Eugenia had thought that coming to Athens to get a boat was her goal. The only way to return to Sarpedon was to come along with the Eretrians and get a vessel. She could not ignore the plight of her friends and thus got caught up in the machinations of someone connected to her past. Hermes had informed her of a trial, but he never said what it was. Indeed, it was just her optimism that made her assume she could have returned so easily.

With such troubled thoughts she moved along the harbor and eventually walked into someone familiar.

“Lady Eugenia!” Therses looked up from the rope he had been tying and greeted her with deep reverence. The young man had been busy too, but now he was here to support Zosimos who she could hear talking loudly to another man in the back.

“There is no need to be so formal, Therses.” She felt rather unsettled by the way he seemed to look up to her.

“But a chosen priestess deserves all of my respect.” He replied seriously. What he had witnessed at the palace had truly moved him. This is why Eugenia hated to be seen as special.

“I see.” She replied with a downcast expression.

“…w-well, you are still a friend though, so it would be proper courtesy to treat you as such.” He scratched his cheek and let go of the rope. “Good to see you again, Eugenia.”

“Likewise! What are you doing there?”

“I was just retying the rope for the boat. Atticans have an odd technique to it, although I think this merchant just had no idea what he was doing.” After seeing her dubious expression he hastily added: “But the boat is of the greatest quality. Your merchant friend has a good eye.”

She listened to Zosimos making a bunch of slick assurances and nodded. He was a man who could build a rudimentary boat on a small island and sail it through a deadly storm. No matter how much luck was on his side, there must have been some skill involved as well.

“The negotiations should be done in a bit. We will have to get the cargo ready after the coin is exchanged.”

“Cargo?”

“I don’t know how far your destination is, but without ample supplies the journey will be cut short.” Therses said seriously. “Father taught you this much, didn’t he?”

“Right.” She nodded frantically. It’s not that she had forgotten the sailing lessons, but her mind was just too preoccupied right now.

“Say.” He spoke up hesitantly. “I know that you must return to your home. See the person that matters most to you again. I understand that very well, because I want to go back home one day too. Mother and father must be worried sick right now.” He rubbed his neck awkwardly. “But after you settled your affairs, would it be too much to ask that you return to Athens?”

“Huh?” Eugenia furrowed her brows. “Why do you say that?”

“I have been talking to the aristocrats as an ambassador for Eretria. Can you imagine? The son of a fisherman in the palace? Haha, it was nerve-wracking.” He exaggerated, as he seemed quite accepting of his role. “My education has paid off, to some degree at least. Well, all the talk inside the palace was quite enlightening. Athens is something special. And, uhm, you are too.”

“Therses…”

“Please hear me out. After you summoned Lady Athena the people are talking of you in the highest tones. Some are even requesting that you become the next grand priestess!”

“No way.” She turned her head away.

“I knew you would react that way, but why not? If it is your family, they could move to Athens with you! You could live a good life and help countless people.” He gestured strongly towards the Akropolis far in the distance.

“Lady Akacia would not agree.” She said defensively.

“Are you so certain of that? Have you asked her opinion on the matter? I don’t believe you would. You are too humble.” His insistence was swiping aside her weak excuses. “You have changed many lives for the better through your devotion to our Lady. Mine too. I’m thankful. I don’t want you to live below what you deserve just because you never dared to aim higher.”

A future so utopic was before her feet. But the young man’s efforts were misguided. What he saw was merely the façade. Eugenia felt more guilt than ever spill over her soul.

Upon seeing her conflicted expression he backed off a little and added: “I beg of you, at least talk to the grand priestess one more time. It’s not a decision for the near future, but one day maybe.”

It was hard to deny such an earnest request and she knew that this was brought upon her by her own actions. So close to the meeting with Athena…

“I will talk to her.” She agreed woefully.

“Thank you! Just by that you already did this city a great favor.” He honestly appreciated her words. “So do you know when you want to sail out?”

“N-Not yet, but it should be as soon as possible.”

“You sure are in a hurry.” Suddenly their conversation was interrupted by the weary faced merchant that had been haggling all the way through it.

“How did the negotiations go?” Therses turned towards Themistokles with anticipation.

“He sold it.” He said with raised hands as if he gave up.

“That’s great!” The young man clapped his hands. “In that case you could leave as soon as tomorrow.” He turned back to Eugenia and gave her an estimate.

“Tomorrow.” She bit her lower lip.

