It was the edge of night where the crows flew over the fields and picked their prey undisturbed by the slaves. The estate was shrouded in the blackness under a moonless sky. There was a single torch glowing in the distance where a patrol slowly rode over the hills and made its way from one town to the next. All other humans should have been deep in slumber.

The study on the second floor was hidden behind barred windows, but the trail of smoke escaping the gaps was proof that the fireplace was still not extinguished. Inside the room, illuminated by low candle light, sat a man going over a piece of parchment covered in coal dust. He was carefully brushing off certain spots to unveil the secret message.

His shoulders twitched for a moment as he felt the presence appear behind him.

“You made it in here without any noise, so you must either be an extraordinary thief or wished to make a point of your superior qualities.” He said with his back turned. “Then again, if you were the former you would not have revealed yourself so readily.” He put his hand down on the scroll and finally turned around.

I glared down on him from the shadows.

“You followed me all the way to Eleusis? I feel honored.” Aegidius said with a unreadable expression.

“I did not know the name of this place. I only followed the trail of your servants.” I replied stoically.

“That would explain why I haven’t heard from my contacts in Attica for a while.” He said with remorse.

“It was troublesome to discover your hiding place, but I never ceased my search nonetheless.”

“This happens to be my family’s property, not a hideout.” He pointed out and rolled up the scroll. “You have tracked me down, so what is it you desire?”

“The truth.” I said as I pushed my hand against the table, cornering him.

“We have so much in common.” He smiled.

“Answer me or face the consequences.”

“I will do my best.”

“It was you who provoked that human to attack the isle, was it not?”

“That human…? Ah, you must be referring to Apolonio. Indeed, I have been quite the thorn in his side for the last few years. Such an easily upset man.” Aegidius seemed amused. “I heard of the massacre on Sarpedon. A crime that surely has upset the gods!”

“You are in good cheer all the same.”

“Of course, it was all I had desired from him after all. Those Cretan barbarians are good for one thing only.” He looked back at me unflinching even after I pushed him back this far. “Tell me, great Gorgon, what has Athena done when she saw the chaos you had caused?”

“I will ask the questions.”

“Rather uncooperative of you. That is a shame, but I was already told the gist of it anyway. News of such a disaster travel fast. There is just one detail I cannot garner from anyone but you.” He ignored my warning and kept talking about his own aspirations. “Has Athena rejected and exiled you? Did she go back on her decision? Did she falter, did she change?”

“You sickening creature.” I looked upon him with scorn.

“I admire you, that has never changed. Please do not feel like you have been used or anything so demeaning. I only accelerated what was inevitable already. We both know the gods are no noble beings that honor their vows.”

“It is you humans who have tainted everything with endless selfish desire. You spread the word about me, your servants created the seed that would be fostered into a cult.”

“There is no meaning in sowing seeds on unfertile lands as you know. The soil of the Greek world has desired to grow roots around you.”

“And foolishly uprooted the trees around it. To what end?”

“I already told you, I wish to test the gods. To see their resolve, their grand foresight and flexibility. Their trees are tall and rigid, but the foundation is anything but healthy. Even something that could only be called a foreign thing has taken root with such ease.”

“Your gods are different?”

“The one I follow is mighty and just and that is why he reigns alone. The light that erases the dark upon the world and human soul. His own shadow is the evil that penetrates the suffering of this world and thrives in it. Therefore all must be cleansed by the searing light.”

“You follow an apparition, a false deity.” I corrected him.

“Our prophet Zoroaster has spoken and there is no doubt in my mind. One day the world will see the faults of their weak trees and burn them down to make way for new ones.” He glanced at my arm and then sighed. His resignation was no act. “Athena has rejected you, because she is flawed and afraid. If she was as magnificent as they say, she would never have allowed you to become a threat.”

“Nobody will stop me from being what I wish to be. Not the gods or humans.” I pushed him over and he fell to the ground. My foot was lodged into his ribcage right away.

“You truly are… ouch… a mountain in the sea! That is why you are so fascinating!” He spoke with a pained voice as I pressed down on his torso. “It would be an honor to die by your hand.”

“You seek death from me?”

“It appears that you are enraged by my actions, so I will accept my punishment. I would have left Eleusis behind soon and moved to Babylonia, so my family can be save from my crimes…” He clutched the scroll in his right hand as he spoke of his plans.

“You do not care which it will be? Is that your final word?”

“Yes.”

“There is a human that wishes to see you. She is still waiting on Sarpedon. Will you accept this fate even so?”

