ODYSSEUS]
Alright, my brothers, listen closely
Tonight, we make the Trojans pay
"Wait, I thought we were reacting to his journey home, why is it showing a war?" Percy asked.
"Well the Odyssey actually started with the Trojan War," Annabeth replied. "Odysseus was the one who came up with the idea of using the wooden horse to hide out in and jump out of after 10 years of war."
"Ohhh." Many campers commented in return.
Ten years of war, they killed us slowly
But now we'll be the ones who slay
"Hahaha slay" Will whispered
"What's so funny about that? To slay means to kill right?" Nico whispered back.
"We really need to get you on the internet one of these days," Will sighed.
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
"He seems to have good leadership skills," Clarisse pointed out. "That's a useful thing to have when it comes to war."
"I think it's because he has so much experience, being the king of Ithaca and all," One of the Athena kids thought out loud. "He got crowned at the age of 13 due to his father starting to go mad."
"But that's so young," Frank said. "No one should have to deal with the duties of being king at such a young age."
All the campers nodded their heads, agreeing.
[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
A bunch of the campers burst out laughing.
"Poor Ajax." Rachel joked.
"Yeah, he does look super small though." A hunter said. "He could get injured easily."
[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?
[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
A bunch of "awwws" filled the dining pavilion. Mainly from the girls.
"I assume by the animation that Penelope and Telemachus are his wife and child." Chris said.
"Yep. If I remember correctly, Odysseus had an infant son with Penelope before the war started." Jason explained. A bunch of campers looked at him confused. "What? I read the Odyssey."
"How old was his son when he left for war?" Will asked.
"Just about under one years old, I believe" Jason answered.
The Aphrodite kids gasped and looked just about on the verge of tears. "So if the war lasted 10 years, Odysseus doesn't get to see his son grow up?" One of them asked.
"Yes, but it was a lot longer than 10 years." Reyna replied.
Many campers looked around confused. How much longer?
[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
"Yeah well that's only gonna take him a few more years." Hermes joked.
"How long did it take him to get back home anyways?" Leo asked.
"10 years."
A choir of "What!? " filled the dining pavilion, while the ones that already knew the story gave a sad look.
"Wait, as far as I know, Troy isn't that far from Ithaca. How can a short trip back turn into a 10 year journey?" Percy asked, confused.
"Well to summarize it up without too many spoilers, many monsters that some of you actually have fought before stopped him while he was on his way back. Not the mention the amount of gods he made angry." Hermes explained.
"That sounds just like someone I know." Annabeth joked as she glared towards Percy.
"Hey!" Percy held his hands up in a mock surrender. "I've gotten better!"
"Have you?"
Campers burst out laughing.
[SOLDIERS]
What do you fight for?
[ODYSSEUS, spoken]
Attack!
[ Battle cries and war sounds are heard
A figure approaches ODYSSEUS and stabs him ]
"What is that?" Grover exclaimed.
[ODYSSEUS, spoken]
Argh
Who was that?
[ Thunder, an eagle cries ]
[ZEUS]
A vision of what is to come, cannot be outrun
Can only be dealt with right here and now
"Oh gods, Dad." Thalia sighed. "When you see him, you already know it means trouble."
"Yep, and something tells me he's going to cause a lot more in the future." Rachel smiled.
Hermes laughed. "Yeah, she's definitely the oracle."
Campers start to question what Hermes and Rachel meant by that, but let it go.
[ODYSSEUS]
Tell me how
[ZEUS]
I don't think you're ready
"Why wouldn't he be ready?" Piper asked. "He just went through 10 years of war, so he should be prepared."
A mission to kill someone's son, a foe who won't run
Unlike anyone you have faced before
"That's awful." Hazel said in a sad-toned voice.
"Well yeah but didn't he just kill many people in the Trojan War? This should be no different." Clarisse exclaimed.
[ODYSSEUS]
Say no more, I know that I'm ready
[ZEUS & GODS]
I don't think you're ready
"WAIT WHAT?"
"IS THAT A BABY?"
"NO WAY HE HAS TO KILL A BABY.???"
"THATS INSANE!"
"So Zeus really meant it when he said that he wouldn't be ready." Leo said with a worried tone in his voice.
"This must be hard for him, especially since he left when his son was also just an infant." Stated Rachel.
Murmurs of agreement spread throughout the dining pavilion.
"Wait but he's not actually going to do it, right?" Hazel squealed.
No one answered as the song continued.
[ODYSSEUS]
It's just an infant, it's just a boy
What sort of imminent threat does he pose
That I cannot avoid?
"Exactly!" Campers started screaming.
"What could a baby possibly do?" Percy asked.
"Kids grow up." Reyna said with a sad smile as campers looked at her confused before turning back to the screen.