“I am sure we can make her sea ready in half a day.” Themistokles declared.

“What?! But the cargo and the inspections-” Therses was shocked by the merchant’s claim.

“About that, would you kindly go to my master’s mansion and get Eugenia’s belongings? She travels light, so it should be easy for you.” He smacked Therses on the back and pushed him forward at the same time. “I will hire some busy hands to load the rest onto her.” He pointed his thumb over his shoulder.

Therses returned his even gaze with doubt, but then nodded. He excused himself and left for the city.

“You don’t have to do all that for me.” She felt indebted now.

“Of course I do. That’s the least I can do and believe me, this cutthroat over there was not making it easy for me either. I spent a small fortune on this beauty. I could have bought a pentekonter with that money.” He pointed his hand at the medium sized boat. It was closer to a small ship perhaps. Eugenia wasn’t certain. “She is worth every owl though. Sturdy to last through Poseidon’s vagary, but also small enough to be controlled easily.”

“Thank you so much.” She folded her hands and smiled guiltily.

Zosimos looked at her with sympathy.

“You will not let me accompany you?”

“Zosimos, no.” She shook her head at the expected question. “Going through that barrier once was dangerous enough. Twice or even thrice… I can’t ask anyone to go through that for my selfish wish.”

“I figured as much. It almost feels like you care more about my life than I do myself.” He shrugged humorously. “I would have liked to apologize to that Lady as well. Not that she would appreciate it, I’m sure.”

“That’s true.” She agreed with a weak smile.

“I know your circumstances are special, but you still can’t sail on your own. Your ears are gifted, no doubt, but there are things that only your eyes can show you. Without the stars and landmarks you will be unable to reach that isle.” He was dead serious now. “You knew this, but you still won’t let anyone risk the journey. What is your plan?”

“A plan.” She put her arms behind her back and kicked a small stone into the gushing waves.

“Don’t tell me you-”

“I don’t have one.” She admitted.

“Artemis’ light…” He put a hand to his forehead.

“There is one thing I know. The moment I set sail I will surely reach the place I need to.”

“Is that also a divine prophecy?” He put a hand to his side and sighed.

“Something like that.” She knew that Athena awaited her. If that was the case they would manage to meet without fail. There was also something Hermes had told her that still made her believe in a chance.

“You will be able to fool the others with that kind of talk at least. I hope you will make it past the sharks.”

“There are really sharks in this ocean?”

“More than you can count. They bite straight through olive wood too!” His hand motions were grand and terrifying. “Can’t imagine a shark would want to eat somethin’ this scrawny tho’.” He laughed and let his dialect slip back in by accident.

They seemed to have come to an agreement, despite Zosimos’ concerns. He had no power to stop her now. Perhaps he didn’t want to anyway. He knelt down next to the wooden pole and ran his finger through the knot.

“If you got any business in Athens left you got only today. So if you want to leave later we can meet up at the statue of Poseidon. I will bring the ship there.”

“Alright.” She nodded and thought about what she still had to do.

“Who in the blazes tied this knot?” Zosimos complained as he struggled with the rope. “Did he want to settle down with this boat?! Even the shackles of Hades aren’t this tenacious!”

Eugenia discreetly left him to his work while suppressing a chuckle.

After fulfilling her promise to Hegord and following Topos’ summoning she really had nothing left to do in this flourishing city. Except for the promise she had just made to Therses. It was troubling, but she would have to bother Lady Akacia one more time.

The temple of Athena was rather abuzz today. Since the great judgement two weeks ago the people had grown more pious than ever. It was said that in times of miracles and legends, the people would grow bolder and greedier. Knowing that the goddess had descended for one occasion made them think their chances to contact her had also increased. There was no one who would miss out on their possible advice from the wise mistress herself. Such words of wisdom would only be rivaled by the Pythia, the Oracle of Delphi herself.

And yet, the one who was surely approached the most for this ritual seemed utterly disinterested.

Akacia was sitting inside the temple’s lush garden and enjoyed her rest on one of the marble benches. Her poise was that of a powerful woman indeed. Could someone so diligent really be skipping out on her work? It made Eugenia doubt her observation. As she approached her with quiet steps she was not sure if the priestesses at the entrance had not been messing with her.

“Even on my day of rest I am faced with trials and tribulations.” Akacia said under her breath. She had definitely noticed Eugenia somehow.

“Lady Akacia, I have come to talk to you.” There was nothing for it, she would just have to push onwards.