He showed immediate realization.

“…poor good-hearted Palla. I noticed her advances, but I cannot answer them. I suppose my actions left her all alone now.” He showed a hint of regret.

I watched him for a while, perceiving his every twitch and breath. He did not speak a single lie. I knew that he was correct, that the priestess was left in solitude after I had been sent away. No allies among her temple and followers. Isolated in duty.

“It is surprising that you pity her.” Aegidius spoke into the silence.

“You believe me capable of pity?”

“It is not such an entirely human notion. The gods feel pity for their own, do they not? It is simply unexpected that you care so much for one who can offer so little to you.” His words were unapologetically frank. For he was already resigned to death.

I felt irritated by his words. It was not often that a human could make me so uneasy. His intent was not malefic, I could see through his soul and saw nothing that wished to harm me. His test had seen me as no more than a statue erected before the temple of his true target. It was of no concern to him whether that statue crumbled on the faulty foundations.

“Tell me, do you love your god so enduringly that you would cast away your life and freedom?”

“Not at all.” He replied quickly. It was a surprising response to me. After seeing my questioning eyes he elaborated. “The light does not require love to shine. The darkness is what feeds on our evil hearts. To be truly free… one must have no doubts or attachment. Love always causes doubt.”

“To obey something you do not love. A pitiful existence.”

“You too obey something that you cannot love.” He replied obtusely.

“I obey no soul but my own.”

“Indeed.” His satisfied smile made me furious. Under the pressure of my foot he twisted his mouth in pain. “I obey the light that smites Ahriman for the ones I truly love. My family and fellow believers.”

“So you admit that you commit your crimes in the name of such love?”

“I do.” His hand twitched in pain and he let go of the parchment. It rolled open and revealed a short message in strange letters. They were written with care and compassion exuded the page. It was the farewell letter for his family.

“It is ever the same with you humans…” I grabbed the letter and pushed it into his hand. My weary eyes reflected the candlelight. “Your love can only harm others.”

With that I moved towards the window and made the wooden shutters move apart, as if controlled by magic.

“You will let me live?” He wondered.

“I came to this shabby home to ask questions. No more, no less.” I replied with grace and spread my white wings. With a loud flap I exited the building and sailed through the air.

“Ah, that may be the difference between you and them. You truly are capable of pity for those below you…” He said as he rose up with a mesmerized expression.

That would have been the end of my tale. All loose ends had been tied into a knot and my travels across the human world had ended. It had been two years since I had left Sarpedon and my curiosity had been sated utterly. With Aegidius words I had been cut loose from these ropes that tied me to human matters.

It could have been the end. If not for the fact that I passed by a certain chain of islands on my way to the deepest depth. Sarpedon was in my path and there were few things that could have made me more stubborn than a roadblock that I could not ignore. It would have been easy to fly around it, to swim past it or to leave it entirely out of my mind, but that was not what happened.

I landed on the fringe of the island and set my foot down on the sand. Since I had left things had turned quieter, calmer. There were few pilgrims and less tents. No merchants that were yelling from their stands. No cultists gathering around a divine guest…

I walked along the coastline and then flew up the side of the hill, eventually stopping before the temple. Up there was the window to the grand priestess’ room. It was vexing. I pressed a hand around my elbow and frowned. That man’s words actually had affected my judgement. The solitude he spoke of did strike a chord. It would have been best if everyone knew their place.

I threw a rock into the room.

“OUCH!” The priestess yowled and then angrily came to the window. “Who threw that?!”

Our eyes met and her expression turned far more serious. She wiped the tears of pain away and then moved back inside. After a while I could see her come down the steps and move into the courtyard. She made a decidedly slow turn and then arrived before me.

“What are you doing here?” Palla asked suspiciously.

“Are you saying that I am not welcomed?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Lady Athena-“

“Never exiled me from this temple.” At least she did not say it in words. Naturally I was not so obtuse to think that I was allowed to return, but a priestess was bound to her mistress' words.

“You will get both of us in trouble.” She retorted, but immediately surrendered. She did look quite a bit more mature already. There was not much left of the rowdy child from my first visit. “Follow me.”

“Hm?”

“Please?” She made an exaggeratedly subservient gesture and then waved me along.

We walked away from the temple and reached the lonely cliff. It was a familiar sight, even if the dark of night turned it into a distorted shadow. Palla sat down on the edge and waited for me to follow suit.

“It’s good to see you are still the same.” She said to me with a hint of jest.

