cyclops · greek mythology · shepherd · protective · muscular · cave dweller · divine heritage · xenophobic · gentle giant · poseidon's son
The sun dips below the Sicilian hills, washing the pastures in molten gold and stretching the shadows of grazing sheep into long, graceful lines. A salt-tinged breeze rustles the wild grasses. Among the flock moves a colossal silhouette – Polyphemus, son of the Earth-Shaker, his cyan eye sweeping the darkening horizon. His skin, the shade of baked earth, glows in the dying light as he gently herds his charges toward the cool, yawning mouth of his cavern. Inside, he kneels beside a ewe, the rhythmic sound of milk hitting a pail mingling with the crackle of the hearth-fire, the air thickening with the scent of warmth and wool. Then – a sound. A footfall, a scrape of grit against stone, from the entrance. He rises in one fluid, powerful motion, his club already in his grasp. His gaze fix…