“Was it truly too much to hope that we would not meet again? Now I must appear foolish for making such a definitive claim before.” She uncrossed her legs and stretched from her stiff pose.

“I’m sorry.”

“That is all you will ever be. With good reason I might add.” The grand priestess cracked her neck and then gazed at her former student with an unreadable expression. “You wish to talk? Then speak.”

“But your meditation-?”

“Has already been ruined. To be quite honest, I cannot find inner peace these days even if I were to be knocked out with a club. The noise from all those honored guests is aggravating.” There was a hint of exhaustion in her voice.

It was just as Eugenia had expected. Her mentor was under a constant barrage of requests. This day of rest was probably the first time she could catch her breath since that day. Under those circumstances she was even more of a nuisance than originally thought.

“Have you been sweet talked by those old men?” Akacia took the opportunity to get to the point as the blind priestess hesitated.

“Who?”

“So they did not manage to get a hold of you yet? I was told you were summoned to the palace by Topos.” She raised a brow, but then continued unperturbed. “I am not deaf. They are salivating at the thought of replacing me with someone younger and dare I say, more successful.”

“That’s not true!”

“Don’t look so terrified. I am not blaming you for their ambitiousness. You came here to talk to me, but that unwilling face tells me all I need to know about your perspective.” She put a hand to her neck to caress a thin chain.

“I don’t want to be the next grand priestess.” Eugenia declared. Even if Akacia knew, she had to say it herself or it would haunt her forever.

“That is the smartest thing you have ever said to me.” She grinned on the surface. “I would have discouraged you from it even if you did wish for it. Yet if our mistress made the decision I would bow out with pleasure.” Her words had a hint of accusation in them. There was a hidden question.

Did the mistress wish for this?

Neither of them could answer that. Athena had not appeared once in these two weeks. The silence continued. The silvery eyes were still turned away. For how much longer? Eugenia had a vague idea. Until she confirmed it herself, she would not dare speak a word, though.

“Why do you not want this position?” The stern priestess asked an unexpected question.

“I am not worthy.” Eugenia replied with a lowered face.

“Because you lied? Because you took our Lady’s name in vain? Because you support a blaspheming monster?” She listed the crimes with little care.

“That is… all true.”

“Excuses.” Akacia sighed.

“Pardon?”

“You may be able to fool yourself, but I am not cursed with such naiveté. These are perfectly acceptable reasons and they might hold truth, but the thing that tears you away is your own desire.” She explained matter of factly.

“My desire?”

“Deep down you know.”

There was truth in those words. Eugenia no longer could be as naïve as she once was either.

“I will accept the reasons you gave me. Honestly, they are more than enough. For a chosen child you are sorely lacking in every aspect, I realize this now. You have never even once spoken to Athena, have you?”

Eugenia’s milky eyes widened and her mouth was slightly agape. There was a rush of denial swelling up in her chest, but it soon ebbed. Akacia was correct.

“How did you know?”

“Foolish child. That performance was so lacking that even a priestess of Aphrodite could have seen through it.” She snorted. “The mistress does not speak like a poet from Lesbos.”

Eugenia blushed so fiercely that it almost seemed like all the blood in her body was focused on the head.

“She is direct and succinct and by no means the showy type. The few times I spoke to her I was shivering in fear, but I never thought of her as a flowery speaker.” Akacia was surely a bit too entertained by this whole situation. “No wonder Achaeus did see through you so easily.”

“P-Please stop.” Eugenia covered her face behind her hands and trembled.

“But it took courage to go through with such a horrendous act.” She seemed to have some mercy left in her. “I may never be able to approve of your actions, but I will say this: That was the first time you have not disappointed me. You reminded me of Kynthia when she would get boisterous and loud during a song.”

“Wha-?” Those words hit deeply.

“You will leave this place once again?”

“Yes.”

“I would love to say that this is the last time we meet, but such hopes are misplaced. I have no doubt that you will come to bother me again… one day.” Akacia sounded annoyed. She loosened her hair bun and then threw her surprisingly long hair back. “The Fates know if there will ever be another opportunity to part permanently. Whether that day will truly come I cannot say, but my guidance to you ends today.”

“But…!” Why? Why did those words make her feel so faint and lost?

“I promised myself that I would watch over you in Kynthia’s stead. It was troublesome indeed. I will admit that I have not always done a good job of it.” She stood up and reached around her neck. The flowing hair shuffled. “You are a woman now. A full-fledged person that can make her own choices. Which means I have become unnecessary to you.”

