epic-kotlc-crossover

[epic-kotlc-crossover]

Hey btw we put this on ao3 under thoughtlesscat and gay_witches_are_the_best. Pretty sure it’s called Keeper of the Lost Odyssey lolll

@bookwormgirl123 @ham-cheese-toastie @myfairkatiecat @justalunaticfangirl @the-soul-detectives

[epic-kotlc-crossover]

penelope whyyyy, you know i'm too shyyyy, and terrifieddddd ~~~~

Uhhh, Shannon? Ummmmmmm what are you doing?

[epic-kotlc-crossover]

Would You Fall In Love With Me Again?

thank you for sticking with us and reading this :) hope you enjoy this last chapter!

@ham-cheese-toastie @myfairkatiecat @bookwormgirl123 @sombrathedragon @justalunaticfangirl

@the-soul-detectives

The door was cold. 

Wood and glass, twined together in intricate patterns of olive trees and owls made of leaves. Fitz took a deep breath, reaching a bloodied hand up and twisting the handle. “Sophie?”

“Is it you?” Sophie’s voice– Fitz knew it was hers, he would never let himself forget it again– answered from inside the room. She opened the door, and there she was, there she was, finally, after so long…

“Have my prayers been answered? Or is this just another dream?”

“It’s me,” Fitz answered in a small voice.

“You look… different. Your eyes are tired. Your smile is gone. What happened to you, love?”

Fitz bit back a sob. After so long, he couldn’t really believe that his wife was really here. “I am not the same man you fell in love with. I am no longer kind, or gentle, or…” he trailed off. “If I told you what I’ve done… I find it hard to believe that you’d ever fall in love with me again. Would you? Would you love me all the same, despite it all?”

Sophie hesitated. “What kinds of things did you do?”

“I left behind blood and pain everywhere I went. Traded my best friends like objects, and killed my entire crew just to get home! But I know that you’ve been waiting all this time… Please, Sophie. Please answer me. Would you fall in love with me again?”

Sophie had been staring intently at him throughout his whole speech and continued to for a few seconds afterward.

Just long enough to make Fitz extremely worried. That she’d agree with him, that he was a monster and not someone she could love. Not her husband.

When she did speak, her voice was very quiet. Still strong, but so, so, quiet. Fitz could feel himself crumble at the sound of it. “If that’s true, could you do me a favor? Just a little bit of labor, and you’d bring me great peace.”

Fitz nodded, quickly. “Anything,” he promised her. He’d do so many things to make her happy. “Anything at all.” Even if it meant leaving.

Sophie stepped out into the light of their bedroom and pointed over to their bed, which was exactly as Fitz had remembered it. The tree had even grown a little in the time he’d been gone, and he stopped for a few seconds to admire his handiwork. He’d always loved how it curved around the bed like it was encasing it into a hug. That is, until his wife’s next words made his heart stop. “You see our wedding bed? Could you lift it and carry it far away from here?”

Fitz almost stopped breathing. “How could you say that?” He hated the way his voice cracked, how Sophie didn’t laugh immediately or make it known that don’t worry, this is a joke! I’m not actually telling you to ruin the everlasting symbol of our love!!

Unfortunately, Sophie seemed to be completely serious. “I built that bed with my blood and sweat! Carved it into the tree where we first met!” His voice rose higher and higher and he found tears pricking at his eyes. “Do you realize what you have asked me?” Fitz’s voice was hoarse from all the yelling he’d done today—and Sophie’s almost betrayal made it sting even more. “The only way to move it is to cut it from its roots—”

“Only my husband knew that, so I guess that makes him YOU !” Sophie cut him off. Her face was beet red, and her calm facade had dropped. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

Fitz stopped breathing for the second time in minutes. “Sophie…” All his anger vaporized as quick as it had come. 

She wasn’t done, apparently, and made it very clear as she marched over to him and jabbed a finger in his chest, golden hair swaying. “I would fall in love with you over and over again, no matter how long it’s been—you’re mine.” 

He didn’t think he’d be able to speak—she looked so pretty, and she didn’t hate him after all!

“Don’t tell me you’re not the same person!” Tears were streaming down her face now, and if Fitz had the capability to move he’d wipe them. “You’re always my husband and I’ve been waiting….waiting for you!” 

And, with her speech seemingly done, Sophie threw her arms around his shoulders. Fitz (who finally managed to make his brain move) tightened his arms around her like she was the only reason he was still on Earth.

And she was, really. Fitz, step away from the ledge--

Fitz buried his face in the crook of her neck, and let himself finally relax. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this… safe.

“How long has it been?” He could feel Sophie whisper against his shoulder.

“Twenty years,” 

Neither of them seemed to want to talk, just to stay there, entangled in each other, soaking the other in. 

Fitz did say something, though. Sophie seemed to get the same idea, because when he opened his mind to hers, she was already waiting. 

I love you…

[epic-kotlc-crossover]

I Can't Help But Wonder

REUNIONS ALL AROUND!!

