~Hades~

The ship limped into view of the island like a wounded beast, its sails patched and its hull scarred from the tempest and the giants' stones. A thick forest cloaked the land ahead, its trees swaying lazily in the salty breeze as if mocking our struggle. It was beautiful, serene even—a stark contrast to the chaos of our journey so far. But beauty, I knew, often concealed danger.

Circe's island.

A familiar thrill coursed through me as I took in the sight. Aeaea, the home of Circe—a sorceress of remarkable skill, trained by none other than my wife, Hecate. Circe's magic was potent, her domain a sanctuary of otherworldly power. But more than that, this place had always been welcoming to me. Circe revered Hecate as her mentor, and through that bond, she and the nymphs who served her had come to worship me as well. It was no exaggeration to say I was a god here, in every sense of the word.

I smiled to myself, leaning casually against the ship's railing. It had been centuries since my last visit, but I doubted much had changed. Circe and her nymphs delighted in their secluded paradise, far removed from the squabbles of gods and mortals. This would be... entertaining.

The ship hit the shallows with a gentle scrape, and the men groaned as they prepared to disembark. They were ragged, bruised, and broken, their spirits fraying with each setback. Odysseus stood at the bow, his expression thoughtful as he surveyed the island. The man had an uncanny knack for sensing danger, though his pride often blinded him to its full scope.

"Stay on guard," he said, his voice steady despite the weariness etched in his features. "We don't know what awaits us here."

I chuckled softly under my breath. "Oh, Odysseus," I murmured, "you have no idea."

As we ventured deeper into the island, the forest opened up to reveal Circe's palace. It was as breathtaking as I remembered, its polished stone walls shimmering in the sunlight, its gardens teeming with vibrant blooms and lush greenery. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and flowers, a testament to Circe's mastery over nature.

Before the men could react, a group of nymphs emerged from the palace, their laughter light and musical. They moved with effortless grace, their beauty so radiant it left the crew slack-jawed.

"Welcome, weary travelers," one of them said, her voice warm and inviting. "You've come a long way. Rest and refresh yourselves. A feast awaits you."

The men, predictably, forgot all about Odysseus's warnings. Their weariness vanished as they followed the nymphs like moths to a flame, their steps eager. I lingered at the edge of the group, taking in the scene with a knowing smile.

"Perimedes," one of the nymphs whispered as she passed me, her eyes gleaming with recognition. "Welcome back, my lord."

I inclined my head slightly, a gesture of acknowledgment. "Keep the act for now," I said softly. "The mortals mustn't suspect a thing."

She nodded, her expression obedient, and moved to join her sisters.

Inside the palace, Circe awaited us, seated at the head of a grand table laden with food and drink. She rose gracefully as we entered, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders, her robes shimmering like sunlight on water. Her gaze swept over the men before landing on me, a flicker of amusement crossing her face.

"Welcome, travelers," she said, her voice smooth as silk. "You've endured much to reach my island. Please, eat, drink, and rest. You are safe here."

Her words were a balm to the crew, who fell upon the feast with hunger. I, however didn't eat and instead looked right at her.

"Circe," I said softly, just for her ears. She flinched as she seemed to reconized my voice. 

Her lips curved into a sly smile. "Lord Hades," she murmured, her tone equal parts reverence and affection. "You always arrive when least expected. And yet, it is always a pleasure."

I leaned in slightly, my voice low. "The feeling is mutual. But for now, pretend I'm just another mortal. It's more amusing that way."

"As you wish, my lord," she replied, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

The feast proceeded as expected—until the men, greedy as ever, began to gorge themselves without restraint. Circe's magic worked swiftly, transforming them into pigs. The nymphs laughed as they herded the squealing animals into a pen, their delight unrestrained.

I remained where I was, watching with an air of detached amusement.

"You could stop this, you know," I said lightly.

Circe smirked, folding her arms. "And rob them of a better life? I think not."

"Yeah a life that will lead them to become a pork roast," I snorted, taking a sip from a goblet of wine one of the nymphs had brought me. "Hecate will be proud of what you have done here."

"Thank you Lord." 

Moments later, Odysseus stormed into the hall, his sword glinting in the torchlight, fury etched into every line of his face. His voice boomed like thunder as he confronted Circe.