“Please don’t say something so sad.” Eugenia teared up.

“Shedding tears for someone who has never showed you any sympathy, this is exactly what makes you so troublesome. Don’t make me regret my judgement already.” She frowned a bit and then reached out her hand. Something was hanging from it. Dangling serenely between them.

“A ring?” Eugenia could tell that it was a ring tied to a chain, but she could not say what it looked like.

“This was a… gift.” The older priestess cleared her throat. “From your mother to me. Now I will give it to you, the rightful owner.”

“This is from mother?” Her shaking hands grabbed the ring carefully. There was something carved into it. “Eagle.”

“Your mother was originally from a family of Zeus worshippers. This ring was passed down the generations, even after they turned to Athena. She gave it to me because of… a stupid bet.” Akacia had trouble keeping her face straight. “It was never meant for my hands. This is your family heirloom.”

“You had it all these years?” Eugenia held the warm ring and suppressed her tears. It was a ring once worn by her mother. But this warmth it emanated now…

“I clung to it like a selfish brat. In my foolishness I saw it as the memory of the true Kynthia. This mistake must end now.”

“This heat comes from you.” Eugenia mumbled as she clutched the warm ring.

“What are you muttering to yourself for?”

“I will not take this ring!” She forcefully pushed it back into Akacia’s hands.

“Excuse me?” The priestess was stupefied.

“She gave it to you, because you meant so much to her. This ring is proof that you were connected. I don’t need something like that, because her blood flows through my veins. I am always connected to mother.” She touched her chest and felt her beating heart.

“Will you ever let me have my way?” Akacia whispered weakly. Her hand was closed around the ring. Against her own will it was not letting go anymore.

“I don’t know if we will meet again as you say, but if we do I hope you will still be the same.” She bowed her head deeply. “Thank you for looking after me, grand priestess!”

Even the most devout woman was tempted to curse in the temple once or twice. Right now Akacia voiced a silent curse to herself for showing her weakness and closed her eyes. If she dared to look at this girl now she would not be able to tell what could happen. The darkness before her eyes right now, it was no different from blindness.

Just this once their eyes saw the same thing.

“Goodbye.”

Walking all the way through Athens was rather exhausting and Eugenia’s feet started to feel sore in the hard sandals. A few hours had passed, so she wondered if the others were already finished with the preparations. She had only made a quick stop at Eopia’s home to eat something. Nobody had been there except for the servants. Her belongings were also gone.

The statue of Poseidon was large and hard to miss so she didn’t have to ask around much to find it. The muscular god holding a trident even larger than himself was a common sight around harbors. Athens had a complex history with Poseidon who once could have been their patron god and lost to Athena, but even so, sailors were clear about who their allegiance fell with.

Close to the monument was an assortment of ships that were going to set off. Everyone wanted to get in their last offering or prayer by the moody god. It was forbidden to burn animal offerings in front of statues, due to the mess it made, but she could definitely smell burnt meat.

One of the ships must have been her ride. It didn’t take long for her to find her group. Therses called out to her and she was surprised to hear so many others with him.

“I can’t believe you are really going to leave now.” Eopia was an emotional bundle of hugs and barely wanted to let her go. “Are there any carrier birds where you are going? You should try to write me sometimes!”

“I-I’m not sure…” She only knew one messenger who would make it through that storm, but asking him to do her errands was far too preposterous.

“Calm down, sweetheart. She can hardly breathe.” Zosimos was secretly grinning to himself.

“If only you could have stayed for the wedding.” Eopia wiped away a dramatic tear and let Eugenia go from her clutches.

After rubbing her throat the young priestess regained her senses and coughed. “Remember to make an offering to Hera after the ceremony.”

“Hm? Why not to Hestia?”

“Lady Hestia will receive the offering of your household as usual. The great and stern Hera will be giving you strength as a wife and assure a safe childbirth.” She explained.

Eopia nodded in acknowledgment, while Zosimos in the back almost seemed to choke on his own tongue.

“I will make sure to remember that. Pray for us as well to be extra sure!” She giggled. “Of course we will pray for your safety too.”

“Thank you.”

They hugged once more and then parted. Eugenia was led to the ship and heard its loud creaking on the waves. It was slightly unsettling.

“A real beauty.” Therses said with a trained eye. “We could never afford something like that back in the village.”