@ham-cheese-toastie @myfairkatiecat @bookwormgirl123 @sombrathedragon @justalunaticfangirl

@the-soul-detectives

Fitz stood, chest heaving from the exertion. As he surveyed the room, a tiny part of him felt disgusted at all the bodies.

Another part couldn’t care less. His family was safe. Marella—

He turned around, hating the way she flinched. “I’m so sorry, Marella. My journey home…this—” He paused, looking around at the room. A tiny bit more guilt seeped into him. “—this has filled my heart with hate. Anger. Sadness.”

His daughter—his daughter!! How grown up she was, and he was talking to her!—relaxed slightly. “It’s okay, Father.” Father!!  Fitz’s heart swelled. How long he’d been waiting to hear that…

Marella took a deep breath. “All my life, I’d have died to meet you, thinking about your name so much it hurts.” Her voice broke, and she stepped towards him. “I’ve wanted to see you for twenty years and now I can’t think of what to say.” 

Fitz honestly couldn’t e Marella, seemingly not being able to stop, plowed on. “I can’t help but wonder what your world must be, if we’re like each other at all, if you’d accept me as your own…” Fitz felt offended that she’d ever think he wouldn’t. His gaze flickered over her, and his eyes caught on a flicker of a flame on her finger. Oh. “Twenty years, I’ve wandered, for so long I’ve felt alone.”

She caught him looking at it, and gave him a half smile—one so scared, so vulnerable as she put it out. Fitz moved as quickly as he could over to her, and grabbed her chin, gently cradling it. 

By this point his tears were falling freely, half thinking that this–this dream that he’d had for twenty years would turn out to be false. That he’d wake up and Poseidon would have his way.

“My daughter…look how much you’ve grown.” She was a few centimeters taller than him, Fitz realised, now that he was up close. Sophie will love this, he thought, a small smile appearing. “My girl, the sweetest thing I’ve ever known. Twenty years ago, I first saw you, and how fast time has flown,” Technically a lie, but now that he was here, home, everything that he’d gone through—did felt worth it. 

Fitz continued. “I used to say I’d make the storm clouds cry for you, used to say I’d capture wind and sky for you,” And I did, he remembered the horrible wind bag, Poseidon’s screams, Zeus’ lightning. “I can only wonder what your life’s been like, the things you’ve had to suffer,” At the hands of the suitors, “All I ever wanted fo the past twenty years was to see you and your mother again. Today, you’re not alone.” He grinned at her.

“My daughter, I’m finally home!” Marella flung her arms around him, seemingly not caring about the blood all over his body. Her body shook with sobs. Fitz’s hold on her tightened, because he was pretty sure she was the only thing holding him grounded at the moment—he felt as though he could soar from happiness. 

Minutes passed, though it felt like seconds to Fitz, before a distinct ticking sound sounded around the father and daughter.

Fitz gently pulled away, smiling one last time—no, one of the first of many—at Marella. “Go, tell your mother I’m home. I’ll be there in a moment.” Marella took a step backwards, and tilted her head at him, before grinning and sprinting into the hallway. 

Only after she’d gone Fitz realised that he could’ve sent the message telepathically. Either way, it gave him an opportunity to see an old friend—mentor? Someone who left him for dead but saved him seven years later?—again. 

“Show yourself,” He whispered into the air. “I know you’re watching me, Athena.”

The air shimmered, and the goddess appeared in front of him, helmet in her hands and stormy gray eyes as piercing as he remembered. “You were never one for hellos,” Fitz whispered.

Athena studied him for a second, and, predictably, did not say hello. “I can’t help wondering what would happen if we gave each other a little more empathy,” Fitz raised his eyebrows. Was this…an apology? “I can’t help but feel like I led you astray,” Athena continued, then glanced at him for a split second. Her hands were fidgeting with her helmet. “What if there’s a world where we don't have to live this way?”

Fitz sighed. All at once, the years he’d been at war seemed to stack up on his shoulders. He was forty (or something like that—he’d lost count of his age) and being a warrior with Athena seemed to be too much, after he’d just gotten home.

“That world may exist, far away from here. I’ll have to imagine it, because it’ll probably happen after my years.” He gave her a sad smile. “You’re immortal, so you could make it happen.”

Fitz glanced back at his palace. “I’ve got something to do, though. There’s a girl I have to see.”

Fitz? Sophie’s voice echoed in his head. “I’m coming,” Fitz promised. And this time, he’d actually be able to see her. No more missed chances.

[epic-kotlc-crossover]

King

Hiya! We're so close to the end of this... not quite! We have some art, possibly some little short stories, too!! Stick around.

Trigger warnings!! This chapter contains some very violent descriptions as well as mentions of SA! Read with caution!!

Also, there might be excessive paragraph breaks. sorry abt that.

@ham-cheese-toastie @myfairkatiecat @bookwormgirl123 @sombrathedragon @justalunaticfangirl

@the-soul-detectives

“RUN!”

The room erupted into chaos, suitors scrambling over each other to get away from Fitz. He laughed, levitating above them. Skills came in handy sometimes…

“Wait!”