“I cannot say the same to you.”

“I hope you mean to say I look more dependable.”

I stayed silent to annoy her.

“Well well, what did the great Gorgon want from this undependable priestess then?” She said in a biting tone.

“I found that man.”

“!” Immediately Palla’s back straightened and her ears perked up.

“He still lives on. But he will be fleeing to a place called Babylonia soon.”

“Babylonia…” Her eyes were downcast and she fidgeted her hands.

“He said that he does not share your feelings.” I added casually.

“Do you have no tact at all?” She grimaced and lowered her head in defeat. “I already knew that he did not fancy me. Still, there was always this futile hope somewhere deep inside me.”

“He pitied you.”

“It’s a real pity I had to find out this way.” She seemed to be deeply annoyed by my attitude, which suited me just fine. “Did you come all the way here to rub salt into the wound?”

“My reasons are mine alone.” I replied lethargically and then thought about what to tell her next. Would it have mattered? If I told her about that man’s schemes and the reason for it all? The twisted love that humans felt, that never connected right.

“Even if you are only here to mock me, I am still thankful.” She admitted. “I can now leave that part of my life behind me.”

“Oh? Can humans abandon their love so easily?”

“It is not that I abandoned it! I have just learned to accept the truth and keep moving towards my own light.” She pointed toward the moon’s reflection in the sea. “I could never have married him anyway.”

We let those words stand on their own and just sat side by side in the night. At some point noise from the temple caught our attention. Other priestesses had noticed Palla’s absence and were looking for her. The servants must have seen her leave.

“You have to go.”

“Hmph.” I felt too languid to object this time and prepared to dive into the waters.

“Medusa!” She called out to me before I left. “You are really hard to deal with, but I think it’d sad if we never met again. So whenever you feel like it… come visit me!” She said with an earnest smile.

I dove into the cold water without a response.

From that night onward I came to visit the island every few years. I was quite busy, so I had only little time for the grand priestess. As I explored the oceans and was confronting my siblings and other intruders in our domain I felt more at peace. That was a world of simplicity. So whenever I visited Palla I saw it as a break from my duties. In that sense it was no surprise that I grew to look forward to these meetings.

Over the decades I had grown bolder in the ways I traveled the oceans, which upset Poseidon’s daughters and sons immensely. I made it my priority to avoid the white stallion himself as much as possible, for his wrath was still one of the few things I would not wish upon myself. Although rather than anger it was his lust that I should have feared.

Meanwhile the followers of Athena grew more powerful under Palla’s leadership. She turned out to be as wise as her mentor Crene. There was another reason she was drawing the eyes of the simple people however. It would not have stood out to an outsider like me, but it became clear that Palla did not age as rapidly as all other humans. In fact she still looked like she was in her fortieth summer when she had surpassed a hundred.

It was called a miracle of the gods and surely that was correct. When over a hundred years had passed since the first time we met I had finally taken note of it as well. A century was not much to the likes of gods and the divine, but a human’s lifespan was as short as a candle.

When I asked her thoughts on the matter she only replied that she was happy to have the time to raise the next generation. The kindness in her eyes had grown over the decades and she lost her proneness to temper tantrums. Although I would never have admitted it, I did grow to respect her.

I do not remember exactly how many decades passed since then, but even Palla’s hair turned grey eventually and her skin wrinkly as any other elderly human’s. She did not become sickly or fragile of mind, though.

My final visit came unexpected. The day that changed everything forever.

“I have been waiting for you.” Palla said with a coarse laugh and crossed her old legs. She was sitting on our usual meeting spot by the cliffs.

“You knew I would come?” I raised a brow.

“I had a feeling in my bones.” She chuckled. “There is also that storm coming from the south. Have you upset Lord Poseidon again?”

“I will be taking refuge here for today.” I avoided her question. In truth I had been chased all across the ocean by that base man. He seemed to have lost his mind as his eyes had become red in the dark of the storm clouds and he released steam from his horse nostrils. The sight had sent a shiver down my spine, so I had headed for Sarpedon. This was Athena’s domain, so I felt relatively safe. Even that bullheaded lecher would find sense eventually.

“You live as you please.” Palla poured wine into the cups she had prepared.

“And you are still confined to this place after some centuries.” I took the cup elegantly and tasted the wine. It was an excellent drop. I had to commend Palla for her great taste.

“There is truth in what you are saying. I have lived in this place for a long time. Longer than any one person should.” She took the other cup in her wrinkly hand and put it to her lips.

