After the flash of light, they found themselves in a gigantic, majestic hall,so vast it seemed built for giants. The walls were covered in exquisite paintings of strange, otherworldly creatures, and endless hallways stretched out in nearly every direction. Needless to say, they were stunned.

  Odysseus reacted on instinct. In one swift motion, he drew an arrow and strung his bow, positioning himself protectively in front of Penelope and Telemachus. Questions could wait,right now, their safety came first.

  A flurry of thoughts flashed through his mind in the span of seconds. This had to be the work of a god,perhaps poseidon. They weren’t exactly on friendly terms, after all. But the more he took in his surroundings, the more that theory faded. The hall was too fantastical, too surreal, and it lacked the sea god’s signature presence. Besides, if Poseidon had such power, he surely would’ve used it against Odysseus long ago.

  He kept his bow raised as he glanced at his family.

  “Are you all right?”

  "Yes," they both answered at the same time.

  Telemachus raised his fists, ready to fight, while Penelope silently prayed to Athena,if the goddess could even hear them in this strange place.

  Odysseus narrowed his eyes and called out into the void.

  "Show yourself. I know you're watching. Show yourself I can see you."

  Suddenly, the air grew colder. Shadows deepened, and the light in the hall dimmed. Then, a voice echoed no, multiple voices, overlapping yet coming from the same direction.

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  "How can you see through my spell?" the voices asked in eerie unison.

  Odysseus didn’t hesitate. He shot an arrow towards the source but it froze in mid-air, suspended as if afraid to go further. Undeterred, he fired again. Then again. Ten arrows flew, and all met the same fate. hanging still in the air, motionless and powerless.

  then it spoke again

  "I asked a question. I hope I won’t have to repeat myself."

  Odysseus felt a flicker of helplessness. Why did life seem to delight in throwing him into one impossible trial after another? But he calmed his mind. Panic never solved anything. He hadn’t made it this far by giving up easily.

  He cast a reassuring glance at Penelope and Telemachus, then took a half-step forward. With a slight bow—careful to stay ready for any sudden attack he spoke:

  "Ah, yes, of course. I was merely bluffing. Please, take no offense."

  The entity smiled but Odysseus and his family could not see it.

  "I see," it said. "Well, if you had let me speak before attacking, you would know I mean you no harm."

  Odysseus stayed silent, hoping the figure would continue. But it did not.

  He grit his teeth and forced a polite smile.

  "Then might I ask why you have brought us here?"

  It replied simply

  "To react."

  "To react?" Odysseus repeated, annoyance creeping in his voice,why the hell did it keep giving half answers??

  "Yes. You, along with a group of others I have chosen, will watch your journey from Troy all the way back to Ithaca. Once it's over, you may return home."

  Odysseus stared, struggling to believe what he was hearing. Was this being serious? First of all, how could something like that even be possible?

  But he quickly pushed that thought aside. This whole situation had already shattered the boundaries of what he considered possible even in a world filled with gods, monsters, and curses. So the question became not how, but why.

  "And why would you have us do all that?" he asked,his voice sharp.

  The entity chuckled a soft, unsettling sound.

  "Why else? For my entertainment, of course."