“Where are they?”

“Where is he?”

“He took our weapons!” 

“Go! Go, go! Get out of here!” 

“He’ll kill us all, get out!”

Fitz let them run, smirking to himself. Years ago, his tutor taught him how to hide objects in the void– a talent only Conjurers knew how to do. Well, and him, now. Fitz had grabbed all of the mens’ weapons and snapped them away, putting them in the weapons room on the other side of the palace. 

Fitz wanted the suitors to get lost, trapped in the dark halls. It seemed to be working, based on the thoughts he was picking up from their panicked minds. He stepped over the dead body of Fintan, snorting with disgust. 

Before entering the pitch-black halls of his palace, he sent out a transmission, barely thinking about his ominous tones. 

For twenty years I’ve suffered every punishment. Every pain imaginable. I’ve angered gods, monsters, friends– I killed them all. Now I come back and find MY palace destroyed? Worst of all, I heard you dared to touch my wife and hurt my daughter?!

I.

Have had.

ENOUGH.

Fitz snuck into the shadows, staying against the walls to avoid being seen. 

“We’re empty handed!” A voice shouted to its comrades.

“But we have the advantage! There are 107 of us and only one king.” 

“No! You don’t get it. Fitz is the best strategist in all of Greece!”

Thanks, Fitz thought, and shot the man in the back. He didn’t hesitate to kill the other suitor, blood spraying on his face. He spat it out of his mouth, running off again. 

“Where is he? Where is he?”

“Keep your head down! He’s aiming for our voices!”

No, just your thoughts, he smiled grimly before firing three arrows at once in the direction of the gruff voices.

“Where are our weapons?!” Another voice hissed.

“He’s hiding in the dark! Find him! We know these halls, the odds are with us!”

Fitz lept out from behind a door. “You don’t think I know my own palace? I built it!” 

Aim.

Pull back.

Fire.

Over and over and over again. 

Ten dead.

Twenty.

Thirty–

“Please!” Fitz knew that voice… But who was it?

“Old king! Our leader, Fintan, is dead. The rest of us aren’t a threat! Forgive us, please. You don’t… You don’t want any more bloodshed.”

Oh. That was his cousin, Alvar.

Would he kill his own family? 

Yes. 

“Old King? You assume that I ever stopped being king, cousin?!” He shot Alvar in the heart, laughing darkly. 

Time to go. 

MARELLA’S POV

“GET OFF ME!” Marella kicked at the man holding her, biting his arm. He screamed and punched her in the nose. 

“Help!!” She called. But no one was going to hear her. Down in the weapons room, suitors armed with bows and arrows, swords, and clubs, she was far too outnumbered. Even Athena couldn’t help her here. 

“Let me go!” She demanded– pleaded, really. 

“Hah! After seeing what your father will do to us, we would never release you. You're what they call leverage.”

My father? Marella gasped, a new well of energy bursting into her body. She lunged out, surprising the suitor and kicking him down. She grabbed his sword and quickly thrust it into his heart. “Surrender!” she yelled. “Or I’ll kill you all.”

“And I’ll help, daughter.” A man dressed in bloody rags emerged from the tunnel behind her, massive hunting bow in one hand and a quiver across his back. 

“Mercy!” 

“Mercy, please!” 

“Mercy? Mercy?! My mercy abandoned me years ago!” 

Aim. Pull back. Fire. 

Strike them down, one by one. Ignore the pain.

“It died to get me home! And as long as you’re alive, my family will always be in danger.”

Stike. Blood spattering against her bare arms. Strike again. 

“You plotted to kill my daughter!”

Aim. Pull back. Fire.

“YOU PLANNED TO RAPE MY WIFE!” 

Screams filled the halls. More and more dead. Strike.

“All of you are going to die!” 

The king seemed to calm down then, the srange red light fading from his eyes. “All of you who have wronged me,” he started, taking a step toward one of the remaining suitors, “This will be your fate!” He reached up, shooting an arrow clean through the throat of the man.

When all of the suitors were finally dead, the king stepped closer. Marella shivered, wondering if she was about to die. “I’m so sorry, Marella. My journey home… this–” he gestured at the dead all around them– “my heart is filled with hate. Anger. Sadness.”

She took a shaky breath. “It’s okay… Father.”

[epic-kotlc-crossover]

Hold Them Down

chapter two of the Ithaca saga! enjoy ;)

@ham-cheese-toastie @myfairkatiecat @bookwormgirl123 @the-soul-detectives @justalunaticfangirl

@sombrathedragon

Fitz crept through the halls of his palace, listening for the buzz of faraway thoughts. Fitz had felt a weird sensation in his mind when he walked away from the injured sea god last night, and it had taken him several moments to realize that his telepathy had returned. He hadn’t been able to hear thoughts or transmit in over eight years; he had almost forgotten how. 