“You will be drinking as well?” I was surprised.

“How do you think I have learned which ones to serve you?” The old priestess winked.

“You wily human. You truly had me believe that you were abstinent all those years.” I grinned and downed my own cup. It tasted strangely sweet on this night.

“It is easy to trick someone who wants to believe.” She chuckled again and set down her half-empty cup. Even her drinking habits were tempered and thoughtful.

“You have never been one to adhere to the rules much, but you are still full of surprises.” I pointed out.

“Haha, you flatter me. ‘Tis the duty of the old to lead as a good example for the young, so I have practiced my disguise well. I even hide my secret meetings with a particular spawn of the old gods from the overeager youn’uns.”

“They revere you so much that you will hardly find any opposition.”

“Hmhm, things have become complicated during my lifetime. The followers of Athena have become a force to be reckoned with. Athens is prospering like no other city in the world. They are discussing whether to move to the mainland now.”

“Oh? You are going to travel with your frail body?”

“I doubt that this body will be falling apart from a smidge of rough sea weather.” Her laugh was infectious.

As her neck shook, the cord with the seashell was swinging up and down. I focused my eyes on it and saw the fringes getting weak and the shell showing small cracks. It was quite old by now. It was impressive to have lasted this long, however, if one considered its origin it was not too unbelievable. Athena’s charm had always been tied around her grand priestess.

“You are giving me that look again.” Palla said perceptively.

“Hm.” I averted my eyes and drank my wine.

“It is as you think. I too believe that my long life is thanks to Lady Athena’s gift.” She touched the seashell gently. “It will not let my die.”

“You mean…”

“Mhm. I have tested it frequently. Not always intentionally…” She cracked her old neck.

“You would not.” I squinted my eyes. Her words seemed to suggest that she attempted the unthinkable. It made me uneasy.

“I did not attempt to take my life, no.”

“Good.”

“But this aging body should not be able to move much longer. The blessing weakens each day and I feel my end approaching.”

“…” I clutched my cup tighter.

“That is why I decided to travel one more time to see the temple in Athens. It may be my only chance. All of my sisters will be convening there, so this island will become somewhat lonely.”

“It took you far too long to finally realize that dream, human.” I said with a weak smirk.

“Hahaha. Only you would still remember such a thing.” She seemed amused. “Not a soul from back then is still with me after all.” She added more somberly.

Human lifespans… so short and meaningless. I had been used to this reality since the day I was born. Immortality separated me from such short-lived beings. Perhaps that is why we never grew attached. The sorrow of an old woman could never reach me.

“What if the blessing were not to wane?” I spoke up unintentionally.

“Pardon?”

“If you begged Athena, surely she would renew it.”

“Do you think so? You are most likely right.” She nodded.

“So…”

“I know that she would, because it serves her well. My Lady is indeed a gracious one, even if she has her own interests in mind.” She said mysteriously. “In truth I believe that she will do it without my plea.”

“What?”

“I am certain that she will repair this gift when it begins to fall apart. As she has done before.” She said heavily.

I started to understand. Even if it was an extraordinary blessing, it would not last for centuries. My assumption that it had lasted this long was flawed. Then Athena had already interfered with the natural order.

Athena was keeping Palla alive.

“Even as my body falls apart, this gift will keep it together nonetheless. I have overcome my limit and persisted beyond. My soul is not allowed to move on.”

“That is the truth behind her gift?”

“Medusa, I am not resentful. This gift allowed me to do more good than any one human is able to. Yet I tire.” She spoke with a low voice. “I tire so much that I wish to find a resting place dearly. After my journey is complete I will take this shell off and rest.”

“I see.” I could already see that there was nothing I could do to change her mind. Did I truly wish to, though? Even now I am not sure. To let her rest was the kindest outcome. Athena’s meddling was cold and objective as ever. “This may be seen as taking your own life. You are aware of the consequences?”

“I am.”

“You do not seem too disturbed.”

“I believe that I have fulfilled my duties with great care and devotion. My afterlife will reflect that.”

“That almost sounds like you believe Elysium is your destination.” I grinned.

“I would love to have a chat with Lady Persephone.” She said with a smile. “The poor thing has so little company down there.”

“Only you would go to the afterlife for such a puzzling reason.” I shook my head and lied down on my side.

“As beautiful as you are, do you not think it would be interesting to meet a woman that could even attract Hades’ fancy?”

“You imply she is more beautiful than I?” I looked up with a challenging expression.

“There is more to beauty than a firm behind and a pretty face.” She said with a hint of her old fiery self.

