Summary Of Kharybdis Forsake A Hero's Life

Sing, Muse, sing of the child of Sacha who became a man as for his trials slayed the monstrous Kharybdis, bringing great relief to the gods. When his trials were done and gone, son of Sacha, favored of all the gods, procured a spot as an immortal, accompanying Hestia by the hearth. Why did the slayer of Kharybdis forsake a hero’s life, now a man?
Story:
When Sacha went off to meet the hideous Scylla, she left behind her son, Domos and her husband, Denis. With no promise of returning until she has freed her city from the evils of Scylla, Sacha set off. When Sacha had dealt her final blow with the help of Poseidon, Scylla left Sacha with these words “It all begins when youth has left you, then your people’s respect will turn to jealousy, and
finally the gods’ favor will run dry, and you will be left with a fate worse than mine.” Returning home, Sacha was greeted first by her son and husband. Although grateful she still lived, Sacha was troubled by the words of Scylla. With Scylla’s words resounding in her mind, Sacha, beloved of the gods, petitioned the gods for immortality for herself and her family, since she successfully unified Gilmanus. The gods, happily granted her request for immortality for her family and herself, but with a small alteration. The gods would only grant her son, Domos, immortality when he came of age and proved himself a worthy hero.
Domos spent his life knowing that he held two fates, one to be blessed with everlasting youth and immense kleos or to waste away in old age without never once proving himself worthy. Knowing that the island of Gilmanus would prosper under his parents’ protection, Domos set off to prove himself a worthy hero of Gilmanus like his mother before him. Before Domos began his journey, he prayed and sacrificed to his grandfather, Poseidon, for guidance and a safe journey. Poseidon heard Domos’ prayer and intended to grant his request as he loved Sacha, and Domos very much resembled his mother in archery skill and appearance. Thus, Poseidon visited Domos in a dream. In the dream, Poseidon told Domos that his fate was that of an immortal, and so he needed to journey east for the glory he sought, which would not be easily won. Domos thanked Poseidon and woke up early that morning to prepare for his journey. At mid-day, Sacha and all of Gilmanus saw Domos and his crew off, who then set their boat’s course east. He sailed for nine days with calm, strong winds, courtesy of Poseidon, but got no closer to any stretch of land or glory.
On the tenth day, Domos grew worried as the sky turned black and sea turned unforgiving. He grew even more worried when the ship lurched forward, no longer at the control of the helmsman. With rocks coming into view, Domos spoke to his crew and said “Men, do not fret as we have lived fortunate lives, full of peace. Be strong as we approach the treacherous rocks so that you may enter the house of Hades as heroes and not cowards.” As they neared, Domos noted the remnants of past ships floating haphazardly in the sea. Without control of the ship, the helmsman was unable to steer clear of the destructive debris and the men were struck helpless as the ship continued its journey toward the rocks. And so, with each new violent wave, the battered state of the ship progressed, causing alarm. Fear struck Domos’ heart, but, he as the son of Sacha could not let his crew know that he was afraid for what may come.
As the ship rocked nearer, the men had to cover their ears, as they heard an immense noise emanating from the rocky waters below that sounded as though a person has inhaled and sucked in air. Domos’ worst fear was realized as the ship got caught in a whirlpool and if he were right about his suspicions that this was no ordinary whirlpool, the gods could not rescue him. So as the ship spun around, Domos and his men shot spear after spear and arrow after arrow into the swirling abyss. Domos notched another arrow in his bow when he heard a voice, croaky and livid, radiate from the whirlpool. The voice, although strained, spoke “Ah, the son of Sacha, you shall pay on behalf of your mother for the slaying of Scylla, who was dear to me. The gods cannot assist you here in physical form, but before I kill you all, I will allow you one last prayer to a god of your choice. For I am Kharybdis, daughter of the great mother, Gaea, and it matters not that you, son of Sacha, are destined for an immortal life, but as you are no hero yet, you shall die having drowned and without kleos.”