Fitz had stood outside of his palace all through the morning, keeping out of sight of the guards– he couldn’t trust them, not after he had been gone for twenty years. From what he could hear in the thoughts of the guards and peasants, loyalties were shifting. 108 men had swarmed his palace many years ago, determined to marry his wife, Sophie. Fitz felt cold, deep anger take over him whenever he pictured them, so he was trying to focus on finding– and brutally murdering– them and getting his kingdom back. 

It wasn’t hard to track them down, sneaking through the secret passages he had built into the palace years and years ago. Their loud obnoxious, thoughts were all centered in the great hall. Sophie must have set the emergency plan in place– she must know Fitz was back. 

They had promised before he left for Troy that if something like this happened while he was away, she would issue an impossible challenge to the suitors trying to marry her: string Fitz’s hunting bow and shoot it through twelve axes– something no one had ever done, aside from Fitz, though he suspected it was because Athena trained him. 

Athena. No. He wouldn’t miss her. She abandoned him. She didn’t deserve his thoughts. 

Fitz shook his head, shaggy brown hair falling in his eyes. It hadn’t been cut in years, he didn’t bother on Linh’s island and he certainly didn’t care now. Sophie was so, so close. His heart ached to think how close he was to getting back to her. 

Just take care of this problem, he reminded himself. 

He closed his eyes, tracking the hum of thoughts to the worst of the worst. Fintan. He plucked the name from another suitor, storing it in his head. That one would have to die first. 

Where is he? Where is the man who can string this bow? It’s been hours, none of us can do it. Fitz almost laughed. They were impatient after only a couple hours? He had waited years, decades, to return. His lip curled in disgust, imaging one of those men sitting on his throne, wearing his crown, kissing his wife. 

“Screw this!” he heard Fintan call through the wall. “Can’t you all see we’re being tricked? This is a trap. We’re only here to be stalled. Where in the hell is your pride? Your rage? Right here, right now, we have a chance. The princess is missing! I heard she’s out on a diplomatic mission,” Fintan snorted. The others roared with laughter. Clearly they didn’t have the brains to realize that Marella was a smart, capable young woman. My daughter, he thought with a glow of pride.

“She’s coming back to Ithica today! I say we leave this place, go down to the beaches. We can infiltrate her ship… sneak up on her and…” Fitz heard a dagger being drawn, and the unfinished sentence formed in Fintan’s mind. Hold her down while I slowly break her trust, her pride… and her bones. Until she stops shaking. Cut her up into tiny pieces, throw them down in the sea.

“When the crown wonders where the princess had gone to, only the ocean and I will know!” He finished in a shout. The crowd of men shouted in response, jeering and laughing. Fitz felt the cold anger take over, turning his vision red. 

“That’s not all,” Fintan continued in a low growl. “Once Marella’s dead, the queen will have no one to protect her. No one to stop us from breaking her bedroom door, no one to stop us from taking her love… and more.” 

Fitz clenched his fists, nearly tearing the skin on his knuckles. Those fuckers were planning to murder his daughter, and now this? He felt sick, but the feeling was swallowed by rage. Those suitors wondered where their rage was? He’d show them.

“Hold her down while I get a taste…” Fintan’s voice dropped, and Fitz could see the violent daydreams behind his electric blue eyes. “Hold the queen down while we share her spoils, I will not let any part of her go to waste!” 

Fitz desperately tried to block out his voice. He didn’t want to hear this. Didn’t want to know what these sorry excuses for men were going to do to Sophie. 

With those last horrible words, Fitz got up. He slipped back to through the halls, casually entering the great hall.There were so many people inside that no one noticed him. He didn’t look like Fitz anymore, with his longer hair, rugged face, and torn-up rags for clothes. 

He got in line to attempt stringing his own bow, looking around to spot Fintan. Ah, there he was. He stood at the head of the massive wooden table on the side of the room, talking loudly. His blond hair almost reminded Fitz of Keefe, which was ridiculous. Keefe was dead, long dead. No use dwelling on it now. 

In a few minutes, he was at the front of the line. Fitz stepped forward, ignoring the gaze of the other men. He picked up the bow, smiling at its familiar feel in his hand. In the blink of an eye, he strung the bow, shook an arrow out of his sleeve, and notched it. 

“Hey, what’s going on–” Fintan started. 

Fitz pulled the arrow back, lining it up with immaculate aim. 

Aim.

Pull back.

Fire.

Athena’s mantra once again echoed through his ears, but this time there was another voice. Poseidon, shouting, “Ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves!”

 The arrow flew faster than an eagle, embedding itself in the base of Fintan’s throat. A line of red spilled from the mark, staining his shirt the color of wine. Fintan choked, blood bubbling up in his mouth. Within a second, he fell back, collapsing on the stone floor. 

The room was silent. 

Fitz looked around calmly. “So,” he said conversationally. “Who’s next?”

[epic-kotlc-crossover]

The Challenge

WE ARE SO BACK!!!

welcome to the Ithaca saga!! (the last one...) hope you enjoy and let us know what you think :))

@ham-cheese-toastie @myfairkatiecat @bookwormgirl123 @the-soul-detectives @justalunaticfangirl

@sombrathedragon

Sophie sighed, hands stilling on her loom. Outside, there were the loud, angry, hollers that she’d—somehow—grown used to.