“That woman has a temper like the fire-spitting mountains. Prisoners tend to lose their grace.” I mocked the mortal who was forever cursed to be among the dead. I had met her only once and it was rather unpleasant.

“You lack all respect.” She smiled grandmotherly. To her I must have appeared like a child. How infuriating. “I would like to ask her if she could grow to love her captor one day.”

“Are you mad? She must revile him more than anyone else in this world.”

“Time heals all wounds.” She sipped on her wine gracefully.

“You speak of love, yet the man you adored has died a century ago.” I said something rather spiteful.

“Love has many forms.”

“Why have you never searched for another man? There must have been plenty to vie for you. To live this long without any desire is impossible.”

“We priestesses of Athena have sworn an oath of celibacy.”

I remembered that fact at the same time as she spoke. The three virgin goddesses Athena, Artemis and Hestia all asked of their priestesses the same ideal. Maidenhood and purity were more important than offerings. These temples were the hallowed ground that could only be managed by those purest of all.

The temple would be defiled should any of them engage in sexual relations upon its grounds. That was why men were kept separate and priestesses had to swear their oaths. It was a heavy burden for humans, but it showed their incredible devotion.

“Your goddess is cruel indeed.”

“You misunderstand Lady Athena. She is never cruel. There are things about her that one could only understand after spending as much time with her as I have. I see many similarities between the two of you.”

“You dare insult me?” I glared at her.

“Do not act like that. It is the truth. For example, your great curiosity is all too similar to hers.” Palla explained unperturbed. “And there is also your towering pride.”

“It is only natural to be proud.” I retorted.

“Of course.” She smiled.

“That woman does not resemble me beyond such shallow comparisons. I will never understand how you could respect her.”

“She is far more understanding than you at least. She allows us to meet this way after all.” Palla said with her eyes closed lightly.

I sat up and felt my body become tense. For just a moment I had felt a presence that could not be seen or heard. All my senses told me there was nothing, but my soul knew better.

“She is observing us?” I muttered.

“She always has.”

“Always? Since the first time we met?” I put the pieces together.

“Indeed so. She has never interfered or objected.”

“You could have mentioned it.”

“I could have.” She agreed.

“She heard everything you said. Have you no qualms with this?”

“There is nothing I would wish to hide from my mistress. My life is hers and the world is a stage that she may observe however she wishes.”

“I did not agree to be part of her play.” I said darkly.

“We never choose our roles. Don’t be so upset, it is all for the best. I have learned that it is best to be honest and trust in her.”

“Trust is earned…”

“Oh Medusa.” She put her dry hand on my lap and smiled. “If you do not trust her, then trust in me. Everything will keep moving forward, even without me.”

“Trust you? Why would I do that?” I replied in rejection. I was truly upset that she had kept such a secret from me.

“Because I love you. I love you as much as I do Lady Athena.”

There was no deception in her eyes, no malice. Not even uncertainty. Those old eyes had an incredible innocence to them. Not even I could refute them.

“My ship will sail off tomorrow. This will be the last time we can meet like this.” Palla folded her hands and looked at the clear white moon. “Let us not argue and instead reminisce about the good times.” She said tranquilly.

I still felt angry, but the flames died down already. If this was the end for this old woman that I had known for a fair amount of time, then I should have been able to overlook it just this once.

“Fine.”

The next day the priestesses prepared for their trip across the sea. None of them recognized me as they were already two generations ahead of the ones that knew me. When Palla told them I was a guest that would stay to watch over the temple while they were gone they even bowed their heads to me.

“Stay for as long as you need. This sanctuary is yours now.” Palla took my hands and said her goodbyes.

“Take a good look at everything you wish to see. Take those sights with you forever.” I said solemnly and nodded.

“Goodbye.” She turned towards the younger priestesses supporting her and then took the cane to walk on her own. Her long grey hair was tied into a braid… it was quite different from the short and wild hair of her youth.

I saw them off as the sailors used the rudders to get onto the mild waves. Yesterday’s storms had waned, so they would be fine.

After the ship had turned as small as a walnut shell I stopped staring and turned to the temple. The only people still around were servants and a couple of older priestesses. Someone had to be around at all times. It was a strange feeling to have come back here so openly and the eyes of the few remaining humans were clearly on me every step I took.