“It may not make it anywhere but the bottom of the ocean.” Bion chimed in.

“Don’t put a curse on this ship you dilettante.” Therses squinted his eyes in disapproval.

“I would never.” Bion raised his hands placatory and averted his dull eyes.

“Thank you for your help.” Eugenia turned to him gratefully.

“I couldn’t leave it all to that fisherboy. He’s not even grown a real beard yet.” Bion remarked.

“I haven’t seen your beard either, slave boy.” Therses retorted composed.

“Probably because I shave. It’s too itchy otherwise.” Bion shrugged.

“Hah.”

“Wait, what’s that on your face?” Bion suddenly asked.

“What?” Therses touched his cheeks and wiped them harshly.

“Oh. It was just your peach fuzz.”

Unsurprisingly the fisherman’s son showed off his hook and the medico his instinctive evasive maneuver. Compared to how they had acted back on the ship, Eugenia could tell that they were really getting along now.

“Boys, show some dignity.” Agapetos pulled them apart like a stern father, but his expression was far from serious. “My deepest condolences for the lacking sendoff, my dear. If it was up to me we would be celebrating with some music and finest Eretrian wine. Your support for Eretria will never be forgotten and if I may say so, you are a shining example to all aspiring priestesses across the civilized world.”

“You are laying it on too thick master.” Bion commented from the sidelines. Therses jabbed his arm.

“For this old man to experience such an adventure in his autumn years was truly enlightening. Athens has grown a great interest in my Medicoriam as well! Maybe one day soon there will be many like it across the great cities. This could never have happened if Lord Achaeus had gotten his way. So not just for Eretria, but also for me and my apprentice: We are eternally in your debt.” He posed elegantly.

“If you two had not been there to treat my wounds I would not have been able to get anywhere. We are even now.” Eugenia said solemnly to match his tone. It just made her look like a bird trying to puff out its feathers to appear bigger.

Agapetos nodded and stepped back.

“Are you sure you can make it on a ship? You aren’t going to spew your insides all over deck?” Bion laid and arm around her shoulder and whispered conspiratorially.

“I-It’s not so bad when I can feel the air on my face.” She wanted him to forget about her pathetic appearance from back then already.

“If you end up dehydrated drink some wine. It will get your through the worst of it. Even if you don’t like to drink.” He smirked.

“You really are an oaf.” Eugenia pouted.

“Says the blind girl trying to sail the deadly sea alone.” He let go of her and shrugged ironically.

“She is right about your stupidity.” Therses pushed him aside. “The chosen priestess of Athena does not have to fear mortal danger. Our Lady is with her.” His confidence was astounding.

“Dionysus is also in every drop of wine, but nobody seems to be safe from breaking their limbs when drunk under his presence.” The slave assistant had no inhibitions as usual.

“I will wish you safe travels even if that fool thinks he knows better.” Therses grabbed her hand timidly and then let go again. He was clearly worked up. “Thank you for saving my father, the village and me.”

“It wasn’t me.” She replied quietly.

“You are humble. I hope that my studies will allow me to understand the world as you do eventually. When I return home there will be many stories to tell. Your story will be remembered even outside of Athens!”

Eugenia could only feel her stomach hurt when hearing that. She had never intended to be spoken off in some faraway places. Now even outside the temples…

“S-See you again one day!” The young man was flustered and backed away.

She stood still for a while and counted all the friends she had made along the way. These people had given her strength and grief many a time. She couldn’t say where the trial would bring her, but she knew that she would miss them all dearly.

“Goodbyes are always the worst.” Themistokles said loudly and pushed Eugenia onto the ship. He was standing on the swaying deck too and directed her to every part she needed to know. The ropes, the sail and the rudders as well as the compartment below.

When he was done he put one leg off the boat and kept his other on it.

“It’s goodbye then.” He repeated and looked away.

“Zosimos!”

To his and everyone else’s surprise she strongly embraced him from behind. It was a tight hold that seemed to rival the clutch Heracles had on the Nemean lion. The merchant was clearly in trouble to hold his balance in his awkward position, but even more to hold in his emotions.

“You have to promise me that you will take care of your new family.”

“I promise.” He said with a wry smile.

“Keep acting like a fool to make everyone laugh.”

“Hey…”

“Thank you for being there for me.”

“…of course.”

The others watched with differing emotions. Therses seemed quite annoyed, while Bion grinned. After all, Themistokles was the only one who got hugged by her.