The suitors didn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon, and whatever Marella or Sophie tried to do only made them even more determined to have Sophie’s hand in marriage.

(They also refused to acknowledge that her hand was already taken, and she had a husband, and no he wasn’t dead). 

The only reason they—and mainly Fintain—had remained courteous was because she was weaving her husband’s shroud for his funeral.

(Which she firmly believed he didn’t need to have. He was coming back. And that was why, every night, she undid her work, because she could hold them off until he came back. And he would.) 

(Even though his transmissions had stopped ten years ago. Even though she couldn’t find his mind anymore. Even though she’d seen a raging storm ten years ago. Even though she’d seen his boat in the middle of that storm.

He’d be the type of person to be able to survive that. Sophie hoped, at least.)

“I never thought I’d have to resort to this,” Sophie whispered. Nine years was a long time for a burial shroud to be made—and the suitors were getting antsy. And dangerous, Marrella being a prime example of that.

The girl had had to go with a broken nose to her diplomatic mission, something Sophie didn't envy.

She rested her forehead on her half-finished shroud, wishing she could be out with Fitz, to help him get home. 

To be able to see him again.

Just to know if he was safe. What Sophie would do for one sign that he was home, that she could go off at those suitors (or for him to kill them. The only reason that she hadn’t done that herself was that they were technically guests in her home. And she can’t really excuse killing guests, no matter how annoying they are. Stupid etiquette.)

She straightened up suddenly, remembering a storm that had woken her up the night before. It seemed…divine, almost. Too close to the shore to be a regular storm, and it started and disappeared way too quickly.

Could Fitz…?

Sophie got to her feel briskly, heartbeat pounding in her ears. She took yarn from her lap with shaking hands, placing it back on the chair. The air had changed, even, with a slight charge that didn't stop the swelling of pure hope in her chest.

(She shouldn’t get her hopes up. She shouldn’t. The storm could be a coincidence, though she doubted it. Sophie Foster knew her husband, even if he’d been away from home for two decades. He couldn't have changed that much.)

“Is it time for the challenge to be arranged?” She whispered to herself, hardly believing the words. 

Sophie needed to buy Fitz a little more time—enough for him to do whatever he was planning. As she left her room, she grabbed his old bow, a plan forming in her mind. 

As she walked, she called for twelve axes to be brought to the main courtyard.

“Time is running out!” The suitors roared when they saw her. Their leader, Fintan (was he their leader?), grinned, one that sent shivers down her spine. “Time to choose who will be the man of the house,” He called out. Sophie felt a surge of fury. There already is one.

She cleared her throat, calling the suitor’s attention to her. Their stares quickly made her uncomfortable, but Sophie pulled herself up and issued the challenge. To buy Fitz some time. “Whoever can string my husband’s old bow and shoot it through twelve axe-heads cleanly—” she gestured to a line of axes, (which she had chosen specifically for the small size of the holes), and grinned slightly, “Will be the new king, sit down at the throne, and rule with me as their queen.”

The self-confident smiles on most of the suitor’s faces had faded slightly, and Sophie reveled in it. “Only let the arrow go when you trust your aim, because I would rather die than spend my life with someone lesser.” She cocked her head and grinned again, placing the bow on the ground. 

As she walked away, the suitors started shouting again—only this time between each other—looking for someone to string the bow. I’m waiting for you Fitz, please be here, somewhere. She sent out the message as far as she could looking for that familiar glimmer.

[epic-kotlc-crossover]

praying for whichever one of you ends up writing ‘hold them down’ 🙏 good luck, you’re stronger than I am

Hehe cricket (me) wrote that >:) @nowjumpinthewater did I do a good job 👀

[epic-kotlc-crossover]

Heyy it's been a while since we've posted here but I had an idea for what to do once Ithica comes out...

[epic-kotlc-crossover]

AHHHHHH IM EXCITED FOR THE KOTLC ITHACA SAGAAAAAAAA (/not rushing take your dear, sweet time <3)

we're gonna get writing soon!!

quick note to anyone who sees this- we're calling the song 'Odysseus' King instead, because... well. we can't exactly call it Fitz TT

[epic-kotlc-crossover]

not me simping for calypso AND linh 😭 fitz sir i’ll take her off your hands…

THAT IS SO REAL HONESTLY

[epic-kotlc-crossover]

Hello Tis I

The Random Question Asker

Who's Perimedes and Elpenor here?

unnamed person #1&2

but with this new thing we’re working on, they might get names!!!

[epic-kotlc-crossover]

I am begging you guys to write an excerpt based on that parody animatic where Antinous throws a birthday party for Telemachus

oh???? @ilikebookssomuch that would be cool

what anamatic though :3

[epic-kotlc-crossover]

Six Hundred Strike

last chapter of the vengeance saga! we won't see you again until Ithaca comes out 😭 -rania

we're so glad you all read this!! -cricket

@ham-cheese-toastie @myfairkatiecat @bookwormgirl123 @myfairkatiecat @justalunaticfangirl

@thesfromhms

When Fitz emerged from the water, he felt renewed. As though he’d died and become something more. “I don’t think so you seem to get it!” He shouted at Poseidon. “I can’t afford to die, 'cause I will get back to Marella! And I will get back to my WIFE!”