[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
"I don't understand why Zeus can't just kill the infant himself." Frank questioned.
"You know the Gods, they always want mortals to do the work for them." One of the Roman campers answered. Hermes looked over, mock offended.
[ZEUS]
You can say goodbye to
[GODS]
Penelope
[ZEUS]
You can say goodbye to
[GODS]
Penelope
"That's manipulating!" Piper shouted out. "He can't just tell a guy who clearly loves his wife more than anything that she will be killed if he doesn't kill the infant!"
"That's my dad for you." Jason sighed while Thalia nodded in agreement.
[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
"Okay so Zeus is the same in every universe, got it." Percy said in such a serious tone that everyone started laughing.
"I really do like the harmonies in this song though," Will said. "I think it's really cool how well their voices overlap one another. It makes the song so much better."
[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
The campers shifted after hearing how ominous the last line was.
"So, that was the first song. How do we feel?" Hermes asked excitedly.
"I think it's off to a good start," Annabeth answered. "I really liked the portrayal of the Gods and the war so far. I also like the fact that it gives you that effect that makes you feel excited for what comes next."
"We're less than 5 minutes into this, how have you already done a full analysis on this?" Percy joked while Annabeth rolled her eyes at him.
"I liked the fighting part of it," Clarisse states. "And I am wondering if he's gonna choose to kill the baby or not."
"Well you have to wait and find out the next song!" Hermes jumped out of his seat next to the projector to start playing Just a man.Just so you guys are aware, this animatic is by the same person. It's meant to take place right after the last song." Hermes explained.
The campers nodded as the blank screen started to fade into the animatic.
[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
"This is so fucked up. Especially since he has a son waiting for him at home." Chris pointed out.
Percy nodded. "Its such an insane thing to ask a father."
Some campers murmured in agreement.
Will these actions haunt my days? Every man I've slain?
Is the price I pay endless pain?
The camp shifted uncomfortably at this line. Especially the seven, Nico, and Reyna. Knowing how much they have sacrificed and suffered on their past quests just because they were born a demigod.
Close your eyes and spare yourself the view
"What??" Hazel screeched. "He's just going to stab the baby? That's so cruel."
"Yeah. There are much better ways to get the job done. Like maybe just give him a little shove and let gravity take over." Nico replied. Most campers looked at him like he was crazy, but he just shrugged and turned around back towards the screen.
Hermes chuckled at this, knowing what really did end up happening.
How could I hurt you?
Campers all around sighed in relief.
"Good. A stabbed baby would've been brutal to watch." Frank said.
I'm just a man who's trying to go home
Even after all the years away from what I've known
"It is kind of crazy to think about the fact that he has been away from his home for 10 years." Rachel noticed. "A lot of changes have probably been made since he left."
I'm just a man who's fighting for his life
Deep down, I would trade the world to see my son and wife
More "awws" filled the room as more campers began to realize just how much Odysseus cares about his family.
"I think we all know what he's gonna end up choosing. Especially since Zeus threatened his wife in the last song. Even if it is going to be sad." Grover noted.
I'm just a man
But when does a comet become a meteor?
When does a candle become a blaze?
Roots began to form as a tree started growing from the infant's body.
"What is that?" Hazel questioned.
Campers all around looked shocked. Their mouths hanging open.
When does a man become a monster?
"Woah. That's really cool." Leo mentions at the sight of seeing Odysseus reflection in the mirror being a monster.
"Yeah. I like the way this animator portrays the way Odysseus feels so well." Annabeth replies.
When does a ripple become a tidal wave?
When does the reason become the blame?
When does a man become a monster?
The branches of the tree keep growing, and Odysseus picks up the baby.
"What!? Is he actually gonna kill him???" Piper screamed. Nobody answered, the campers all around being as worried as her. The ones who read the Odyssey looking up at the screen, also wondering what happened due to not reading it in awhile.
[ODYSSEUS, SOLDIERS ]
When does a comet become a meteor?
When does a candle become a blaze? (Forgive me)
When does a man become a monster? (Forgive me)
When does a man become a monster? (Forgive me)
"INFRONT OF EVERYONE??"
"WHAT!?"
"HES JUST GONNA DROP HIM??"
Campers all around started screaming different things at once. Their jaws dropped, still shocked from the whole situation.
[ODYSSEUS]
I'm just a man
Odysseus holds the baby from the top of the wall, and the screen fades to black, showing the drawing of a hand opening.
Everyone stared at the screen, shocked and silent. Like they still couldn't believe what just happened. Hazel and some Aphrodite kids looked on the verge of tears.
"I still can't believe he actually did that. It's kind of hard to believe." Leo said what everyone was thinking.
