As Odysseus's crew continues their trip home, they battle a sudden and large storm before coming across a floating island in the sky. Recognizing the island as the home of the god Aeolus, Odysseus plans to climb up and ask the god to help them out of the storm. Eurylochus, his second-in-command, expresses doubt that this plan will work. Odysseus harshly reminds him to follow orders and to not contradict him in front of the crew.
Upon reaching the island, Aeolus gives Odysseus a bag filled with the winds of the storm, enabling him to return home as long as it stays closed. Odysseus returns to his ship, but a rumor spreads among the crew that the bag contains treasure. Odysseus stays awake for nine days protecting it from his crew before he ultimately falls asleep and the bag is opened. Odysseus and Eurylochus close the bag before all of the wind escapes, but the fleet is blown into the land of the Laestrygonians.
The ocean god Poseidon appears, revealing himself as Polyphemus's father. He vows vengeance for Odysseus's attack against his son, stating that even killing the Cyclops would have avoided his wrath. Poseidon sinks all of the fleet's ships except for Odysseus's, leaving only forty-three men alive. Before Poseidon can destroy the last ship, Odysseus reopens the wind bag, releasing the last of the storm inside and blowing his ship to safety.