He felt a power surge through him, and he somehow rose up out of the waves, floating in midair. Then he realized that the wind bag from Hermes was wide open, spilling gusts into the air. Oh well. Might as well use this to my advantage.

He flew up until he was eye-level with the sea god, then shouted,  “I’m doing this for my friends! Every one of my comrades, almost all of whom were slaughtered by your hand!” When he said that, he could almost hear the sounds of his crew: battle cries, laughter, weapons clanking together, and late-night stories of monsters. 

“You idiot,” Posiedon growled. “Can’t you see your mistake? You’ve already lost, all because you opened that bag. Hermes told you to keep my storm trapped, but you didn’t listen. Now you’ll never get back to your home!”

Rage burned Fitz’s eyes, making him see red. “You’re going to call off that storm.” It was an order, not a request. 

Poseidon barked out a laugh. “Or what? You can’t kill me.”

“Exactly.”

Fitz gestured to the fallen trident. "You dropped this." And, before Poseidon could do anything, he snatched it up.

Flying over to him, Fitz kicked the god in the chest and forced him onto the ground, a loud oof escaping him. He got the trident in position, aimed, and...

“How does it feel to be helpless?” Fitz stabbed the god, relishing in the scream he let out. Pulling out the trident felt oddly satisfying, and he stopped to think for a moment.

How far had he gone that he was kind of enjoying this? Dex would… Fitz shook his head sharply and focused on the droplets of ichor running down the prongs. Dex had been dead for a decade. Fitz was still alive.

Fitz had to live.

“How does it feel to know pain? I watched all my friends die in horror!” Fitz’s voice cracked. “Crying and calling their captain—me—in vain,” Poseidon let out another ear-wrenching scream, blue hair splayed behind him.

“Look what you’ve turned me into,” Fitz’s breath shuddered. “Look what I’ve become.” He gestured to the trident embedded in the god’s chest, covered in golden liquid. “You’re trying to kill me.” Fitz’s voice lowered to a whisper. “Haven’t I suffered enough?”

"Stop!"

Poseidon lifted a shaking hand, eyes so wide in his desperation that Fitz could almost see his reflection in the god’s inky black eyes. “Stop…please.”

Fitz cocked his head, a surge of power going through him. Poseidon, a god, was begging him, a mortal, for mercy.

He grinned and pushed the trident deeper. Poseidon's arm slackened and he cried out in pain. “You didn’t stop when I begged you. Told me to close my heart! Weren't you the one who said that ruthlessness is mercy?” As he lifted the weapon out, the god let out another cry of pain. 

“You... monster…” Poseidon’s breath became shallow.

Fitz moved to push the trident down again, but the god interrupted him. “Alright! Fine.” His eyes screwed up like it physically pained him to admit defeat-or maybe it was the wounds. Fitz smiled. “I’ll call the storm off.”

Satisfied, Fitz dropped the trident on the ground. The sea god had dozens of wounds, bleeding golden ichor into the ocean. He looked like he should be dead, given how sliced up he was. But gods can't die.

Fitz finally, finally, turned towards the direction of Ithaca. Home. At last. 

“How will you sleep at night?” Poseidon’s voice, dark with pain and anger, made Fitz stop. He turned back to the god and flashed a cocky smile, lifting one eyebrow.

“Next to my wife.”

He continued rowing back to his kingdom, leaving Poseidon to bleed out behind him.

[epic-kotlc-crossover]

Get In the Water

hehehehehehehe >:)

@ham-cheese-toastie @myfairkatiecat @bookwormgirl123 @myfairkatiecat @justalunaticfangirl

@thesfromhms

Fitz could see his home, so close. Only a few more hours. Marella. Sophie. His kingdom. The only thing missing would be... Keefe. But Fitz shoved that thought aside, rowing faster and faster. Nothing was going to stop him now.

The shoreline grew closer and closer, and he could see the outline of the palace. But then a strange sensation came over him. The sounds of the sea faded away, and the raft began moving backward.

What?

"No," he whispered. He strained against the tide, but all his strength couldn't stop his boat from reversing. Ithica was fading back into the horizon faster and faster and faster-- until everything stopped. His kingdom was just out of sight. Fitz had a sinking feeling in his gut. Slowly, he turned around, dreading what he would find. "NO!"

A figure stood on top of the water, long blue hair flowing around his face like water. He had seaweed in his blue beard and a shell-encrusted chiton. The figure had a long golden trident grasped in one hand.

“There you are. Coward.”

Fitz recognized the voice immediately. Poseidon had found him, though Fitz had never seen him in his human form.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for years. This is the perfect place to strike. With your home so close, and your wife just beyond these shores.”

