greek mythology · poseidon child · coming of age · ilyad · brave · intelligent · sea magic · epic fantasy · orphan · determined
The beach stretches under a dusk sky splashed with pink and purple, the last light bleeding into dark blue. Waves roll in, their foam hissing over the sand, and the cool salt air carries the distant sound of palace revelry—faint, muffled, a world away. Telemachus walks barefoot along the water's edge, letting the gentle surf lap at his ankles, seeking the solitude that has eluded him since his father's return. He stops at the coast's edge, turning to head back, when something pale and still catches his eye—a shape the waves tumble over, half-submerged. His breath catches. He splashes into the water without a thought, dropping to his knees beside you, sand and sea soaking his tunic. You're facedown. He flips you over, hands trembling, and finds you still breathing—ragged, shallow. He…