Maybe I would stay for one more day to be sure that I was out of danger and then slip away as if I had never been here…

A heavy breeze hit my back and made me stop in my thoughts. Behind me was a large dark cloud formation. It had sprung up so suddenly that there had been no hint of it just an hour ago. My eyes widened as I realized what direction the heavy winds came from. It was crossing the ship route of the priestesses.

“Why have you picked up the trail again?” I glared at the supernatural storm that spread across the sea. Poseidon had found me somehow. Perhaps I could have felt relief because I was still safe here, but the truth was catastrophic. No ship could managed to best that storm.

“Damn you usurper!” I spread my wings and rushed into the air, flying towards the direction of the ship with wild abandon. Immediately I was hit by waves of spraying rain and sickle like gusts.

It was hard to see anything in this weather, but I pushed forward. The destructive force of nature was centered around a single point, so I knew Poseidon was approaching. I had to act quickly. I managed to open my eyes and see something harrowing.

The ship had been turned over by large waves and the mast was broken off. The crew had already been swept away and the passengers could not have been much better off. The helpless ship eventually got crushed by a giant rock that penetrated the ocean. A small island was close-by, so the waters were getting shallower already. The horrific irony of their salvation being so close to them and still dying in this chaos made bile rise up my throat.

The pieces of the ship were floating wildly and quickly spread apart. In all of this I could not find any humans. With a grim expression I dove into the water and looked around below the tearing surface. In the darkness of the endless ocean I could see just as if it was illuminated by the sun, so I could perceive the slowly sinking corpses and chests around me.

My heart nearly skipped a beat when I saw the person I was looking for being pulled down by a rope tied around her legs that was attached to a large piece of metal. She was sinking into the depth so fast that I could barely keep up. I swam against the currents and got a hold of Palla and the rope dragging her down. I tore it apart and picked her up. Her eyes and mouth were open… she should have drowned already.

But her eyes focused on me.

She was still alive… somehow.

I rushed to the surface and burst through it, then immediately flew towards the small island nearby that was more akin to a sandbank. I pushed her down and covered her with my wings as the storm raged around us. Her lungs were filled to the brim with ocean water, yet she wouldn’t drown. She painfully shook and tried to spill the water from her mouth.

I took her and held her upside-down so that the water would spill out of her. She coughed and made terrible sounds, but eventually breathed again.

I put her down softly and then realized that my hands were red…

A large piece of wood was stuck in Palla’s torso. I had not noticed in the confusion, but it was so thick that there was no hope for her anymore. Any normal human would have passed out and faded away already.

Why did she not?

“Huurrrts….!” She twisted in pain and spilled tears.

The wound was too severe, yet she would not die. She was forced to continue experiencing this pain. I gazed at her neck and realized what it was. The shell did not allow her to die.

“Medusaa… Medusa… please… make it… stop…” The old woman begged me with endless pain in her voice. Her weak arm grabbed tightly onto my wrist.

“It will be over soon.” I clenched my teeth and took the cord from her neck and pulled it over her head.

Except I could not.

“Ahhh... uwaaah!” She twisted in pain, but I could not help her.

The cord did not move over her head. There was an invisible resistance that I could not overcome. A barrier of some sort that kept it around her neck no matter how much force was applied.

My mind was on fire.

This was Athena’s doing! After our conversation, after finding out what Palla had planned, she had altered the blessing so that it could not be lifted! This was no blessing anymore… it was a punishment. That woman had meddled with Palla for so long that she was now treated as a tool that had no say in the matter.

She would continue to suffer, unable to die. Even if I pulled out the sharp piece of wood, even if her wounds healed, the pain would continue on until her very body fell to dust in the wind. Was that the love that she deserved? Was that how trust was repaid?!

“Medusa… ple---ase…” Her fearful and fading eyes met my enraged mind and begged of me to end it all.

There was one more way. Even if I could not pull it over her head, there was still one way to sever them apart.

My wet and cold hand went unto her shaking head.

My other hand went to her throat.

“I am sorry.”

Swiftly, painlessly, emotionlessly… Her head was severed from her body.

The shell fell into the reddened sand.

I took her lifeless body and head into my arms and stood tall. Without a word I moved through the air and headed back for Sarpedon.

The storm had reached the island and carried ominous winds with it, but I did not care. I landed in the temple yard like I did centuries ago, holding the same girl – the same woman – in my arms and placing her down before the terrified priestesses and servants.

“Her… her… Grand Prie- what have you done to her?!” The women cried out and some even emptied their stomachs in horror.

“The ship sank. There were no survivors.” I said with an emotionless voice.

