William was always of average intelligence; throughout his life, he consistently failed to make logical connections between different things. Even though his IQ test showed his IQ was above average, he never felt even remotely close to it. And he consumed a lot of media featuring geniuses or brilliant people, which provided him with a wealth of information on just how dangerous intelligence could be.
"Captain, what should we do now?"
William would attempt to gain the captain's favour by asking him for answers.
"We must persevere, my friend, home is still reachable, and the ship is still intact. We can make it."
Odysseus would reply calmly, still looking deep in thought. Before turning around and heading back to back to the ship, gesturing for Will to follow. And William would oblige.
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Once they arrived on the ship, which was made out of wood and was massive, housing enough space for 50-ish men to live on, The Captain would turn to William seriously and say:
"Perimedes, I know of a way to make it home, without sacrificing any more comrades. And most importantly, without having to deal with that pitchfork wielding psychopath."
William would wonder if Poseidon was just universally hated at this point.
"Very well captain, what is this plan of yours?"
William would reply with a hint of uncertainty, showing his nervousness on full display, but not for the reason Odysseus was thinking of, or so he hoped.
"We ask for the assistance of my mentor. It's been years since I last saw her, but she may be willing to help."
William would sigh internally, after all, his mentor was the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena. As if one genius wasn't enough. He had to go and bring a second one into the equation.
"Sounds good sir, how should we contact them?"
"Follow me."
Odysseus would climb to the crows nest of the ship, with a determined expression on his face, with William following, curiously.
Once they both reached the top, he would look towards the sky and bellow:
"Athena! I beg for your wisdom! Please, help us find a safe way home!"
"Apparently trying to beg for answers like his mentor was an AI chatobot was his strategy..." William would think to himself with a sense of relief.
After waiting for a while, the clouds shook and a piercing voice came down from the heavens above.
"Old friend, my only and brightest student. I see you're doing well. What's the situation?
The Greek Goddess of Wisdom, Athena, had descended to give her student some help.
"Athena, I have angered the sea god, Poseidon. And now there lies a storm preventing us from returning home, "He" should be scouring the seas around our homeland to find an opportunity to attack us aswell."
Odysseus would carefully explain their current predicament to Athena.
The illusory figure of a goddess clad in armor, would appear high in the skies, Athena. She would appear to think for a bit before saying:
"The key in your survival lies in not avoiding that pufferfish bodied squid, But in overcoming him. I will assist you in strategizing, my student."
William was learning alot of sea based insults these days.
"Excuse me, Goddess of Wisdom. Can I ask you a question?"
William decided to take the opportunity and get some information.
"What kind of person is the sea god, Poseidon?"
As a wise man once said, you must know your enemy and know yourself and you'll win or something along those lines William would think to himself.
Athena would turn his gaze to William, like a bird stalking it's prey. Her eyes were like daggers.
"He is a ruthless one alright. But he keeps to his principles always. That fishbone looking blobfish. However, you could always attempt to best him in combat, us gods can't exert our full power when we descend into the mortal realm. Our mortal incarnations can't withstand it. Which gives you a chance, little sun."
William would be slightly shocked, before regaining his composure. It was fair to say that the Goddess of Wisdom possessed a certain degree of Omniscience after all. It made sense that she was able to know about his deal with Helios.
Still it was a bit nerve wracking, even for someone like William. Nevertheless, it seemed that Athena had ascertained that William held no animosity towards Odysseus and so he was safe and allowed to keep participating in the journey. With Athena's tacit approval. William descended from the crow's nest along with Odysseus, getting prepared to set sail, for the first time, and also the last time.
"It's been a pleasure knowing you captain."
"Likewise."
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After they had gotten the ship moving, William bid the captain farewell on the deck of the ship and headed to the crewmate's quarters.
Once he arrived, he would take a look around the place, it was first time on a ship and he wanted to explore.
The crewmates quarters were massive, with rows and rows of cloth hammocks, enough to house about fifty men. The men he had gotten killed... Oh well, now wasn't the time to feel guilt so William continued observing.
William would do some basic stretches and exercising, in preparation for the fight ahead, it might not do much but every extra bit of strength would help!
Thanks to Helio's gift, William could turn light into enegy and photosynthesize like a plant, which meant he didn't have to worry about food at all, while his captain simply fished for food.
After finishing up his daily routine, he would sit down on the floor, legs crossed. With a gleeful smile on his face.
"I guess I should finally get around to that."
The smile would quickly turn into a line, as all emotion was sucked out of William's appearance. Seemingly becoming an entirely different person.
"I know you're listening, theres no point in pretending like you don't exist. Show yourself."
William would say calmly in his mind.
A strange voice would suddenly resound inside of Williams mind.
"I'm surprised it took you this long to figure me out, runt."