Hercules gave him a tired smile. "So is he. Cyd was trained by Chiron. My brother-in-arms."
Cyd raised an eyebrow. "Wow. You figured it out."
Hercules shrugged. "You don't forget the kind of guy Chiron warns you to look out for. White hair, white skin, a soul that doesn't belong to this world."
Jason looked between them, stunned, like the boat had just flipped upside-down.
"Big talk for someone who couldn't even leave an island without being chased by half its women," Cyd added with a shrug.
"Okay, that's enough," Hercules coughed awkwardly. "You want me to see you off when we land?"
"Nah. You've got more important things to do." Cyd clapped his back. "And hey, if you ever want out, no shame in walking away. Even heroes need to breathe."
Jason's face burned red. The whispers of the other Argonauts weren't helping.
"Cyd," Jason growled. "Get off my ship. Now."
The world went still.
"We're at sea," Hercules said, fists tightening.
Cyd raised a hand like it was no big deal. "Relax. I won't sink."
He lifted his wrist, where a sapphire-blue crystal pulsed gently. "Poseidon gave me a parting gift. I can walk on water."
"You're full of surprises," Hercules said with a grin.
"Thanks," Cyd waved, turning to the edge of the deck. He glanced at Atalanta and winked. "See you in Calydon?"
She stepped up beside him without hesitation.
"I'm coming with you."
Cyd blinked. "Uh. You can walk on water?"
"No."
"Then how exactly—"
"Carry me," she said simply.
He stared. "You serious?"
She nodded. "Very."
"Backpack or bridal style?"
"Back," she said, climbing on without another word.
Her legs crossed in front of him, hands gripping his shoulders. As he stood, she leaned in close to his ear, voice like a velvet dagger.
"Try anything, and I'll snap your neck."
He shivered. "Yup. Definitely feeling the romance."
"See you around," Hercules called with a wave.
Cyd turned back, smiling. "Hercules… I believe you'll be one of the greats."
Hercules nodded solemnly. "And I believe you'll be something even greater."
With that, Cyd stepped off the Argo and onto the sea.
He didn't sink.
The waves rippled beneath his feet, stars above, a warrior on his back, and a storm waiting on the horizon.