No, no, no, Fitz thought, panicking. Poseidon would never let him go. 

“You see, I’ve got a reputation. I can’t let the world think I’m merciful. Now get in the water.”

The waves seemed to beckon Fitz closer. But he couldn’t step off of the raft. Not ever.

“Get in the water. Or I’ll make the tide so high that all of Ithica will drown.” 

“Wait,” Fitz pleaded. “Stop this. Please.”

“I’ll make tidal waves so tall that both your wife and your daughter will die.”

“No!”

“Get in the water! Do you think I’m lying? You have lived more than enough. If you don’t get in the water, I’ll take Marella and gouge her eyes out. Unless you choose to die.” Poseidon sounded so angry. Deadly. Fitz knew he wouldn’t hesitate to make good on his threats.

Would he die to save Sophie? Even after spending twenty years just trying to see her again? It was like when Zeus told him to choose. This time it was him… or his family and kingdom.

“Aren’t you tired? It’s been ten years. How long will this grudge last? We’re both grieving. Why not just leave this here and just go home?”

“I can’t.”

“Maybe you could learn to forgive?” Fitz tried. 

Poseidon considered that for a moment. Then he raised his trident and muttered, “No.”

The sea seemed to rise up around the god, encasing him in swirling water. The sky darkened, whirlpools forming everywhere Fitz looked. Poseidon grew taller and taller, and soon he was a hulking figure made of seawater. It looked like the ocean had grown a person fifty feet tall and given it a massive golden trident.

Giant waves crashed over Fitz's raft, soaking him instantly. Over the roar of the storm, he could hear the god yelling.

“Ruthlessness is… Mercy upon… Ourselves! DIE!”

With every word Fitz was dragged underwater a little more, until he felt the tip of the trident pushing him deeper and deeper, sinking lower and lower. Fitz's eyes stung and he couldn’t hold his breath for much longer. Soon the last bubble of air escaped his lungs and he slowly sank to the depths. 

You can relax, my friend. Dex? A ghostly form appeared by Fitz’s side, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the surface.

I can tell you’re getting nervous.

Look at all we’ve lost and all we’ve learned.

…Keefe? Ice-blue eyes and a lopsided grin came in to focus on Fitz’s other side. Keefe's trademark blond hair looked perfect, so different from when FItz had seen him last. The storm, the lightning... 

I’ll stay in your heart. That was Mom. Fitz held back a sob. 

Together the ghosts pushed him up, up, up out of the water. Before they vanished, they all promised one thing: Fitz, we’re waiting on you.

[epic-kotlc-crossover]

Charybdis

this has been stuck in my head for days

enjoy :))))

@thesfromhms @myfairkatiecat @bookwormgirl123 @ham-cheese-toastie @sombrathedragon

@justalunaticfangirl

Fitz must’ve been rowing for days on end, and he was honestly getting sick of only seeing the sea. Endless water, water, rocking, and more water. He squinted into the distance, trying and hoping to see Ithaca.

Nothing. Fitz sighed. There had been nothing for ages, and doubt was growing in the back of his mind that—wait.

In the distance—was that Ithaca? Ignoring his screaming arms, Fitz rowed faster and faster. Full speed ahead, he told himself. You’re so close. He could hardly keep a wide grin off of his face. Twenty years.. Twenty years and he was home. 

As Fitz neared the island, he noticed something really weird. Instead of slowly making out beaches and people and ships, the mass stayed dark. In fact, it almost looked…

Animal. 

All of Fitz’s excitement disappeared in one fell swoop, and he quickly stopped rowing, hoping it hadn’t noticed him.

For a few tense minutes, he waited with his breath stuck in his throat before deciding to start moving again. He couldn’t afford to go around and lose track of the direction he’d been moving in. The sun was just peaking in the sky; it would be hours before he could see the north star again and who knows how far off track he’d be by then? 

As he grew closer, the creature noticed him, and lifted its head up, revealing a large, circular, mouth with thousands upon thousands of teeth. 

Charybdis. “You must be who Hermes mentioned!” Fitz called out. “A monster here to block my way.” It let out a roar, and dived into the water, narrowly missing Fitz. 

Row, row, row. He gritted his teeth, heart pounding, and yelled again, “Bring it on!” As it lifted its head out of the water and aimed to strike again, Fitz rowed and pushed because he could not die now. Not when Sophie was so close. Not when Marella was right there.

“I know your tactics,” Fitz knew that talking out loud made him seem insane, but there was no one here to judge and it was honestly the only thing keeping him together. “When you swallow, you create whirlpools that attract your prey. But,” Charybdis slammed into the water once more, a little too close to comfort for Fitz. Shit. 

“If I avoid you for long enough, you’ll need to spit out all that water or it will destroy you!”

Whirlpool after whirlpool after whirlpool came and went, and Fitz could feel a bout of nausea coming up. Charybdis let out one last scream and a geyser of water shot out of its mouth. It collapsed into the water, drenching Fitz and his boat.

