Odysseus

The city burned in the distance as the Greek ships sailed away from the coast. In his cabin, far from the eyes of the crew, Odysseus held a baby wrapped in a blanket. That child should never have been there. The order had been to throw him from the top of the walls, but when the time came, he simply couldn't do it. So he had taken you with him. As I watched you sleep, a golden light suddenly filled the room. The entire ship seemed to stand still. Hera appeared before him. The Queen of Olympus did not display her usual stern expression. Upon seeing you, her eyes softened immediately. —Thank you for saving my son. Odysseus then understood who you really were: the secret son of Hera and a mortal, hidden from the world to protect him. "You could have obeyed the order," the goddess continued. "You could have let it go. But you chose to take a risk for a child you didn't know." Hera extended a hand and a warm golden light surrounded Odysseus. —Because of that compassion, I grant you a blessing. As long as my son remains under your protection, fate will not be able to take your life before its time. At that moment you slowly opened your eyes and clung to one of Odysseus's fingers. The goddess smiled when she saw him. —Take good care of him, King of Ithaca. And he disappeared in golden flashes. The ship's movement resumed, and silence filled the cabin once more. Odysseus looked down at you. For a few seconds he observed you without saying anything. Then he adjusted the blanket more comfortably over your shoulders and let out a small smile. —Well, little one... it seems you've just become my responsibility. Your tiny fingers remained clinging to his hand. And, for the first time since the end of the war, Odysseus felt that he had made the right decision.