"Release my men, witch, or face the wrath of Odysseus of Ithaca!" he bellowed, his words filled with raw determination.

Circe, seated at the head of her lavish table, turned to face him with an air of amused calm. She lifted her goblet of wine to her lips, her golden hair shimmering in the light, and smiled faintly.

"You mortals," she said, her tone dripping with amusement. "Always so dramatic. Do you truly think you can intimidate me in my own home?"

Odysseus stepped closer, gripping his sword tightly. "Your tricks won't work on me, Circe," he said, his voice steady. "Turn them back. Now."

Circe arched a delicate brow, intrigued by his confidence. "And why, pray tell, would I do that? What makes you so certain you're immune to my magic?"

Odysseus smirked, his defiance unwavering. "Try me, and you'll see. Hermes sends his regards."

The mention of Hermes made Circe's expression flicker, her amusement giving way to mild annoyance. She studied Odysseus for a moment, her sharp eyes narrowing.

"Ah," she said softly, "the moly." A sly smile crept across her lips. "So, the messenger god has taken an interest in your plight. Typical of him to meddle."

Her tone shifted, growing darker. "But even with Hermes's little gift, do you truly believe you're safe? Magic isn't the only weapon I possess, mortal."

"I believe in what I can see and what I can feel," Odysseus retorted, raising his sword. "And I see a witch who will soon regret underestimating me."

Circe laughed, a melodious yet chilling sound that echoed through the hall. "Oh, you're bold. I'll give you that. Very well, Odysseus. Let us test this so-called immunity."

She raised her hand, a faint glow surrounding her fingers as she whispered an incantation. A pulse of magic surged toward Odysseus, shimmering like a wave of light, but it dissipated the moment it touched him. The moly's protection held firm.

Circe's eyes widened slightly, though her surprise quickly gave way to begrudging admiration. "Impressive," she admitted, lowering her hand. "Perhaps you are more than the average mortal after all."

"Enough games," Odysseus said, his voice steady. "Release my men, or this ends poorly for you."

Circe stared at him for a long moment before letting out a resigned sigh. "Very well," she said, her voice laced with irritation. "You've proven your worth. Your men will be restored."

With a wave of her hand, the pigs began to shimmer, their forms shifting and stretching until they were once again human. The men collapsed to the floor, dazed and disoriented, their eyes darting around the room in confusion.

"You should be grateful," Circe said, her tone sharp. "It's not often I show mercy to those who invade my sanctuary uninvited."

Odysseus sheathed his sword, his gaze still wary. "Mercy or not, I'll not forget what you've done here. But perhaps there's more to gain from this meeting than vengeance."

Circe's lips curled into a small smile. "Clever words, Odysseus. Perhaps we can come to an understanding after all."

The restoration of the men brought a strange calm to the palace, though tension still lingered in the air. I watched from the shadows, a silent observer, as Circe and Odysseus sat across from each other, their conversation guarded but civil.

Later, as the men feasted and the nymphs tended to them, I joined Circe on the terrace overlooking the sea. She leaned against the railing, her golden hair glowing under the moonlight, and let out a soft sigh.

"Hermes, of all gods," she muttered, shaking her head. "Always meddling where he's not wanted."

"He has a habit of that," I said, stepping beside her. "But you handled yourself well, as always."

She glanced at me, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "It's not every day that a mortal bests me, even with divine intervention. I'll admit, Odysseus has piqued my interest."

"Careful," I said with a smirk. "He has a knack for making things... complicated."

Circe chuckled softly. "Don't they all?"

For a moment, we stood in comfortable silence, the sound of waves crashing against the shore filling the air. Then her expression grew more serious.

"I told him what he must do next," she said. "If he wishes to return home, he'll need to journey to the Underworld and seek the counsel of Tiresias."

I nodded, already anticipating the chaos his arrival would bring. "The dead don't give their secrets freely," I said. "He'll have to earn his answers."

Circe turned to me, her gaze thoughtful. "You'll watch over him, won't you? I know you can't resist getting involved."

I smiled faintly, the thought of the challenges ahead already forming in my mind. "Oh, you can count on it."