Their ships continued sailing further away from the island, though Nefeli was still in shock from what happened. Agony settled upon her from seeing her best friend sacrifice himself for her. It opened a door; a world full of pain, and doubt. Was she doing the right thing? Was she truly a monster? And it stirred something within her, that perhaps, it would be better to become a monster to make it home.

Nefeli's stagnant gaze shifts toward Polydeuces, and to the memory of the look he gave her. After Polyphemus fell and they survived.. He seemed.. Scared.. But relieved? Was he angry with her? Did he hate her now? Polities died because of her and she pushed Polydeuces away. And that rush of sudden power... the spark that emanated off her body, saved them both. 'What..am I?' She questioned as tears fell down her face. Nefeli then regarded the bandana still in her hand, whispering. "I'm sorry.." Her falling tears froze mid-decent, as she, along with Odyseus were transported back to the familiar hourglass.

Nefeli sighs deeply, "I'm not in the mood for this."

"Me neither." Odysseus mumbled next to her, the two about to turn and face their mentor. When Nefeli was knocked off her feet by Athena; greeting striked in the back of the head. "You were both reckless, sentimental at best. That's not a teaching of mine." Athena quickly slams her shield into Odysseus, sending him to the ground as well. "You've grown soft, your dead friends can attest."

"Hey!" Nefeli grunts, gathering her spear to defend herself. Only for Athena to disarm her efficiently. Athena huffs and smears at them both, "put your emotions aside. Your warriors, meant to lead the rest! I don't know where I went wrong but, I warned you and you failed the test! so , now I'm gone." While Athena seemed distracted, Odysseus started charging at her with his sword. Athena anticipated it, as she swiftly kicked in his leg; tripping him instantly. "Odysseus!" Nefeli shakingly stands, her eyes giving off a yellow glow as she attempts to regain the upper hand. "We're only mortals! We feel, we suffer, we remember every one of the lives we take! Why can't you understand that?!!"

Nefeli grabs Atena's spear with one hand, seeing an opening to punch the goddess. But, she hesitated and Athena managed to pull Nefeli in; kneeing her in the gut harshly. Causing the short woman to cough in pain. "I told you, in the face of danger. Fear can be a tool. But instead, you allowed it to consume you." Athena frowns as she tossed Nefeli away like nothing. "This way, you 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." The goddess turns away from them both, "This way, you won't disappoint me. This way, you won't disappoint me. This way, I'll close the door.. Consider this as my goodbye."

Odysseus huffs as he pulls himself up to his feet, "that's just like you. Why should I be surprised? Selfish, prideful, and vain." He clenches his fists as he goes to Nefeli, helping her up. "But, unlike you, everytime someone dies. We're left to deal with the strain. He hooks Nefelis arm over his shoulders, aiding her to stand. This earned a groan from the other, but they both stood tall together. "What's a title that a goddess could lead, if we'll never sleep at night? We'll remind you, we saw you as a friend. But now we're done. This way, you're out of our heads now. This way, you won't plague our lives. 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!!"

The goddess of wisdom frowns, her back still toward them as she spreads out her owl like wings. The sheer wind force, sending the two ithacans skidding backwards a bit. "You're not looking for a mentor!! You're not looking for a friend." Athena faces them with pure anger and retribution. "I mistook you both for generals!! What a waste of effort spent!" Nefeli felt stricken by Athena's words, tears streaming down her face. "At least we know what we're 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!!" Nefeli pants, regret almost crossing her features. Though she remained firm with her brow furrowed. Odysseus, meanwhile, was taken aback by the hard emotions his friend had been facing all this time.

Athena's features wavered in disbelief, almost knowing that Nefeli was right. "One day, you'll hear what I'm saying. One day, you might understand. One day... but not today for after all you're just a wo-man." Athena, in that moment, seemed to be backed up by the souls of their fallen comrades, one in particular cradling an infant. "This day, you sever your own heads. This day, you cut the line. This day, you lost it all. Consider this as my goodbye... This is my goodbye!!"

Athena points her spear at them before turning away, the gusts of winds returning; blowing through her feathers like a cape. As the souls all give their solemn regards, and silent goodbyes. Athena seemed to slowly disappear along with them. Vanishing like a breath of wind as their world returned to normal.

Nefeli gasps, seeing their ship remain sailing. Odysseus sighs, patting her shoulder; a silent conversation passing between them before he walks off to care for the others. Pollyduses cautiously walked up to her after Odysseus left, giving her that same soft smile. "Hey, you seemed pretty out of it.. I don't know if you'd be hungry, but..." He kindly offers her an apple, and she only sighs; accepting it. Finally noticing the wrapping around his hands, "what happened? Did you get rope burn or something?"

Polydeuces blushes as she takes his hand to inspect it closer, "a-actually... you did this." He admits nervously, unsure if he should even tell her. "What?? How could I have? I... I don't.." Nefeli knits her brows together in confusion as faint memories return to her.

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Years before the war, even before becoming Athena's apprentice. Nefeli was just a happy young girl who lived on a farm. Her youth made her curious, thirsty for the adventurous great unknowns of their small island. Though, one day, when she went out exploring the dense forests near home. Nefeli wound up getting lost, a storm had made it difficult to traverse. All she could remember was a flash of light, and waking up back home. The only evidence of her endeavor being, a long scar that ran from her eye to her back. Its branching effects etched into her skin.

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Polydeuces snaps his fingers in front of Nefelis face to regain her focus. "Nefeli.."

"Huh?" Nefeli blinks as she looks up at the other, "you're really bad at paying attention." Polydeuces chuckles and slightly teases, causing the woman to blush. "Sorry.. Everything just got so messed up after Troy... I-I just lost my best friend and my mentor in one day... And it's like I am getting stalked by the guilt of the terrible thing I did." Nefeli looks down ashamedly as she cries. Polydeuces gently pulled her into his arms, with no pity or fear. His hushed words for only her to hear.

"I know...I know what you and Odyseuss did. Whatever reason you both had for doing it...you mustn't have had a choice." He gently rubs her back "Ne, I'll never see you as a monster. You're just another victim... a result of what war does to a person... Ne... dont ever think I'm scared of you.. I.. actually want to be with you. You are my world..."

Nefeli slowly looks up at him, filled with relief as a light is reignited within her. "I want you to be my world too."