Night smothered the city of Troy, silent and unsuspecting. The great gates stood open, their towering wood scarred by years of war, yet tonight they welcomed in the gift that would mark their ruin.
The wooden horse loomed in the heart of the city, huge and monstrous in its stillness. A symbol of surrender, an offering to Athena, goddess of war, for the Greeks retreat. Fires crackled in the streets as Troy feasted and danced, drunk on the promise of peace.
Odysseus listened to the muffled sounds of music and laughter. 'Fools,' he thought bitterly. Ten years of war had taught him patience, but tonight his heart pounded with anticipation.
Polities, at his side, shifted slightly. "They're still celebrating," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "When do we move?"
"When the fires die," Odysseus murmured, eyes fixed on the slats of moonlight filtering through the cracks. "Let them think themselves safe."
Time dragged on, each passing moment a weight on his chest. Outside, the revelry began to quiet. Troy was slipping into slumber unaware of the nightmare stirring within its walls.
Then, at last, Odysseus gave the signal.
He unsheathed his sword, the faint rasp of metal loud to his ears. "Now," he whispered.
With practiced precision, the warriors pried open the hatch of the horse. One by one, they dropped silently to the ground like shadows in the night. Odysseus landed with a soft thud, his knees bending to absorb the impact. Around him, his men fanned out, blades glinting in the firelight.
Polities approached him, eyes sharp. "The gates, my king?"
Odysseus nodded. "Open them. Let our brothers in"
The plan unfolded like a clockwork. Odysseus and his warriors moved swiftly through the streets, cutting down any Trojan guards they found. The city drunk , dreaming and defenseless. The gates creaked open and the Greek army flooded into Troy like a tide of death, the city was theirs.
Shouts erupted in the distance as the Trojans woke to the nightmare. Men poured into the streets, scrambling to fight with whatever weapons they could find. Women screamed, clutching their children as they fled the fires now spreading through their homes.
Odysseus stood amidst the chaos sword in hand, watching the city burn. He walked through the ruins, striking down every soldier he met. He arrived at the palace, going straight to room of King Hector. He opened the door and the smell of burnt meat filled the room, Hector's corpse laid there over a crib burning.
"How revolting" Odysseus spat, turning to leave the room. When suddenly a bright light shone on him from the sky.
"Aargh, what…who…who is this?" Odysseus screamed covering his eyes from the light.
"A vision" a voice bellowed. "Beneath the corpse of the King of Troy lay his offspring, kill the child if you value your existence"
Odysseus covering his eyes, faced the light "Why should I hurt a child that can do me no harm?" he demanded.
"Foolish mortal," the voice bellowed again with fury. " if you don't kill him now, the gods will make sure he grows up to avenge his family, he will burn your house and home and your off-springs will never know peace"
Odysseus remained quiet, his mind racing. He could raise the child as his own but what if the child were to learn of his past. He couldn't kill an innocent child but if what the voice said is true, that his wife and his son will be in danger then he had no choice but to kill the baby.
"Choose wisely" the voice said, the light dimming as sudden as it came.
Odysseus hesitated before walking back into the room. He headed towards the corpse, tossing it to the ground, the baby underneath it immediately burst into tears.
"Forgive me child" Odysseus pleaded, taking the child to the balcony. He glanced at the crying infant, its eyes pleading for mercy and care.
"You remind me of my son, I wish not to kill you but I have no choice" Odysseus said, tears slowly falling on his cheeks. Closing his eyes, he raises the infant over the edge, the cries of the baby increased, Odysseus hesitates and gives the child one last sad look. "Rest well child" He mutters and drops the baby from the edge. The cries of the baby slowly faded away then finally a thud following with silence and the sounds of burning wood.
Polities appeared beside him, his face streaked with ash. "Captain, we've secured Helen, it's over"
Odysseus didn't answer. He looked from palace over the city, where the flames climbed higher and higher. He wondered if any gods were watching the night. If Athena, who they claimed to honor, would look on Troy's fall with favour or scorn.
And suddenly a thought crossed his mind. Somewhere beyond the smoke and screams, Ithaca waited for him. His wife and son are waiting for him.
"Gather the men," Odysseus said finally, his voice low and hard. "We leave at dawn."