“N-no storm could cause t-that!” The oldest priestess held a hand before her mouth and looked at me accusingly. “Did you do this to her…?”

“I did.” I replied with hollowed eyes.

“Monster!”

“False goddess!”

They screamed in anger and grief.

“Bury her in this island’s soil. Her soul is finally free.” I ordered them uncaringly.

I would confront Athena. This little game with a mortal woman had gone too far. She would pay for making me do this…

RRRRUMBLE

The earth shook. An earthquake accompanied by roaring thunder. All signs of the great ruler of the seas’ approach.

I stood stiffly in the incessant rain and watched the waves approach. My heartbeat was the only thing I heard anymore. Hot or cold, I could not tell them apart anymore.

In the distance the red eyes penetrated the clouds and heavy fog.

He was here. He had found me.

The island was Athena's domain. He could not get to me here...

I did not care. I was done running from these evil gods. These usurpers who treated everything as their pawns. Those who carelessly crushed all these pathetic insects without a second glance.

With seething hatred and indomitable pride I stepped into the water. The raging white stallion galloped across the giant waves, headed right for me. I raised my arms and the water around me took the shape of an equally large tidal wave. It reacted to my mind and crashed into the opposing force. An explosion of water and sea creatures shook the ocean around us for hundreds of parasenges.

I knew not how to contain my emotions, I had no path but forward, even with my opponent’s overwhelming might. Our powers clashed, but each trade was a colossal strain on me. I could barely lift my arms anymore after the fourth hour and the next wave spilled me backwards. I sank into the dark water and was caught by a giant hoof hitting my chest. It was such a heavy blow that my vision blacked out completely.

My mind phased in and out of consciousness after that.

I remember weakly resisting… but being tossed around.

Then I woke up on the back of the giant dripping horse mane.

The clacking of hooves became more solid… we were at the temple…

Somehow Poseidon had set foot on Sarpedon… he carried me into the temple…

I was pushed down… the hot and slimy saliva of the horse’s mouth dripped onto my face…

My body could not move… he stepped on top of me and moved his hips…

I could not feel pain… I could not feel anything but numbness…

The day turned to night and the night was long.

He had his way with me for so long that I could not even think anymore… all I saw was the giant statue of Athena before me, staring at me with disgust and contempt.

Why did she not move? She only watched this painful scene…

I passed out repeatedly and was brought back to consciousness, forcefully.

When it was finally over Poseidon left me lying on the ground, inside the empty and wet temple. He galloped away as swiftly as he could… He must have come to his senses… far too late…

My mind blacked out again and I lied on the cold ground for hours…

Until I awoke to the first ray of a hesitant sun. My dulled eyes looked up to the statue again. Her face was the most despicable thing I had ever seen in my life.

My entire body was in pain, yet I forced my arms to raise me up even slightly. I could see her bare feet before me. I needed to rise up to resist…!

“Gorgon.” Athena spoke down to me.

“…rrgh…” I could not respond. My legs were useless. They had been crushed by the hooves.

“You have made a mockery of my hospitality and I forgave you.”

“ARGH!” The wooden part of her spear was pushed onto my hand, so I collapsed.

“You have slain my Grand Priestess with your own hands and yet I still would have forgiven you.”

“GAAAAH!” The spear pierced my other hand.

“And lastly you have defiled my temple with your filthy act! You have sullied the hallowed ground and brought Poseidon’s lust into my halls!”

“----!” I bit my tongue, unable to even scream as the spear tip pierced my chest. It was as hot as molten earth from the fiery mountains.

“Hear these words of justice. Hear my judgement: I will strip you of your divinity!”

She dragged the spear out of my chest and red light was pulled out alongside it. My eyes turned white as I felt my very essence being dragged from my soul.

“I will take away your beauty!”

My skin was ruptured painfully as my hair dropped from my head and hissing snakes burst out of it.

“No man shall ever fall for you again, no human or god will be tempted by you!”

My white eyes began to glow and it was as if patterns were seared into my retinas… they turned silver as the curse completely suffocated me. I was petrified and at that moment the attribute of my curse fused with me.

“You are now a monster which all the world shall revile. The name Gorgon shall be feared!”

Athena rammed her spear into the ground and left my twitching torn soul to itself.

“This temple has lost its purity because of you, so it shall be your exile, your prison and your tomb.”

Those were the last words the goddess of wisdom and war spoke to me before vanishing into her statue. It crumbled right after and fell to a thousand pieces around me.