He collapsed, finally, into his boat and laughter bubbled out of him. He dragged his hands over his face, the salt stinging his eyes. He was done. Fitz could go home.

Fitz braced himself on his elbows, and looked over the sea. In the distance..

There was an island. There was Ithaca. He could go home.

[epic-kotlc-crossover]

Dangerous

presenting: my favorite vengeance saga song!!!

@thesfromhms @myfairkatiecat @bookwormgirl123 @sombrathedragon @justalunaticfangirl

@ham-cheese-toastie

Fitz stared out into the sea belatedly. Escaping Linh’s island should’ve been exhilarating, freeing, but all he felt was emptiness. Seven more years had been wasted. 

Marella would be twenty. Sophie would’ve moved on, especially after ten years without him reaching out telepathically.

And his brothers—his family for thirteen years—were all dead. “Six hundred deaths under my command.” Fitz squeezed his eyes shut, tears prickling. Because I had one goal in mind.

No fleet. No friends.The raft beneath him swayed slightly in the sea, little flecks or salt flying into his face.

“How will I reach Ithaca?” He’d left Linh because of a god. He’d probably only survived the war because of a god. And the only god near him right now hated his guts and would probably kill Fitz the first chance he got.

Fitz looked up suddenly, scrutinizing the surrounding sea. Poseidon hadn’t shown up at all, which was really… weird. He’d expected the god to be on him the minute he left the shore.

Laughter echoed around him, and Fitz blanched. Oh no. Oh no, no, no, no, no, not him. Anyone but him.

“All you have to do is not open the bag this time, Fitzy.” Hermes flew in a circle around him, dark eyes scrutinizing. 

“Hermes?” Fitz whispered. Though the god annoyed him, it was refreshing to see a familiar face. 

This sent Hermes into a fit of giggles, his sunglasses slipping precariously down his nose. “Hello, old friend!” Did he—?

Did Hermes save him? Fitz hadn’t realized the god counted him as a friend, but he wasn’t complaining. “Were you the person Linh talked to?” Thank you, thank you, thank you. “Thank you,” Fitz told him, a waver in his voice that he tried desperately to hide. Hermes had probably saved him from spending the rest of his life with a woman who liked him way too much. 

To his surprise, Hermes shook his head,a flash of guilt crossing his face. “No, but someone’s given you one last chance to make it back home!” The god waved his right hand, and a very familiar bag appeared.

Keefe’s face flashed before Fitz’s eyes, and he could feel himself paling. No… “If you make it back home, you’ll be able to wash the blood off your hands, and I know you will.” The god looked solemn for the first time since Fitz had known him.

“If your plan’s so great, then why’d you wait to say it?” Fitz asked. That seemed to shake Hermes out of whatever was going on, and he started laughing. Again.

“It’s a little dangerous, my friend!” Hermes clapped Fitz on the back, making him stumble forward, almost into the water. He looked back up at the god, brushing hair out of his eyes. Really? We’re on a tiny raft.

“You can’t play safe in this situation.” Hermes told him, a grin playing at his lips. “You’ll need a whole…” He gestured toward Fitz. “Mindset change to be able to go through with it.”

I can do it, Fitz thought. 

“You’ll need to put everything on the line, Fitzy.” Sometime when he was talking, Hermes stopped floating and stood in front of him, swaying along with the waves.

Fitz nodded. I’m ready for this. “Alright. I’m in, what do I need to do?” Hermes grinned, and spread his arms out. 

“Follow the north star until you think you’ve gone enough, then keep going. You’ll need to go through uncharted waters, where danger greets you with a smile. And—” Hermes giggled, the wings on his shoes flapping and taking him airborne once again. “It’s going to be dangerous, my friend!” The god wiggled around in the air, spinning in circles around Fitz. 

He blinked. “Are you–? Are you actually dancing?” Hermes laughed, and brought out the wind bag again. The glowing blue designs looked… eerie, and not just because of the memories of–the memories associated with it. 

“We went through so much to get this…” We? Fitz mused. Probably the same person who helped free me. “Remember, you need to keep the bag closed if you want to get home! Letting out the storm inside would ruin your last chance to return to your wife.”

This was a cruel joke. Fitz swallowed, feeling a lump in his throat. Mustering up all his courage, he flashed a cocky grin. “Don’t you know danger is my friend? I’ve trained for this,” he gestured to the wind bag, “for my whole life. I have to get home, I’ll be ruthless and put an end to this foolishness.” 

I have to see Sophie. “Don’t you know that I’m dangerous?” Fitz took the bag from Hermes. The storm inside seemed to fight with him with every movement, trying to get out. “And, Hermes?” The god paused, halfway in the air. “Thank you.” He’d saved his life twice now. 

Hermes laughed. “Don’t thank me, friend. I’m not the one who fought for you.” He gave Fitz a two fingered salute and one last smile before turning around and shooting up into the sky.

Fitz stood there, staring at the sea and wondering if he’d be able to survive this one last obstacle. 

Shaking his head and sighing, Fitz secured the bag to the raft and started rowing.