Quite the lengthy hug even.

“How sweet.” Eopia creeped up from behind with a sugary smile. It was a really wide smile. Unbroken for even a second.

“It’s not what it looks like!” Zosimos was sweating profusely and shivering in his boots.

“What does it look like? Is there something to feel guilty about, dear?” She pulled him onto land by the ear as Eugenia let him go with a satisfied smirk.

“Of course not!” He was in trouble now.

It was a bittersweet goodbye, but she knew that they all had bright futures ahead of them. Even those that were not here right now, like the recovering Irvenos or the crazy scholar Epiphanes.

For the first time since she left Sarpedon she felt like she didn’t want to leave another place. The sway of the bonds she had made here was powerful. But she knew what awaited her now.

“I will miss you all! Thank you for everything!”

She waved with both her arms while the ship was carried away by the breeze in its sail. It was a mysterious wind that seemed almost to guide her. Where would it carry her?

When she could no longer hear the loud shouting from the harbor she was certain that the city was just a distant thing. Just in that moment another presence materialized on top of the sail.

“You left upon your own will.” Hermes said in a thoughtful pose.

“Will you accompany me to her?”

“My sister’s matters are hers alone. I am merely waiting for the result of your trial to determine what my own duty will come to. Until then, I shall be one with the wind.” He said with a wink and then vanished again.

She wondered if he really was part of the breeze that moved her sail. It was something clearly inside his power. But for now the wind was moving her to a place that Hermes had no control over.

Eugenia could feel it. The hairs on her arms and neck were standing up. This presence was only growing stronger and wider. Eventually her boat stopped in the middle of the sea and the waves themselves seemed to die. Absolute stillness enveloped her.

From the sky above she descended, clad in her recognizable helmet and holding her spear. Silvery eyes penetrated even the blind girl’s empty gaze.

Athena had arrived.

From the depth of the ocean it was expelled. A dark streak in the bursting waves falling in on themselves. The deepest depth where the worlds intersected was as far away as the ceiling of the sky now. This was the midpoint. The unity of the worlds.

And the thing had been expelled.

No depth too great, no distance too large. Now at the punishment’s end, the remains were carried by the dark ocean itself. Spat out at the cursed island. Back to isolation. Back to exile.

The thing, a creature, dragged across the blackened sand. Toward the center. Into the ruins.

The thing, more corpse than anything.

It was the Gorgon.

It was barely clinging to the embers of life.

Burnt like a fish over the fire, frozen like a delicate flower on the mountaintop. There was little left. Nothing to spare, nothing to thrive. In the endless pain the Gorgon had lost her senses, but the pain persisted. Pain beyond pain and suffering beyond consciousness.

The pile of meat and bones was curled up inside the muddy center. Cold tears were splashing across its distorted face. Tears? Nay, rain. The island was swept with rain. Combed by the prattling waters of an endless storm. It had raged since the monster had left its exile and still found no end.

The skin that was not skin could not feel. Why did it sense the cold? Why did it shiver in the ceaseless rain?

Empty. Forlorn. Nothingness.

The ruins of a temple resembled the skeleton of a mighty beast. Sights once familiar now distorted. Her unseeing eyes perceived them. There were many remains, but none alive. It should join them soon.

Something was carried on the streams of rain. A fraction of something. Edges burnt like her flesh, fringed and soaked with water. A piece of fabric. The incessant rain had not washed it away until this moment? How could it be? How could it be?

How could it be?

To surface now from the mud of a ruined building, this had to be a sign. Ashes had mixed with the rain and turned it into something like salty tar. The destroyed tongue still tasted earth.

A pile of flesh that could not resemble a hand, yet still grabbed onto the fabric. It clutched it like it was the dearest thing.

Such a frail piece of something once beautiful. It reminded the Gorgon of what mattered. In this exile, this lonesome existence, she had found it. This tiny sliver of a world extinguished.

“E…ge…a…” Her throat was twisted inside out, yet it formed sounds.

The rain threatened to drown her, but she was a being without need for air.

She clutched the piece of the burned chiton to her chest and curled up in the rain. The grievous wounds did not regenerate. Not yet. This scar might have been eternal, but she would not want to forget about it. This was a reminder what it was for.

Even in the Gorgon’s infinite solitude, something had given her hope.

And even now that she was certain they would never meet again, she was relieved to know that they met.

A wounded snake found her peace, never aware of the trial that took place far away.