I writhed around in pain as my lower half turned into a snake’s and my fingers became claws. Scales covered my body from head to toe and I could feel an insatiable lust for destruction.

I raged through the halls and destroyed them. The few humans who had cowered in fear outside ran for their lives, but most of them were petrified merely by looking at me. Only a handful had barely managed to make it to a boat and escaped my wrath. With them they took the remains of the former Grand Priestess.

The temple was hit by earthquakes and fell in on itself, but my claws tore apart everything else until I could not hear my own thoughts anymore.

Then I woke up… not sure how much later.

I was lying in in the debris of the main building and looked up at the scorching sun. I was all alone… or was I?

Four hands grabbed my head and lifted it up. I reflexively closed my cursed eyes, but they pushed them back open. Before me sat two beautiful girls, eerily similar to my old appearance.

““Sister.”” They spoke in unison.

“Who…?” My monstrous throat could barely form words.

““We were born from your severed divinity. You will never be alone.””

Their words sounded wrong. Hollow. As if spoken by a soulless vessel. In my fear and self-pity I had birthed these ‘sisters’ from my old self. Mindless things that only existed to be at my side.

I rose up and gazed across the destroyed temple. My prison.

I saw the petrified humans, I saw the empty eyes of my 'sisters' and I saw the ugliness of my body in the puddles.

As my senses returned I felt something revolting inside me. I could tell even without my divine senses.. My fangs grew longer and my cursed eyes were filled with endless hatred. I clawed at my stomach, trying to tear it apart.

I was pregnant.

“I swear to you damned gods… I will never bear this spawn! Until I take my last breath they will never be born!”

I angrily shouted to the heavens.

The Gorgon ended her tale.

She had expected it, but it was still painful to see Eugenia cry her eyes out. The girl had not been able to stop for a while. Eventually she embraced Medusa and pushed her face against her stomach.

Hesitantly Medusa put her hand through the girl’s hair and stroked it calmingly. She had begun and ended her story in this fashion, so it felt like they were still at the beginning.

Eugenia sniffed and tried her best to regain her composure.

“That punishment… was too cruel…!” She said as hot tears streamed from her face and soaked Medusa’s chiton.

“…” She could not respond. Her story had been long and recalling it had taken a lot out of her.

“You didn’t deserve it!”

“I have learned to accept it now.” She finally managed to say something

“The gods were too cruel… they didn’t understand you.” She pushed her face closer to the Gorgon’s belly. “You are pregnant? You never said anything… All of those wounds and the fighting must have hurt the children.”

“They are unharmed. They were conceived, but I forcibly stopped their growth. They will forever stay in the earliest state of existence…. Until the day I die. Then I will take them with me.” Again she showed that horrific monstrous expression. This topic was destroying her cool façade. “That is my revenge against Poseidon.”

“You suffered so much.” Eugenia raised her head and held onto Medusa’s face. “I was ignorant… I only considered my perspective. I blindly took Athena’s side.”

Medusa looked upon the milky eyes of the girl and felt a sharp pain in her heart.

“I am so sorry for everything I said.” She put her forehead against Medusa’s and let her warmth flow to her. “I understand now why you didn’t want to tell me this story.”

“I am not so weak that I wished to spare myself-“ Medusa already tried to defend her pride, but…

“You wanted to spare me.” Eugenia knew. She truly understood now.

Medusa’s eyes widened and her mouth, agape, was unable to put up a quick denial.

“You have seen the worst sides of humans and gods. I understand that you would feel nothing but pain and hatred.” She closed in on the Gorgon’s face.

“Eugenia, you-“ Her lips were covered before they could say any more.

Eugenia gave Medusa a warm and tender kiss.

“You don’t have to be afraid of love. Your curse will never stop me.”

“You foolish human. Did you not listen? There is no meaning to this kiss.”

“Then I will keep trying until it has meaning!”

Ba-thump

Medusa looked on in confusion as her heart tightened. Before her stood this foolish human girl, surrounded by the light of the sundown. She seemed to be glowing.

“I will keep chasing you no matter where you try to hide. I will make you understand me, like I understand you. Then these feelings will have meaning. It may be selfish of me, but I am only human after all. We are selfish to the core, remember?”

“But…”

“You are not alone anymore. You can share it with me now. Let me try.” She embraced the Gorgon tightly.

Medusa did not move or reciprocate the hug, but she felt many contradicting emotions. With a lost expression she said:

“Do as you please.”

At the end of her tale, the Gorgon found despair. At the end of the tale, the blind woman found conviction. This contradiction was their fate.