Domos, taking great care with his words for his and his men’s safety, said, “Let it be known that Kharybdis, daughter of the great mother, Gaea, is merciful and I am grateful that you chose to allow us one last prayer to the almighty gods, even though this is your domain.” So Domos spoke and Kharybdis, now pleased, slowed her waters to grant them time. And so with his notched bow and arrow, Domos sent a final prayer to the far-shooter Apollo that his last arrow strike a mortal blow against Kharybdis, so that they may have a chance to live. With that utterance of his prayer, Domos sent the arrow into the eye of the whirlpool. Kharybdis let out a guttural scream, cursing Domos and the gods. The whirlpool sped up, which caused Domos to yell to his men to row in the opposite direction. Free from the major area of impact, Domos and his men watched as Kharybdis convulsed and shot up long-lost debris. The ship, already damaged, was bombarded by the debris, cleaving the entire ship into pieces, some bigger than others. Thus, Domos no longer had a ship and many of his men perished into the deep sea, deprived of the rites of a proper burial. Domos, full of sorrow for his fallen crew members, continued watching from a makeshift raft of the biggest remnant of his destroyed ship as Kharybdis let out her final scream and the ocean fell silent, becoming peaceful.
When the ocean fell silent, Poseidon appeared before Domos and offered his thanks for returning Kharybdis’ domain over to his power. Domos simply nodded, resolved in his decision to return to Gilmanus, but Poseidon continued his talk, telling Domos he needed to visit Sicily. Poseidon was adamant that Domos go to Sicily to properly thank Apollo for his help in killing Kharybdis because Zeus had decreed Apollo be confined in physical and spiritual presence to Sicily lest he disregard anymore of Zeus’ orders. With his makeshift raft and only a few of his crew left, Domos proceeded east toward Sicily, under Poseidon’s protection.
Reaching the land of Sicily and docking their raft, Domos went to search for the temple of Apollo. After searching, Domos found the temple of Apollo on the highest hill and entered the temple. In the temple under the statue of Apollo sat Apollo himself. Domos went up to him and kneeled before him, crying out his thanks. To Apollo, Domos said “Lord Apollo the far-shooter, without your help, I would not be kneeling before you, full of life, to return home with glory nor have any men to follow my lead.” Apollo accepted his thanks and spoke, “Domos, son of Sacha, you have given me great pleasure as you have fulfilled my duty to kill Kharybdis as willed by Zeus as it was only fated that her demise would be met when gods and humans worked in tandem together. Thus, may my gratitude show every time you notch a bow and always hit your target. Now that you have awarded me proper sacrifices and thanks, your journey home will be smooth as Poseidon still wills it.”
Setting out for home, Domos and the rest of his crew sailed on the small makeshift raft for ten days, lamenting over their fallen countrymen.
On the eleventh day, they reached Gilmanus, greeted by Sacha and all of Gilmanus for their homecoming. Once they had docked, the entire island partook in a magnificent feast for the fortunate return of Domos and his men and prepared for the arrival of the gods by sacrificing animals in their name. At the end of the feast, the gods descended from Mount Olympus to bestow Domos with immortality. Zeus spoke, “Domos, slayer of the monstrous Kharybdis, your heroic deeds have earned you unlimited kleos and a place amongst the immortal beings.” Domos thanked Zeus and the gods and expressed in words his request, “Mighty Zeus, I have lived a hero’s life, and now know that it is a terrible burden that I cannot bear for I still live whilst my loyal men are left unburied upon the sea’s floor. Although grateful that you, Lord of men, have bestowed the greatest honor upon me, I only wish to spend my never-ending days beside my home’s hearth, relishing in domesticity, like that of Hestia. I leave the leadership I have acquired, the archery skills, and my newfound kleos behind even though that may mark me a man. However, I am a man because I choose peace over war and sorrow, and shall leave the city to be led by my mother, Sacha, slayer of Scylla, who is far stronger than I. And I, Domos, slayer of Kharybdis, have fulfilled one fate of mine and now wish to be Domos of the hearth.” Zeus responded, “Then so shall it be, from this day forth, the man once known as Domos, slayer of Kharybdis, be known as Domos of the
hearth.”