"Yeah but I really can't blame him for it," Percy began to say. "I mean if someone told me that my wife and son would be killed if I didn't murder a baby, I'd do the same thing as Odysseus. Especially since the task was ordered by a god, so he could be punished if he didn't follow his orders. His actions just seem so.. justified in a way."
People around him nodded. Not saying a word.
"Okay then!" Hermes broke the silence. "Let's move onto the next song." He reached for the remote and hit one of the buttons as the screen faded out to begin playing Full Speed Ahead .this song a continuation of the last song again?" Reyna asks.
"Well, not exactly," Hermes answers. "Theres a time skip to where all the men are on their ships. There are 12 ships in total since there were too many men and they couldn't all fit on one ship."
The camp was thankful for the context but also a bit confused why Hermes pointed out the number of ships the fleet had. Could 12 be an important number?
"Also one last thing, new characters will be introduced in this song. They are pretty important to the storyline and to Odysseus so try to remember who they are." Hermes settles back down as the screen starts to turn on.
[ODYSSEUS, SOLDIERS , ODYSSEUS & SOLDIERS]
Six hundred men
Six hundred men under my command
"SIX HUNDRED??" Campers started shouting out loud.
"No wonder they need 12 ships. 600 people is a lot. We could barely handle 7 when we were on the Argo II" Annabeth commented.
The seven, Nico, and Reyna nodded their heads and turned back towards the screen.
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
Images of 3 monsters are shown: an enormous mouth with teeth, a monster with many snake heads and a big single eye opening.
"Wait, what was that?" Thalia asked.
"Huh?" Some campers responded while others who also saw the images looked just as confused as her.
"You'll see in later songs, but for context, they are some of the monsters that Odysseus encounters on his journey back home." Hermes replies, trying to clear up any questions campers may have.
And Ithaca's waiting
( Ithaca's waiting )
My kingdom is waiting
( The kingdom is waiting )
Penelope's waitin' for me
"Awhh, I love how he always finds a way to mention his family in every song." Hazel observes.
"I know! It's so cute how he stays so loyal to her even after being away from her for a decade." Piper mentions.
So full speed ahead, full speed ahead
[EURYLOCHUS, SOLDIERS ]
Captain ( Eurylochus )
Six hundred men ( Six hundred men )
"Yay a new character!" Jason says excitedly.
"He has a good voice too! I'm excited to see how he fits into the story in the future." Will replies, earning a nod from many campers.
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
"Shouldn't there be fish? Or at least some form of food while they're out in the ocean. I mean surely they have supplies on at least one of the twelve ships to catch something." Clarisse wonders.
"Yeah. But if they did that, then the story would've ended much sooner. And people like the plot." Hermes answers simply.
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, ODYSSEUS & SOLDIERS]
Watch where the birds fly (Watch where the birds fly)
They will lead us to land (They will lead us to land)
"Thats actually a pretty smart idea." Annabeth states. "Birds usually migrate to some form of land."
There we'll hunt for food, my second in command
"Ohh, so he's the second in command." Leo points out.
"Yep! Eurylochus is actually Odysseus' brother in law since he's married to his sister Ctimene." Hermes answers.
Many "ohhh"'s were heard throughout the camp as the song continued playing.
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
"AWHHH. LOOK AT THE WAY ODYSSEUS SMILED!!" Hazel squeals. "HES SO CUTE!!"
"Yeah! Polites is Odysseus' childhood best friend." Hermes answers simply.
"Why is he wearing glasses though?" Reyna asks. "They didn't exist in ancient Greece."
"The character designs in most of these animatics are based off of the people who voice them. Polites' actor wears glasses, so people drew the character with glasses too." Hermes replies.
[POLITES, spoken]
Look!
[POLITES]
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?
"Does going on a random island really seem like a good idea though? I know they're desperate but it just doesn't seem like the best plan." Thalia says.
[EURYLOCHUS]
I say we strike first, we don't have time to waste
So let's raid the place and—
"Oh this is definitely an "angel-and-devil on the shoulder" relationship." Leo observes.
[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
[EURYLOCHUS]
We don't know what's ahead
[ODYSSEUS, SOLDIERS , ODYSSEUS & SOLDIERS]
Give me 'til sunrise, and if we don't return
Then six hundred men can make this whole place burn
"This is a great example of how good of a leader Odysseus is." Reyna notes. "He seems to be very good at leading his crew in the right direction, listening to both sides and picking a place in between to compromise. He doesn't seem to be too kind, but doesn't seem to be too mean either."
The rest of the camp seems to agree with this while Hermes jokes to himself about her choice of wording.
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
The animatic finished with a final shot of the 12 boats, ready to dock the island.
"And that's the end of the third song!" Hermes announces, smiling to himself. "How do we feel?"
"I really enjoyed the art." Annabeth answered. "And the clips that flash to the future, giving hints to what might happen."
"I'm also excited to find out what's on the island." Rachel adds. "Considering there as monsters in the future, I wonder what might be there that could lead them to a monster. Or maybe the monsters already on the island."
"You'll just have to keep watching to find out!" Hermes says as he reaches for the remote to turn on Open Arms.This next song takes place closely after Full Speed Ahead. When Polities and Odysseus are on the island." Hermes explained.
"I hope we get to learn more about Polities!" Hazel says excitedly. "He seems so kind! He's very cute too!"
The screen starts to light up as Open Arms starts to play.
[POLITES]
You can relax, my friend
[ODYSSEUS, spoken]
Huh?
"I feel like relaxed wouldn't exactly be the emotion I'm feeling after just getting out of a 10 year war." Jason grins.
[POLITES]
I can tell you're getting nervous
So do yourself a service
And try to relax, my friend
[ODYSSEUS]
I'm fine, Polites
"They seem like good friends." Reyna points out. "I don't think the king would let any random soldier talk to him like that."
"They actually are childhood best friends!" Hermes states. "Odysseus, Polities, and Eurylochus have known each other since they were kids."
[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?
"Polities doesn't seem like the fighting type." Clarisse stated. "He looks like he's just there for emotional support."
Look at how you grip your sword, enough said
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
"Are we sure that they're 'just friends'?" Leo jokes.
Some campers start bursting out into laughter while others just stare at Leo dumbfounded.
"They remind me of Nico and Will honestly." Annabeth points out jokingly. "Or Percy and Grover."
"Yeah, yeah. Very funny." Nico says sarcastically. While Percy and Grover give each other a fist-bump.
I'm telling you
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
"This is definitely an over-the-top optimistic mindset to have, especially if there is going to be danger on the journey back." Annabeth says.
"Yeah, he seems way too positive in a way." Percy agrees.
[LOTUS EATERS, spoken]
Welcome
Some campers stare at the screen, startled. While others look very confused.
"What is that?" Frank asks to nobody in particular.
[ODYSSEUS, spoken]
Stay back
"I would have the same reaction as Odysseus to be honest." Thalia says, campers nodding, agreeing.
[LOTUS EATERS, spoken]
Stay back
[POLITES]
My friend, greet the world with open arms
"Now does not seem like the best time to be kind. Especially when a potential danger could be in front of you."
[ODYSSEUS]
We're only here for food
[LOTUS EATERS, spoken]
Food
[ODYSSEUS]
Six hundred friends are waiting for us to show our faces
[LOTUS EATERS, spoken]
Food
"They don't seem that dangerous." Hazel points out.
"Maybe. But I still don't think they're completely trustworthy. They have a weird vibe." Reyna replies.
[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
"Now does not seem like the best time to be threatening them, in case they can attack." Grover states.
[LOTUS EATERS, spoken]
Here you go
"Okay, maybe we shouldn't eat food that random creatures on an island give you." Leo says.
[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
"I love how Polities can still be positive in situations like this. It really shows his character." Hazel exclaims.
"Yeah. Though, positivity could be dangerous in times like this." Annabeth replies.
[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
"Wait! Lotus? Like the Lotus Casino?" Percy shouts over the speaker playing the music.
Hermes nods while Nico shivers at remembering the fun times with Bianca in the Lotus Casino before his mother died and he found out he was trapped there for over 70 years.
That's what we'd get with open arms
[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)
"Wait, 'Scary cave'? That can't be good." Rachel shakes.
"Wait.. A CAVE!?" Clarisse shouts, remember the image of the eye that was shown earlier. "THERES NO WAY!"
Percy, Annabeth, and Grover burst out laughing while campers look around confused.
[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
"Oh my gods. Please don't tell me they're actually gonna go to the cave." Thalia says, already knowing the answer.
Hermes just shrugs with a grin as Thalia groans in annoyance.
[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
"Awhh! He's starting to accept the 'open arms' mindset. This definitely isn't gonna be good for him in the future." Piper says worriedly.
[POLITES]
You can relax, my friend
A flash light is seen when Odysseus catches the apple, and a light figure seems to come out of him.
"What was that!?" Grover screeches.
Many questions start shooting out of all the campers before Hermes claps, grabbing everyone's attention.
"I'm sure you all have many questions, but that will have to wait." Hermes says with a smile. "How did you all feel about that song?"
"I really liked it." Hazel starts. "Polities is so cute!"
"Yeah, I feel like that might turn out poorly for him though." Frank added.
"Well time for the next song! I really like this next one." Hermes jumps up to grab the remote.
"Yes please! I need to know what that was at the end of this song." Percy groans.
Hermes flashes a grin as he starts to play Warrior of the Mind .
Notes: