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When I felt your eyes on me I could tell they weren’t with disgust at the way I looked. They were scared. I know what it’s like to be treated different’y for the way that you look. I’ve never seen my face, or anyone’s for that matter…” She trailed off
“Thank you,” Medusa replied solemnly, “Just thank you, you have no idea how long I’ve wanted someone to see me for something other than the way I look. Granted I’ve looked like a hideous viper woman for the last year.”
“Well I’ve always found snakes to be fascinating,” She reached up to where Medusa’s golden hair would’ve been and entwined her fingers throught her snakes. They seemed to relly like Uzuri because they let out hisses of joy and cuddled up in her palm.
Uzuri was overjoyed that her snakes wanted to interact with her. She said they felt different than she’d imagined them. Medusa beamed with pride that Uzuri thought something she had was cool.

Walking out of the cave Medusa helped Uzuri carry the little amount of belongings she had. She still couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that the prettiest mortal Medusa’s ever seen gave up her entire life just to be with her. And to think she woke up this morning craving mango’s, and never thought she’d get someone as sweet as her.
“Ok so first things first,”Uzuri began, “Shelter we need somewhere to sleep so that we won’t be attached by predators.”
“Predators? Have you ever been out of that cave?” Medusa was truly curious
“Yeah. Well kinda,” Uzuri hesitated. “Sometimes I’ll swim in the lagoon the lines the waterfall. But my mother forbade me from benturing further because..” she gestured to her face.”It was tough when the village would take their annual trip to the Outside and collect their year’s worth of food.”
Medusa awkwardly pulled Uzuri in close and apologized for her difficulty. “Well I’ll tell you Uzuri that there is no predators on this island so we have nothing to worry about.”
“Please tell me your fibbing.” she glared out into the sunset creating a soft light on her milky eyes. “Theirs bears and lions in the trees, everyone knows that.”
Medusa burst out in a fit of laughter tht made Uzuri begin to worry. Never in her entire life had medusa heard anything as absurd as a lion in a tree in the jungle. Uzuri was clearly confused and worried for Medusa’s cackling. Calming he laughter she briefly explained that lions lived in the safari an that bears lived in the forest and not te jungle.
“Please tell me you’ve heard of the forest and the safari.” Uzuri shook her head in confusion.
“All we know is the information passed down from the great elder wh ofounded our village almost 100 years ago. He’s the only one of us that’s seen the other world and knows what it holds.”
“Well than your leaders a little but dumb in the head.” Medusa muttered aloud, “OH SHOOT. I didn’t mean to say that aloud. But he’s clearly demented, or mixing up his locations.”
As the two of them wandered the vegetated jungle she explained all the questions Uzuri had about the outside world and the people in it. Medusa loved that she took interest in the things that she had to say. All the Gods and Godesses, including her family, never took interest to the things that she had to say. All the research and the interactions she had to the mortals seemed to be for nothing; but now she got to put all of the to use.
They wandered together until the stars were in the sky and the only noticeable sound was the banging of the waves on the shore.
They’d found a spot under the fronds of a banana tree to lie for the night. There they lie side by side their bodies almost touching as they gazed into the illuminated darkness of the night.
“Humans also have this food called ice cream. Its like creamy flavored milk, and it comes in so many different flavors. But theirs a curse to eatin it too fast.”
Uzuri gasped in amazement and told Medusa about her favorite meal. Where they took the sap from the trees and coated it over the fresh fruit and it tasted like heaven. Uzuri then began to sprout all of her favorite things back when she was younger. All the activities she tries to participate in. Their nightly bonfires that melted her insides and made her feel all cozy.

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Uzuri shuffled over closter to Medusa and brushed her hand along her wrist. She flinched, painful memories rushing through her brain. She wanted to cry remembering it all. The pain she felt from leaving her family, leaving Athena. Knowing that the last conversation she had with her mother was a stupid argument.
She wished she could take it all back. All the harmful things she said to her mom and sisters. The pointless arguments they'd have over the most pointless of topics. Why couldn't she have said that she loved her family and visited when they asked her to. Rather than staying out in this horrid mortal world.
Uzuri noticed Medusa's reaction to her touch and apologized. It wasn't her fault she didn't know anything personal about her. She decided then and there that if the two of them were to live out their mortal lives together that might as well know everything about one another.
"Uzuri, tell me something." She began, "But something that you've never confessed to anyone."
Uzuri was hesitant, of course she wouldn't tell her something that personal they just met that day. However she surprised her by telling her something she didn't expect.
"See this," she lifted her dress to reveal a large scar the size of a pencil below her bellybutton. "Several years ago when I was about 15 there were two foreigners that got shipwrecked on our island. They didn't have food or money. Thankfully the island provided them with enough food. They also explored the island for more Information and stumbled upon us. They humbled themselves and worked in our farms in exchange for food and shelter. No one thought anything of it until one of the men met me. They found me beautiful—"
"Who hasn't," Medusa mumbled. Uzuri chuckled and resumed her story
"The stranger knew what he wanted and wouldn't let anyone talk him out of it. His partner kept telling him that it was wrong and if he ever went through with it then he'd be a dead man. He still persisted. Late one night he broke into my room and forced himself into me." She paused, Medusa felt tears land on her arm. Medusa said she didn't have to finish but Uzuri stubbornly continued.
"He did things to me that I feel ashamed of. And throughout the entire time I couldn't see anything, just pain muted by his hand. I don't know how much time went by but I managed to free my hand. I took a rock crystal and rammed it into his head. I don't know if he was unconscious or not but it didn't matter because I beat him with that rock until I was sure he wasn't breathing."
There was a deadly silence that stung. She didn't know she was capable of killing  a grown man. Medusa felt slightly powerless that she couldn't manage to fight off Poseidon. Medusa apologized for her pain but she joked that that wasn't the worst of it.
"This scar is the painful aftermath of that whole fiasco. Even though I killed him the damage had been done. He'd managed to impregnate me and curse a child with a child. We didn't discover this until three months later. Only my mother knew about it, and we Intended to keep it that way. So we waited until the child got big enough to cleanly discarded of. Four months later we forced the child out of my stomach it was too early like we planned so the child didn't survive. But the incision left this scar. Sometimes I still cry over it all these years later. I killed a living human being and it killed me."
Medusa did t have words to say. Her lips were dry and ridden of thought. She knew the pain she was feeling and she knew hers. They'd both been used for the way that they looked. Their beauty cloaked their kind hearts and prevented people from getting to know them.
When enough silence had passed  Medusa blurted out the first thought on her mind. "Men suck"
Uzuri laughed in agreement and asked what happened to her that she thought that.
Medusa briefly explained her traumatic situation and Uzuri felt sad for her. Medusa also explained that's why she was hesitant on Uzuri touching her wrists. She obviously understood and apologized again.
" You know what we should do? We should forget men and jerkass god's altogether. Just live our free lives you and me." Medusa squinted I to the dark to make out Uzuri perfectly framed face. Sheroares in agreement shouting "NO MORE MEN" I to the dead of night. Medusa laughed lightly and joined her. They shouted I to the night and up at the stars. They were free birds of a feather and their was no force in the universe that could stop them.❤️❤️❤️

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Stone Blind 	PART 1: ASCENDING There are many tales in the history of the Greeks and Romans. Many of which are untold and unknown to man. Some of these fables are even used up to this day. However over time mortals have twisted and morphed the original story. No one can tell what truly occurred. So I would like to share a sliver in the life of the foretold villain known as Medusa…	Medusa was known buy all gods on Olympus, even before her untimely misfortune. She was recognized as one of the only children of gods that was born with mortality. Even though this set her apart, her immense beauty caught the eye of every man and woman that beheld her. Many will say she was boastful and proud of her looks but the truth to the matter is she was humble and kind. Commoners stopped her in the streets and asked if she was a goddess and sometimes gave their tributes to her. She was said to be the image of perfection, an angelic item. She spent the majority of her life on the grounds of the human world, Earth. She found the people utterly fascinating. How they live and feel for another, she was so intertwined in their culture and customs that she began to live like them. Medusa never minded, she began to ponder why the gods were so vicious to these tenderhearted people. She did realize their were terrible people in the world, and that no one was perfect but they should still be granted mercy. 	A cloudy afternoon she was summoned to the heavens by her mother for the first time in centuries. Although her parents weren’t known like Zeus or Posidon, they were titans. The originals, and they were absolutely massive. Naturally they could change their forms like every god could but her mother remained in her titanic shape. Described to Medusa it was because it felt more natural to be in their normal form. Like every god they had quite a few children and for remembrance purposes Medusa and her sisters. She hadn’t interacted with most of her family in quite some time, so Medusa was eager to reunite with her beloved mother and sisters. Her father, Phorkys was a case that made her nose flair every time she heard his name. After the birth of her and her sisters he left them and was soon killed by some stuck up scumbag named Ajax. As much as Medusa despised her father she believed there was no worse way to die than by some scruffy teenager who still gets the occasional voice crack. Medusa was thankful she was in Athens at the time because she couldn’t bear having to travel miles to get to olympus. All she really had to do was catch the Golden Pegasus. The metro train that was a oneway ride to the top. Years ago Zeus had declared that the gods should ‘modernize’ the routes to olympus. So he forced Hepastus to create an exclusive only transportation to olympus so the gods could come an go as they please from the mortal world to theirs.Medusa put on her best clothes and combed her luxurious golden hair. She’d been reminded by her mother that this was her best feature and that people would still love her for her looks and her undoubatable personality. Tying it up with a bright green ribbon, she rushed to the station where she presented a harpy her VIP pass onto the pegasus. Sitting in the golden lined compartment she took in all its beauty from the front to the back. I’d been a while since she’d taken this way to Olympus but it was mesmerizing each and every time. She was seated in a cushioned chair that had reclining and heating features. Topped with a breathtaking view of Athens from the window seat. After the train began its journey she was unexpectedly met by another harpy whose feathers clashed in a swarm of reds, greens, and blues. The harpy extended their talon and offered her a thick menu containing thousands of edible choices.“Courtesy of your mother, lady Medusa. She said you may choose whatever you like.” they bowed and left her to her indecisive choosing. “Hmmm, what to choose” Medusa pondered aloudShe knew she wanted some nektar, but there were special infusions she could add to it. Her eye caught a raspberry infusion and then she wandered over to the dessert menu. When the harpy returned to take her order she ended up asking for five various dessert options and two different kinds of nektar. The harpy assured her it would arrive shortly and Medusa waited in anticipation for her delectable meal. She thought about how mad her mother would be that she ordered all those desserts and not a single dose of protein or fiber. The fact that Medusa was mortal technically made any god-produced food toxic to her stomach, but they all looked so good she couldn’t resist. And some minor bathroom problems weren't going to stop her. Her desserts, delivered on a silver platter, came as soon has her daydream ended. The thick slice of lemon meringue pie with a generous amount of cream on top was the first item she consumed. Hosing down her throat with the raspberry nektar, she then ate the biggest snickerdoodle cookie she’d ever seen, followed by and orange and blueberry tart. Her sugar tooth craved more eventhough her stomach didn’t. At that moment the only voice she heard was her tooth’s cry of hunger for more carbs. She ate a tiramisu that enriched her mouth with the sweet taste of chocolate espresso. Then completed her meal with a hefty slice of toast with lemon curd spread, and the second helping of nektar. Medusa’s hunger was slaked and she felt like she was going to vomit a rainbow. She had that unshakable feeling that she was fat from all the food she just consumed. And going to reunite with her family in this state made her feel unpresentable. Stepping out onto the polished rocks of Mount Olympus she was greeted by a less than pleasant sight. What looked like a handycentuar was hanging an ‘out of order’ sign over the escalator that lead to the greeting plaza. Which indicated that her only way to meet her mother and sisters was to climb 70 individual flights of stairs by foot. Medusa let out a depressed moan of anger and began to trot towards the top. She said some unkind human swears she’d picked up from the people down there as she stepped higher and higher. By flight 23, her heart wanted to escape her chest and her ankles wanted to murder themselves. She knew their was no way she would make it to the top by 3:00, the time she agreed to meet them. Medusa pursued, and managed to push herself for another 17 layers of stairs before she collapsed, heaving on the cold stone steps. What felt like hours until someone recovered her was really only minutes. A glowing figure emerged from behind a large cumulonimbus cloud. As they drew into her line of sight she cried out for someone to help her. Seeing it was a rather skinny, yet muscular man. As he drew closter she recognized some signature winged shoes. Their golden soles on what seem to be a fancy pair of Nike Air Jordans. Their platinum wings flapping rapidly from the ankles. This bone of a creature was none other than the God of travel, Hermes.PART 2: REUNITED 	Medusa’s savior looked like a walking Nike advertiser. His curly red-tinted hair was hung high in a messy bun and secured with a neon yellow sweatband. His golden eyes radiated positive energy that warmed Medusa’s heart.	“Medusa? I thought that was you. No one had hair quite as golden as that, am I right. How you been?” Hermes blabbered. 	Even with her little time on Olympus, Hermes was never the quiet type. He’d blab on and on talking bout random nymphs and dryads, and the weirdest topics. Medusa didn’t mind him either. He was just a quirky god that was incredibly extroverted. “Wat’cha doing, sprawled out on the stairs?” He quirked his head, like a confused puppy.Medusa briefly described her dilemma and how she was going to die on the steps of Olympus alone. Hermes found her story hilarious and topled back on air cracking up. “I don’t understand what’s so funny?” “You’re so dramatic, Doucha”Medusa forgot about the horrid nickname everyone had for her. Her melodramatic sisters thought she was a big douchebag when she lived up here, so instead of their cute nickname of Dusa’ they morphed it into Doucha. Medusa sighed and begged Hermes to never call her that again. He held up his hands defensively and caimed he was just playing around.Medusa was done with his child idiocy, so she got up and began to ascend once more. Hermes tailed her blabbing on and on about how Zeus was sleeping around again and how he probably had more half-siblings than ever before. Then he proceeded to describe a new invention of humans called animation. She tried to block out his monotone voice but it was literally impossible. “Hermes could you possibly do me a favor?” she questioned“Sure, Doucha, anything.” “Fly on ahead and tell my mother I’m going to be late, because of the stair incident.”Hermes thought about my request for a solid minute then bleakly replied “No”“But,” he began, “I can do this.” he grunted and reached out his arms and scooped Medusa in his arms. Before she sould escape she was launched up hundreds of feet in the air. Medusa let out cries of fear as the windy pressure pounded in her ears. She screamed for Hermes to let her down, but he refused claiming he was ‘helping her’,“You put me on the ground right now or I swear I’ll beat you when we land.”“Then I guess we’ll never land.” Hermes teased. Medusa’s hair was getting in her face causing her to see through thick blonde lines. She refused to look below her, and as much as she despised it all she could do was bury her face in Hermes sweaty Adidas shirt. She pleaded silently with him to release her, and for once he listened to reason. The two of them descended towards solid ground where she could make out figures of what looked like her mother and her sisters. There were other people that stood by them, some who looked unfamiliar to her. Whoever they were, Medusa thought, they better watch their back. Her sisters were both immortal and indestructiblele. 	When Medusa estimated she was bout 10 feet from the ground she jumped. The last thing she wanted was to be cradled in the arms of a bony Nike fanboy. Her dress fluttered like a flower around her as she gracefully flew towards the ground. Landing on both feet she beamed with joy at her amazing feat. Standing in front of her was the happiest sight to behold. Her beloved mother and her sisters Stheno and Euryale.	Scream of delight escaped her lips as she galloped towards her sisters and embraced them in the warmest hug she’d felt in a while. Releasing for breaths of air she linked herself in her mothers arms, lightly kissing the back of her neck. After saying their joyful greetings they wandered in the direction of her mother’s home. 	“Come Gorgo,” she called for Medusa, she forgot all about her biological name, she changed it immediately when she got to the human realm. Because of its unsettling meaning of ‘grim’ she didn’t want that to be the name people referred to her as. She tried to correct her mother on her untimely mistake but she was already going.	“Come on child,” her mother beckoned, “I have a lovely surprise for you.”	If there was one thing that Medusa hated was surprises. Every time someone contrapted one for her, even out of love, they ended up going terribly wrong. Once for her birth celebration her sister created a beautiful scenery of animals and flowers recreating a breathtaking jungle-like landscape. However she could barely walk through it because all of the branches and leaves entangled themselves in her hair. Evenstill, she was swept away by her wrist to somewhere she didn’t want to know. 	Surprisingly enough, it was her house. The place she grew up in, with her sisters and her parents. She assumed seeing the house itself was the surprise because her mother was never the kind of woman for surprises. However, Medusa was fasionably wrong. She was lead through the door by Stheno and up a the forever winding staircase. When she reached the pivot of the stairs, the stopped in front of an engraved wooden door. Medusa remembered this door, the one she’d enter everytime she felt hothead or when she was sad because the children at school teased her for being mortal. Or when her father surprised her with nektar when she was feeling under the weather. Her bedroom, her sanctuary. Tears began to prickle on the ends of her eyes, they felt hot but she didn’t mind. She was unaware how much she missed this place until it was gone. Stheno embraced her and comforted her through soothing shushes. She was soon joined by Euryale who joked that she was missing all the fun and joined their group enbrace. 	After several minutes she opened the door and stood in the doorway admiring the nostalgic elements of the room. The large bookcase filled with her favorite novels, the bed that still had that lavender bedspread ,or the desk that was scattered with trophies and nick-nacks. And the massive white fluffy rug she used to roll around on when she was stressed. 	“I’ll give you a minute to unpack your things and take a moment,” Stheno said as the lock clicked behind her. 	Medusa hopped ontop of her bed collapsing in a pool of pillows. She was finally feeling like she was home. Thats when she noticed the one unusual thing in the room. A small bouquet of flowers on the windowsill. Their peculiar crimson color attracted her towards them. They were poppies, and attached to the vase they were held in was a slip of paper that read: Welcome home. Signed with a signature she did not expect. Poseidon.PART 3: CELEBRATION	Her mother took her shopping at the local Olympus Mall as a treat. She’d bought several items of clothing called ‘band t-shirts’ They were her new favorite thing to wear in the human realm. She found the pictures and people on them utterly fascinating. 	“Why did you choose to but those ghastly things child?” Her mother retorted in disgust.” There are so many lovely tunic and gown stores here. Only the best as you know.”	Medusa rolled her eyes and explained that she was more accustomed to the human dressing fashion than the Olympian one. The second she finished her sentence her her mother perked up. Her eyes grew wide like a dog seeing a squirrel. 	“Dress! Gown!. Oh gods I forgot!” she scheeched crimping her hair with her hands.	“Gorgo I totally forgot to tell you about the gala tonight. It’s a special gathering Zeus wanted to hold, marking the beginning of the winter solstice. Which just to happens to be tonight. Your sisters already bought their gowns months ago and the idea for you just slipped my mind. So we must go try on some now.” Her mother blabbed on and on until they reached a little boutique called Dryads Dressed and Formal Wear. The windows were lined with models wearing elegant dressed with glitter and golden embroidery. From the moment they entered they were greeted by two green dryads with long ears. They were clothed in flowy white dresses and sandals. 	“Lady Ceto and..” she hesitated, “Mistress Gorgo.” 	“Please, I prefer Medusa now.” she beamedMedusa’s mother scoweled at the sound of her new name. She continued into the store towards the section for Medusa’s rather embarrassing dress size. As she gazed at the more modest dressed Medusa’s attention was drawn somewhere else. She set her eyes on a beautiful long green lacy dress. It was patterned with winding snakes and light pink lotuses. There were cold shoulders, and mesh sleeves that puffed out at the elbows. The gown seemed like a vision from a fairytail itself and she craved to try it on. Clearly the dryad noticed Medusa’s  hunger and spoke up, “would you like to try that one on.”She nodded vigorously and ran towards the direction of the dressing room. Her mother was still three steps ahead and caught her forearm before she could set foot in there. She scolded her for how inappropriately she was running the the store then demanded she see this dress she so longed to try on.“ABSLOUTELY NOT.” Her mother hollered, “Do you know how incredibly inmodest that dress is. You can see all of your arms through those sleeves. People will be eyeing you the entire night.” “It’s fine mother.” she promised, “no one is that savage. It’s just a gala and I really adore this dress look at the impeccable embroidery job on the lace. And the lotus flowers they added are breathtaking.” The dryads ears turned a rosy shade of pink and glanced towards the floor in embarrassment. Medusa pleaded with her mother to let her at least try the dress on. She tailed her around the boutique begging and begging until she gave into her persuasion. “FINE, fine. Try on the damned dress and if you can convince me then you can have it.” She rested her head in her handMedusa squeeled and raced back to the room to try it on. Thanking the dryad and shutting the door she began to hurriedly undress. When she was just in her undergarments she admired all of the scars and bruises on her body. She wasn’t a fan of her baby pudge but she still thought that her body in this dress would make her look absolutely breathtaking. Opening the door she showed off the gown to her mother. She walked towards her and gave a little sway in the way that she walked. Stopping in her tracks she gave a modeling spin and curtsey.“So, mom.” She said in a seductive tone, “Have I convinced you. Has my breathtaking choice in clothing blown you away to let me purchase this.” She striked a quirky pose then chuckled. All of the sudded her mother nodded, “As much as I despise this dress you however, might not. I’ll let you choose what you wear and won’t fight back.” Her face suddenly grew grim. “Just remember, Medusa, their are people at his gala that are not for the feint of heart. They appear to be nice on the outside but are reckless monsters underneath. You are one of the most beautiful people that I know. As I’ve said before beauty is—” “Both a blessing and a curse.” Medusa finishedHer mother smiled her rare smile and told her to unchange. After she generously purchased the dress and tipped for their service they were off to go get ready for the night to come. As they arrived at the house her sister ran out of the house to swarm them with question. She couldn’t even hear her breathing it was so loud. Her mother swore at them to say back and let her get inside. She then unfolded the dress from its milky box and unfurrled it before them. Gasps of pure delight escaped their lips, and Medusa was convinced that Euryale was going to cry.They all showered her with complements on how good she’d look in it. Her face grew hot and she shoved away all their attention. “Oh right the gala.” Stheno perked up. “We need to get ready its in a few hours.” Dragging her up the stairs once more they shoved her into the powder room this time. They circled her like hawks applying foundation, concealer, blush and other various cosmetic items. Within thirty minutes she felt like a different person. She no longer had that zit on the side of her face and her eyes looked bigger and bolder. She had eyeliner sharper than a knife and eyelashes that felt too heavy to be real. Breathless she studdered a thank you. Stheno and Euryale glanced at eachother and high fived. “All in a day’s work.” Stheno sighed“Must be so difficult having two incredibly amazing older sisters.” Euryale nagged Medusa chuckled and left the room to go dress herself in her farytail dress. By the time she was done Her sisters looked like they'd been ready for hours and were groaning that she wasn’t hurrying. Her mother came down shortly after looking glamorous as ever and insisted they take a family photo before they were overwhelmed by other people. As her mother rused into the nearby room her sister’s glanced at eachother and gave a mischievous giggle.“What, what is it you two?” Medusa was scardly intrigued“Oh it’s nothing,” Stheno wiped a tear of joy from her golden eyes, “Mother just recently discovered selfie sticks and now all she wants to do is take pictures with it.“Is that bad?” Medusa questioned“Well,” Euryale began, “See for yourself–” She pointed in the direction of the room their mother disappeared into.Stepping out with a skip her mom held up the most hideous stick she’d ever seen. I was bedazzled in crusty rainbow gems, as if that wan’t bad enough their were various patterned ribbons braided and strung around it. The end of the selfie stick had the largest neon green tassel she’d ever seen. Medusa almost let out a yelp of disgust at the horror her mother beheld.Glancing back at her sisters with her brows raised as to say ‘really?’ Stheno replied with an ‘I told you it was this bad’ kind of look. Her mom galloped over towards her and snatched her and her sisters by their arms. Squeezing them together a little to close for comfort. She raised the horiffic stick of rainbows in the air and yelled “EVERYONE SAY SOLSTICE”“Solstice,” they replied in a monotone voice, smiling halfheartedlyHer mother clapped thrice and then beckoned everyone out the door. Insisting they must be at least 15 minutes early, because impressions on people were everything. Stheno and Medusa groaned as they were forced into the back of the limo and Euryale was seated beside their mother. As the vehicle began its onward motion to wherever the gala was being hosted delight caught Medusas eye.On the side of the car was a large compartment of refreshments and delights that they could choose from. Stheno and Medusa exchanged looks as their mouths began to drool. “Ooohh come to mama.” Stheno pounced towards a large bottle of sparkling wine and a vase of chocolate nektar truffles. Before her claws made contact her hand was slapped out of the way by another. She retreated cradling her hand in pain. Her mother had a smug look on her face that silently told them that they were not to touch. Euryale made a nagging little face that made Medusa’s blood boil.“Mum you chipped my nail! Those took hours to get done and those nymphs charged me extra drachma because of the glitter.” Stheno argued, her mother unamused“Well then you shouldn’t snitch because you’ll get it on your gown.” 	Stheno’s eye twitched “You mean the gown I paid for?”	Her mother scrunched her face in disgust “I only paid for Gorgo’s because she’s been down in the dreadful mortal world with their rash pits of fashion. So I gave her a treat, give her something to remind her of the lovely life up here on olympus.”	“Really?” Stheno retorted sarcastically “Because thats not what you told me yesterday.”At this remark their mothers face resembled a ghost, and her eyes grew wide. She had a secret that she hadn’t told Medusa yet and she was intrigued and really scared. There was something that her mother wasn’t communicating to her. Was it her opinion on something that she did in the mortal world. If it was Medusa would apologize, she didn’t know all the things that were in that emo store in the mall. She’d promise her mom that she would never go back in there again.	“So…Mother. Go on tell her what you told me.” Stheno interrupted Medusa’s fit of panic	“Well Gorgo.” Her mother started	“Its Medusa.” she muttered 	“Whatever, I just wanted to tell you I love you and don’t think of you any differently. Regardless of what Stheno says.” She shot her eyes back at her sister “I just told your sister that you needed a… push of help because you’re mortal and aren’t indestructible like your sisters.” 	“You WHAT?” Medusa clenched her fists, flabbergasted 	Euryale who’d remained oddly silent this entire time began to motion that they were here. Their mother yelled that no one was leaving until Stheno apologized. Taken back, Stheno flared her nostrils and shoved a rather unkind finger in her mothers face. Without hesitation snatched the desired goodies from the compartment and left the vehicle. Medusa didn’t know how to feel. She just discovered that her mother thought she needed ‘help’ and she thought less of her because she was mortal. She knew there was some hidden reason for her being so unusually bittersweet towards her. She never would’ve imagined that this would be the reason. Ontop of that Stheno was sad and is probably somewhere crying and eating the food she snagged. 	Medusa couldn’t decide if she wanted to cry or punch someone in the face. She was leaning towards the second but restrained herself. Medusa took several breaths in and out to calm her slowly rising temper and death glared her mother in the face.	“How dare you,” she muttered “not that you think less of me just because I wasn’t gifted with immortality. But because you damaged you own daughters spirits over stupid delicacies and forced her to keep a secret that burdened her to hold.”	In a swift huff Medusa exited the vehicle and glided towards the welcoming entrance of the gala. She didn’t care how her mother felt and she surly hoped that Euryale wouldn’t be a suck up and realize their mothers true intentions. 	Her heels clacked on the pebble ground as she arrived towards the check-in. There was a satyr clothed in a very fine silk blazer that had flower collar pins. They welcomed her and asked for her name. Once she gave it they frantically searched through the papers on their clip board. The poor satyr kept apologizing for the ‘inconvience’. They were probably traumatized by all the other gods that are massivly impatient and were nervous.“S-so-sorry m-m-miss.” They stuttered “I can’t f-f-find yo-your n-name.” Medusa rolled her eyes, swearing under her breath at her mother, because she still refused to ca her by her other name.“Oh then try the name Gorgo.” she sighed It took the satyr four seconds until she found her other name and hastily beckoned her into the party where she was gifted a ceremonial bracelet. It appeared to be entertwined with rose gold and silver and had a shining lightning bolt charm. Definitely from the courtesy of Zeus himself.It didn’t take long for her to be overwhelmed by servants and butlers offering her food and champagne. Then there were the guests, which mostly consisted of gods godesses and a select few of the children. The first dreaded soul to reintroduce themselves was none other than the lovely Demeter. PART 4: THE GALADemeter was as blooming as ever dressed in a long lavender gown that had a flowing tail behind it. It was sprinkled with glitter and gems. Her hair was pinned up  in a curly bun with catclaw vines and daisies accessorizing it. She has simple but powerful makeup on that made her look sweet but could still kill you. “Gorgo darling.” Se squeeled “So lovely to see you. You look absloutely ravishing in that dress. Every time I see you I just want to cut all that hair off and make it mine.” She gave a very forceful laugh and went for a squashing embrace.Medusa backed away in embarrassment and commented “Oh, it’s actually Medusa now. I’ve taken a liking to that name, since i’ve been in the human realm.”“Oh really. Well then I guess I must inform Persephone because she’d beed dying to see someone that’s not the grain nymphs.”Before she attempted to hug Medusa a second time her brain was already racing for an excuse “Oh um… Look its Hermes better go say ‘hi’ havent seen him in the longest time.”“Oh well then, Caio” Demeter twittled her fingers and wandered off to harass the satyrs Medusa speed over to the direction Hermes was in and tapped him vigorously on the shoulder. Turning around in a flurry he spat an annoyed ‘what’. Realizing who it was he retracted and immediately apologized. She then told him to look pretend they’d been talking for a while because she’d just spotted her mother. Confused, Hermes followed her command and started doing what he did best .He rambled on and on until Euryale and her mother grazed in their direction.“And that’s why I chose track pants to wear over my blazer and not dress pants.” Hermes hesitated. “Oh hey Mrs. C”Mildly disgusted at his very nonchalant welcome  she extended her bony hand and replied. Then she gave Medusa a warning look which she immediately deflected and wandered away. Medusa released a breath she didn’t realize she was holding and thanked Hermes for his help. Then another person caught the attention of Medusa and she politely excused herself from Hermes.“See ya Dusa.” He winked then clicked his heels summoning the winged Jordans.She weaved her way through different people until she reached the person she set eyes with. Years ago she’d vowed her life to this goddess and pledged that she would learn from her and follow in her footsteps as her priestess. The oath that she swore made her keep many things including her virginity and she’d done so and intended to. However when she was sent to the mortal relm she lost contact with her mentor, but the pact between them still remained. As difficult as some convinced her it would be, she was never really attracted to any of the men in the mortal realm. They never made her feel the way others told her they would. Eventhough so many mortal men tried to deciever her into sleeping with them she was never phazed. Like any good student of Athena she was taught to see right through the tricks than men created. She continued to live a normal life, studying and taking in the beauty of the world below her. She she emerged behind Athena, who was dressed in a dazzling platinum suit and attacked her from behind in a warm hug. This backfired almost immediately. The thought that Athena was the goddess of war and stragety briefly slipped Medusa’s mind.  She’d forgotten about her impeccable reflexes, and her advance immediately backfired.She grabbed Medusa’s hands and in less than a second she a flung though the air and plummeted towards the ground. Mid-way flying Athena noticed who it was she just judo flipped. But it was too late. Medusa hit the ground hard and all the air in her lungs escaped. Her stomach felt like it was heaving in on itself and her head began to spin. Athena who’s brows were furrowed, looked concerned for Medusa.There was a sudden ringing in her ears a high monotone note that she couldn’t shake. She glimpsed back at Athena who was calling a name over and over. Medusa couldn’t make out the words from her lips. She felt really tired in a sudden wave, contemplating to herself she thought she should sleep. She closed her eyes and was enveloped into blackness.It was a short amount of time before she was reawakened on a bench to the side of the party. Surrounded buy more people than she’d expected. There was her mother and both her sisters, aside them was Athena. Then a strikingly familiar man had his hand in her head and was muttering lowly to himself. He was glowing, literally. A golden halo ring circed his head and rotated around his golden curled head. Suited in a white tuxedo there was an alarming smear of what looked lik blood down the collar. His kind blue eyes and freckled face smiled warmly back at her. He released his grip on her head and sat back with a sigh.“Did you fix her wound, is she going to be alright Apollo?” Her mother tensed He waved her off. “Of course she will just give her a second will you Ceto.”Medusa made her way up to a sitting position and softly muttered ‘what happened?Immediately there was a swarm of explanations from every mouth and this triggered her throbbing headache. She loudly sushed them all and asked Athena her burning question.“Its my fault” she said gloomily “My stupid instincts kicked in and I immediately flipped you over.“Yeah, I remember that part.” “Sorry,” She apologized, “I just underestimated my strength and you hit your head pretty hard; but thankfully Apollo was near so he came and healed your concussion.”“Thanks for that.” She glanced at Apollo“Any time.” he beamedAlmost as if it was an instinct, Medusa stood up and kneeled before Athena reciting the vow of the priestessAthena my goddess I vow to theeAll of the things I hold dear to meMy heart and my soul; even my virginityI will grow in knowledge from thine’s beautiful mindRecord your pain and sorrow for all of timeI pledge my heart May you use it to how you see fit Take the match of your kindnessAnd with it be litI pledge you my soulMay it travel alongside thee when I arn’t thereAnd know you’ll protect me Your power is fair I pledge my virginityThat no man stealNo matter how much thy tempt me Comittment, be realAll these things I give to thee Everything dear to me And you return to I I serve thee forever until the end of timeThe curse that ties to this bondDeeper than any scar Defy any of these vows; a single one The other shall banish thee, way far.Medusa rose to her feet to see Athena with tears in her eyes and the look of  proud mother on her face. She smiled back and her and hoped for some praise for remembering her oath for so long.“Aww my little viper you remembered.” She smiled knuckling Medusa’s head	They walked towards the heart of the party Athena reintroudcing Medusa to all of the other gods and some of her closest friends. She talked to Iris and Hephastus. Then was deliberately ignored by Aphrodite who was busy flirting with a very muscular centaur. Then the two of them wandered off towards the satyr that carried a platter of horderves and another that held sparkling cider. They were then rudely interrupted by Aries who started picking on Athena’s pupil. If anything Athena was not the kind of person that you wanted to get on the bad side of she gave a tremendous blow to the back of Aries head and he knew he’d been warned to lay off.	There was a light gonging of a bell in the far distance signaling the start of something that Medusa was unaware of. Seconds after the distant alarm Zeus, the overexaggerated and overhyped king of the Gods, stepped up to the podium and tapped a silver spoon on his glass. The plaza grew quiet and the background chatter silenced as Zeus arose on the platform, beginning his speech.“Brothers,” gestured towards Posideon and what would’ve been Hades “My sons and daughters, and other esteemed family and guests . I must thank you all for attending this once in a millennium gala for the Winter Solstice. What makes this party so unique is that around one in the morning when the moon appears it will appear not white; but blue. That’s correct my friends, we are having ourselves a Blue Moon Solstice. So please help yourself to food refreshments for they’ll never run out. Sing and dance, their will be dancing.” He laughed “And don’t hesitate to explore some of the many temples we have deticated to our beloved Gods and Godesses. Including one of our newest editions the Temple of Athena.” Zeus gestured towards her and Athena and smiled and sending the entire crowd into a roar of applause.Athena’s cheeks grew visibly red yet she pretended to not notice and stood tall. Zeus thanked all the people once more for attending his gala and the party resumed. Medusa and Athena grew tired within seconds, and the stumbled back towards the bench to take a breath and relax.“Jeez I hate these shoes,” Athena laughed and threw her silver heels in the grass. She unbuttoned her blazer, revealing no visible shirt underneath. She sighed in relief. Medusa blushed and tried not to stare, but gods was Athena stacked! She followed her footsteps  and also removed her heels as well. The pain in her ankles soothened and she began to have blood circulation in her toes.“Who even invented heels?” Medusa complained“Hepestus”“Wait, REALLY?” Medusa replied in shock“Yep, it was one of his many ploys to get Hera for throwing him off Mount Olympus and giving him permanent internal damage. Although this one backfired because she actually liked them.”“Oh?”“She decided to give the idea ti humans, allowing them to make them. But didn’t even think that they’d become such a torture device.”Medusa snorted her little laugh at the karma that it brought on Hephestus. Which sent Athena into a rage of laughter at the soung of Medusas laugh. They sat giggling for a while before they were abruptly stopped. “Alrightey my gods and godesses, satyrs, and centaurs.” A voice boomed with the flash of stagelights, “ You know was’up. Its time for the dance portion of tonight’s hype. So get with your partner or significant other and lets blow this place up. ARE YOU READY???!!!”  Their was a blaring response of cheers and people scrambled onto the dance floor. Medusa and Athena glanced at eachother like two kindergardeners hearing their favorite song. “You wanna go.” Athena questioned. Without hesitation Medusa grabbed Athena hand and they ran barefoot towards the crowd. The lights were so loud they gave Medusa a headache. She didn’t care, she was having the time of her life with some of her favorite people in the whole world. She ran into Stheno who had clearly had one to many of the free champagnes. Her dress was mysteriously torn at the thigh and there were some questionable marks on her neck. Stheno linked her arm into Medusa’s and swung her at in circles at an uncomfortable pace that temporarily made her headache worse. As the world around her was spinning she grasped the arm of what she thought was Athena, straining for support. “Woah there,” a voice lowedImmediately Medusa jumped back in surprise, thinking to herself that that definitely wasn’t Athena. She glanced up to see who the stranger she clung onto was. A tall and very defined man who was clothed in a nice ocean blue tuxedo. His sandy blonde hair was falling in his face and his beard was scraggly and untamed. But his eyes had an unsettling storm inside them that she didn’t like. “Oh, i’m sorry. I thought you were Athena.”“So your comparing me to Athena now, little viper.”“Little viper?” Medusa muttered under her breath. Only one person was allowed to call her that and that was Athena. So whoever this sandy wannabe was could back off.Medusa glared the middleaged beachboy in the irises and spoke over the noise of the crowd “You do NOT get to call me that.” The man shrugged and went for Medusa’s hand. She couldn’t escape the grasp of this man no matter how much she struggled to. He laid a light kiss on the back of her hand and had a devious grin on his face. Immediately, after he arose she was shocked by the grasp of two feminine hands from be hind her. She was drawn back into the breasts of who she realized was Athena; who still had a half unbuttoned blouse. Athena had a sneer on her face as she gazed at the man. She held her arm around Medusa like a protective mother whispering into her ear that she was sorry she left. Releasing her doubtfully she treaded over towards the stranger until she was nose to nose with him.“Listen Posidon whatever weird thing you have with my priestess can stop. She doesn’t need you harassing her at her reunion with her friends and family. So stay away from her, she’s young and she has a full night ahead of her that won’t be stifled by your traveling eyes.” She pushed him out of the crowd of dancing people, dragging Medusa along.“Yeah,” Athena whispered softly, “Don’t think I didn’t see you making goo-goo eyes at her.”He stammered and then hushed, as Medusa realized that Athena wasn’t wrong. He shot his eyes behind Athena’s shoulder locking eyes with Medusa. He seemed as if he was crying out for help, from beneath a blanket of shame. Medusa sympathized with him and knew how he felt. Athena was very intimidating at times and it seemed as if you’ll never escape, so she knew how it was. She laid her hand on Athena’s padded shoulder and reassured her that it was ok. Medusa was sure that he meant no harm and was just being polite. Besides Posidon was the one that gifted her those flowers earlier today and she was thankful. She never got to thank him because she’d forgotten what he’d looked like. Athena sighed and released the grip Medusa didn’t realize she’d had on him. Poseidon caught his breath and gave Medusa a very thankful look. Athena swept Medusa away and brought her over to where the concessions table was. Pouring a cup of questionable looking punch she began to rant.“Look Posidon is very deceptive he can say one thing and then go an do the complete  opposite. So be careful. If he comes up to you just say you have to go to the bathroom or something. Everytime he’s alone with a young maiden something... happens. Most people overlook this because of his relationship with Zeus, they think he’ll tattle to him and have them banished or something. Truth is only Titans or Gods bound under a pact or oath can be banished from Olympus. So, none of that is actually true. Evenstill, be on your guard little viper.”Medusa let out a grunt of agreement and grabbed a chocolate frosted cupcake to ease her craving for sugar. The distant gong rang again signaling  that it was three hours till midnight. Medusa danced and sang for what felt like forever. The nostalgic songs resonating in her mind after they were over. “Yo yo yo, ma peoples, lets get real. Just for a moment.” The DJ rapped, “Yall know what time it is, grab that partner its time for the slow dance.”Athena was immediately asked to dance by a young woman Medusa realized was Hestia. Athena apologized as she was swept away into a graceful waltz. She was abandoned there, standing there awkwardly clutching her arm. She spotted Hermes trying to course one of her sisters into dancing with him. Which they clearly weren’t into him. She let out a silent chuckle at Hermes’ stupidity and walked away from the food table.Heading towards the bench, her path was blocked by a familiar bulky figure. Poseidon towered over Medusa’s slender figure and extended his hand. She was shocked at his offer for a dance, and was advancing to decline until he spoke. “Please,” He pleaded, “At least hear me out.” Medusa sighed and urged him to continue. “I know Athena said something about me and I don’t know what it was. But I wanted to thank you for having my back there, so please, at least let me repay you with a dance.” His eyebrow furrowed, she thought to herself, he really did seem sincere.She contemplated on his offer until she finally gave in. She nodded and accepted his hand for a dance. The moment she agreed he swept her off her feet and onto the marble cracked dance floor. She didn’t have feelings for Posidon but she was enchanted by his movements, the way he gracefully swayed and led her with his hands. He hept his eyes on her alone regardless of any distraction around him. The awkward tension between the two of them only heightened his stare at her. Between twirls he slowly brought her waist closer to his. She tried her best to push away and not bother him, but his size overpowered hers.The song reached its lowpoint and he drew his face into her neck. He muttered something and she felt a light impact on her skin. Her mind shot, immediately knowing what Posidon just did.“No,” She shoved his hands away from her waist and stepped back. “I should’ve listened to Athena.” swirling he body around away from him she sought out Athena.When Athena caught sight of Medusa she immediately knew what happened. Medusa sniffled as Athena apoligized to her dane partner and rushed her way. The moment she embraced her teacher Medusa broke. Tears streamed down her flawless cheeks making her dress damp. Athena tenderly shushed her and layed her head on her shoulder she commenced her to cry until she couldn’t anymore. Medusa cried for a list of reasons. Why people only liked her for her features. Her hair, face, legs, other parts of her. How he mother was mistreating her sisters. How she thought less of her because she was mortal. How she missed the human world her true home. How all she really wanted was a person that would love her not for her looks but for her personality and for the love she had to offer. She cried because she knew as long as she was partnerless everyman would view her as a vessel for her body and for them to use. Just like Posidon was about to do. She explained all of these reasons to Athena, who was now lobster red and looked like she needed to punch something. Medusa dried her face and prayed to Zeus that she didn’t screw up her makeup. Athena however was staring down Posidon who was standing off to the side on the dance floor.“That deceitful, manipulative little..” Athena hesitated thinking of a word to describe him with. “ASSHOLE”She covered her mouth with her hand as if she’d said the most harmful insult invented. All Medusa did was nod in agreement. The song that had been playing ended and the blaring voice of the DJ blew everyones ears out.“All right, al right my party gods you know what time it is. Alright now gather ‘round. In exactaly two hours we about to witness the solstice of a malennia” The crowd reerupted with noise an cheers.Medusa gave a light clap towards the DJ’s energy. Then she saw Athena reach for something from her blazer pocket. A small green box what was ties with a glittery gold ribbon was gifted to her.“I was going to give this to you after the party..” Athena paused “but I think you could use some time to yourself.” Medusa received the package from her an untied the ribbon. The package revealed a book. Medusa let out a laugh of relief as she held up the book examining its iridescent cover. The book was The Clouds by Aristophanes. One of her favorite authors and Athena knew that from her consistent rambling of his perfect plots and story consistency. She let out a squeak of excitement and held the novel close to her chest. She’d had an interesting night and reassurance with her favorite book was just the thing that she needed.“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Medusa squeezed Athena tight. She laughed “Any time my little viper. You look like you need some time to yourself, I know your not the social kind so how about this.” Athena drew her in close and proposed a plan to her.Medusa liked her thinking and agreed to her plan. Gathering her things she waved goodbye to Athena for the time being “See you in a few hours.” Athena shouted from behind her.The plan that the two of them agree apon was that Medua would relax in the protection of her temple. It was lit with torchlight so she could still read. Then thirty minutes before midnight Athena would meet her and they would watch the peak of the moon together. Medusa trailed  along the winding path sprinkled with flowers. Their were poppies, daisies, and the occasional hyacinth. She found their beauty mesmorizing and stopped to choose a small petite one. Reaching the engraved marble steps of her temple she took a second to inhale its beauty. The pillars that were the bones of the temple towered tens of feet above her. They were carved with stories of her entire life within them. Her birth, all of her accomplishments, and her victories over past wars. Her outstanding war stragety caused her to help humans in winning their wars. Even if she was forced to disguise herself as a man to get her point across she turned the tides for many countries. Ascending the steps she wandered into the center of the temple admiring the walls lined golden tapestries; engraved with owls. She sat in the middle of the parthenon on a plaque that was going to be a 70 foot statue of her amazing self. Criss-crossing her legs she pulled the book and the poppy that she picked and began to read.The words of entraped her and she was embedded in the story. She wanted to stay here forever. In the silence. In this peace. With no one to bother her. With a story she could read for an eternity. Her eyes were getting droopy and her strength to stay awake was weakening. She wanted to sleep. She was going to sleep. Until, she was interrupted. Once again by a reocurring Posidon.  PART 5: BROKENMedusa stood up and slid the book behind her with her foot. She was skeptical on how he knew she was up here alone. As he stood there in the light of the moon his stormy eyes glew with an evil aura. “What do you want, I don’t want you here.”“I undestang but you wandered off and you know that not polite to abandon a gala like that.” He tried to argue with her but she was done with his pestering “I don’t care if its polite, I need time to myself. And I asked you to leave.Poseidon ignored her request and pranced over towards her. His polished shoes clicking on the white and gold marble. He continued until he was peering own over her their noses almost touching. All he did was eye her like she was a treat he wanted to consume. His eyes scanned her as if retaining every different inch of her body. She was starting to panic at the amount of time he was staring over her. She tried to step back but her grasped her by the arm. It hurt. She could feel his nubbed nails digging into her fair skin. “That hurts let go.” Worry flooded Medusa’s voice “Oh, it does, I can be more gentle.” his voice lowed as he advanced on her.Medusa was freaking out she never anticipated something like this was going to happen tonight. She knew that a lot of people found her attractive but she’s always managed to escape situations like this with mortals. But this time she was trapped, his hold on her was implanting on her skin. 	She continued to struggle and to step backwards to put space between the two of them. She wasn’t aware of how close she was to the steps of the plaque, and her ankle caught the edge of the step. She felt a loud pop in her foot and let out a cry of pain as she hurled towards the floor. Poseidon who still was firmly attached to her lost his balance as well and fell ontop of her. He het out a moan as he stopped himself before crushing her . 	She could feel the pain coursing through her leg and knew that she’d broken her ankle. This was a problem. Escaping would be twice as difficult and she was already having a panic attack. Posidon was atop of her and there was no legroom to be able to kick him in the gut. 	As she lie there unintentionally sprawled upon the marble Posiedon used his knee to trap her unharmed leg. With his hands he placed one back on her wrist and the other cupped her cheek. She wriggled in the hold he had on her. She was crying out for help and sobbing to any god to save her from this nightmare. 	For a split moment she met eyes with her perpetrator and saw the hunger in his eys. This entire time all he wanted from her was her beauty and nothing more. Those poppies were a lie and his kindness was an act. She’d actually thought that a man saw her for something other than her beauty. She actually gave thin the benefit of the doubt and maybe just a little bit, cared for him. She shouldn’ve listened to Athena, the goddess of literal wisdom, but she was stupid and blinded by the kindness she so dearly sought, 	As Posiedon advanced for her lips she grasped her book with the tips of her fingers and bashed him over the head with it. The affect was less than she’d hoped, this just made him more eager. Seconds passed of him looking perplexed as she finnicked for her escape. Her thought was broken by a gruesom slap across the face and a mutter of “you little brat.”	Her face prickled with the sensation of the impact and was stifled by the force of his mouth on hers. She tried to resist but her pain was too severe, she was numb from her knees down. She whimpered, tears running own her face as he slipped his tongue between her teeth.  He kissed her passionately, and she wanted in the world was for this to stop. She’d give anything, do anything, to cease her tears. Poseidon entwined his fingers in hers pressing their hands together on the floor. He laid his body closer on hers his bodyheat burning her stomach. 	He’d moved on from her mouth and to her cheeks, then ears, and neck. He stared intently at her chest as if contemplating on what to do next. Before she could catch up to what he was thinking the force her had on her wrist tightened then snap. 	Medusa’s cry in pain echoed throughout the temple and resonated back like a gong. Her wrist was pulsing like a heartbeat as she strained to lift it. She couldn’t, she remained paralyzed upon the floor. Her head began to spin and she felt like she was going to hurl. Her face grew white and her ears began ringing in a high pitched monotone. Her eyelids drooped, she felt really tired  all of the sudden. Through teary eyes she thought to herself, if she slept through this it’d be over. She relaxed. Medusa closed her eyes, but was stifled by a devious chuckle from Posiedon. She inhaled an exhaled sharply as she felt him untying the strings of her dress. She kept her eyes sealed shut because she couldn’t bare to see the look of enjoyment that he held scarred upon his face. As he slipped her beautiful greed dress down her body, he scrunched it up at her knees. The cold air of the night stung her exposed body and made bumps along her arms. At this point Medusa was panting in her pain and in the cold she felt. She took an unintentional glance at Poseidon effortlessly undressing himself. Her heartbeat began to increase, her breathing pace quickened. She knew what was coming and what was going to happen. She was scared. She’d never done this before and never intended to. Yet, here she was at a sizeable disadvantage that was triggering panic, sweat, and tears. She pleaded one last time, as if she thought it would convince him to stop.“Please, i’ll do anything just stop. I beg you.” Crystal tears rained down her somber face.Posiedon grasped his hands around her face and brought it up to his. She saw into his soul; his twisted intentions preaching back to her. His breath on her face, the heavy stench of whiskey and tobacco made her nose flair. He spoke in a low raspy voice into her ear.“You have such beautiful eyes, little viper.” Before she could respond he bit her lip. He continued to make his way down to her neck.  Kissing and nipping at her skin, forcing her to give in. Medusa let out a moan of pain as he shifted his ‘affection’ down towards her chest. He felt her and grabbed her in places no one would ever be allowed to. Choked her with his hand until she was blue. He used her, kissing her all over. Running his hands through her hair, while he whispered words she couldn’t understand. He run his tongue along her collarbone and onto her neck. Placing his hand on her hips which were way too low for comfort.The longer into the night her torture continued the more she longed for Athena. Posiedon had removed her underwear to reveal everything underneath. Now she was truly naked. Nothing was stoping him as he removed his as well. They were both there lying together body against body; their heat warming them from the freezing night. Medusa refuced to look at him at all. She kept her eyes up at the owl engraved banners prying that this would be over, while Posiedon enjoyed his feast. Swiftly. Forcefully. He directioned her face onto his and mumbled. “I want you to feel this.” He thrustedPain soared through her body, more than she’d ever experienced before. The sinful pleasure she felt made tears resurface. She knew it was happening , the forbidden that she swore to Athena she’d never do. Their bare bodies pressed against eachother, skin on skin, mouth on mouth. Poseidon manuvered around her noisily enjoying himself, and she could only lie there. Just as she was about to give in she felt something warm drip from Posiedon’s mouth to hers. She panicked thinking it was saliva or another disgusting substance, but as it drained into her throat it changed. The metallic taste of blood flowed on her tongue, as she spat the foul tase out.“Pelech.” Medusa spat. She glanced up to see Poseidon’s eyes wide and vibrating.His grip on her loosened as his weight crushed hers. She used her unharmed arm to shift his naked mass off of hers. Perplexed at what just happened she looked up to see a silver arrow puncturing out of her harasser’s back. She shook in fear, certain that she was next. Poseidon was trembling in a pool of his golden blood struggling to sit up. He glanced behind him to see who shot him and growled at the sight of them. Medusa looked up as well, and beheld the most beautiful of sights. Never dreaming she’d be happy enough to see Artemis, goddess of the Hunt. “Get the Hell away from her you foul maggot.” She shot another gleaming arrow from her bow. It hit him square in the shoulder. She knocked another arrow in, drawing the bowstring. “Move away Posiedon or it’s your heart that’s next.”Appearing behind her savior was her mentour and best friend. She sobbed at the sight of her, tears of joy and regret. Athena’s brow furrowed and her eyes began to water for one of the first times. She rushed over and embraced the broken Medusa. As she sobbed and apologized, Athena squeezed her tight and reassured her that it wasn’t her fault. “I’m sorry, its all my fault.” Medusa sniffed between cries, “I should’ve listened to you when you said not to trust him. I tries. I-i realy tried, but he broke my wrist and ankle and numbed my limbs from pain. I tried to fight back but it just encouraged him further. Her stripped me and then he- he—” She didn’t finish because she was choking on her tears. “HEY.” Athena gripped her shoulders and glared her stormy eyes into her emerald ones. “It’s NOT your fault. That sick son of a bitch should’ve kept it to himself and respected you.”“Medusa gazed into her eyes and mumbled “Athena, what about the oath.”Athena’s eyes grew wide and the color from her face faded. They both new what was going to happen, the oath that the two of them had proclaimed; and their was no stopping it. A blood pact between two people was inseperable by nature, and any minute now the banishment would occur. Artemis ran to Athena’s side just as worried as she was and asked what was wrong. Athena and Artemis exchanged a mutual look of worry to each other. Artemis covered her mouth in simultaneous shock and understanding. She must’ve known too.“Artie.” Athena broke the gaze between the two of them. “Please help clothe her, and be careful of her ankle and wrist.”Artemis nodded and gazed upon her with a sympathetic smile. She told her to relax as she picked her up effortlessly. For a short goddess she was remarkably strong, and incredibly gentle. She dressed Medusa with care and soothed her rapid heart. Guiding her into back into her dress so that she was no longer barren for the world to see. But every so often Medusa would direct her gaze to the wounded Posiedon laying unconscious upon the floor. Every time Artemis would direct that gaze back to her. Medusa could see the moon rising in the distance, she knew what was going to happen, for it had already begun. In a matter of minutes she would be banished from this place and sent to die alone at the edges of the earth. The blue hues of the moon reflected onto her skin as it began to prickle. Her body grew hot and her heart was racing like a horse.“Artemis let me go, please. I-i don’t want you to get hurt when it  happens.” Artemis respected Medusa’s wishes and backed up; she then hid herself behind one of the hanging banners. Athena had her back to Medusa and was clutching her right arm. She assumed that she also felt the prickling sensation and was trying to hold it down. Using every last ounce of her strednth Medusa stumbled onto her foot dragging herself towards Athena. “Medusa stop, you’ll hurt yourself.” Artemis shouted a warning At this Athena spun around to reveal her transforming face. Her pupils were dilated but instead of healthy pools of black they were glowing golden orbs. The veins in her face and neck were glowing, The ichor in her body was reacting to the breaking of the oath. Soon this would happen to Medusa as well, her mortal blood would glow and burn the inside of her; punishment for her actions. Once Athena was drawn head to foot in her glowing veins she would loose all control of her body and the banishment would begin. Same would occur to Medusa as her body would be automatically submissive to receiving Athena’s punishment. Medusa wrapped her arm around Athena’s shoulder as the two of them attempted to fight the curse for as long as their bodies would let them. They reassured eachother that everything would be fine and tries to enjoy the last moments of their lives together in peace. But the sorrow of reality washed overthem in a bitter wave that niether of them could overcome. This was their final night together, under the rays of the Blue Solstice moon . They laughed and cried as the burning ‘infection’ continued to spread.“Remember when we attended Hercules’ birthday,” Athena heaved gripping Medusa’s shoulder, “And Narcissus saw himself in he reflection of the punchbowl.”Medusa laughed recalling the moment, “Then Hermes ran into him, and dunked his head into the bowl. Spilling red punch all over his ivory tux.”They both laughed, painfully. Medusa began to cry as the burning bloodf burst into her legs. She collapsed. Athena let out a somber yelp as she caught Medusa in her bleeding arms. Medusa couldn’t speak she agony she felt prevented her from it. She looked once more into her golden eyes know this would be the last time she ever see them.“Look my little viper,” the worry in her voice puncture Medusa’s beating heart, “Please let me do something before I’m overtaken. Because it’s all my fault for letting you go off on your own. And I will NEVER forgive myself if anything like this happens to you again. Just know that someday that person, who love you for you and not your beauty, they’ll come along and love you in ways I never could. So please forgive me, and know that—” She paused realizing she was out of time. Their feet were lined in glowing veins, blood dripped from their eyes and mouth. They were too late, it was happening. Athena used her last breath to whisper something Medusa couldn’t hear. She then extended her delicate hand and struck her square in the forehead. Athena smiled. A smile that was out of love and regret, on that Medusa knew she would remember because it smashed her soul into dust as she made out Athena’s final words to her.“I love you Medusa.” A golden tear fell from her face.Athena arose, levitating in midair. She was unaware of her movements; she had no control. Medusa, however, was forced to watch as punishment. Forced to behold the only person to care for her like no one else did. Better then her mother or any of her sisters did, or any mortal or god alike. She watched as the wind of a million storms spiraled around them, encagin the two of them together. As Medusa was brought to her knees ready to receive her sentence she noticed one final thing. Athena was trembling.As the blow of exile released from Athena’s hand, the ground opened up. A well of eternal blackness began to engulf her. As she began to fall, the wind blew a single tear onto Medusa’s cheek. A parting gift from her friend, whom she’d never see again.PART 6: BANISHMENT Pain. All she could make out was the aching of her entire bodice. She could see the sky, make out puffs of scattered cumulonimbus clouds. She lie in a field, of sorts, the vegetation around her swayed in the gentle breeze. She couldn’t get up, nor did she want to. There was no point. Medusa knew in the back of her mind that this is where she would spend her eternity. So why take the time to get up now, when she had forever. It was at that point when she identified a faint hissing sound. It souded like snakes. She didn’t flinch. She thought to herself ‘let them come and eat me. I’m as good as dead anyway’. She waited, and waited; but no predators came to consume her. She sighed. Thinking they were too scared to eat her because of her size, she was bigger then them. Something peculiar happened once she sighed, that hissing reappeared, and she felt a hard slimy mass slither across her forehead. Her blood went cold as she met face to face with a a giant jet black snake. This freaked her out. She didn’t actually want to die she was just pretending, of course she wanted to live longer she was just joking after all. Finding the strength to move she screamed in terror trying to swipe the snake off her face. She yelped smacking the head of the reptile shouting “ get off, get off” as loud as she could. Medusa opened her eyes she didn’t realize were closed, and found two more gazing her in the eyes. They didn’t attack her. All they did was hang from the top of her head curious as to what they were coiled upon. As her heartbeat slowed she tried to lift them off her head.Her heartbeat quickened once more.Her hair it was gone. She couldn’t feel it, she couldn’t see it. Her glorious locks of hair disappeared. There was no more braiding her hair when she was nervous. No more testing new hairstyles that she loved. The one thing she was identified was gone.All that remained were the slick bodies of several large snakes. She felt along the edge of her hair line noticing they punctured from out of her scalp; the origin of where her hair once was . They entwined with eachother and constantly weaved themselves around her head. The snakes hissed and flicked their forked tongues at her, almost in respect. But the fact still remained that she was no longer human. She was a monster created by her most trusted friend, and would live out her life on this wretched island doomed to be headed with the sight of numerous little vipers.Weeks passed, miserable, eventless, and lonely. So far no one inhabited this island, why would they. She was banished; and isolation was one of many things that drives mortals insane. So, naturally, it seemed like a fitting punishment to wind up alone, eventually driving yourself to the brink of extinction. Medusa took the liberty to name each one of the creatures on her head. She seemed to understand them, and they her. Each was slightly different than the others and had their own unique traits and personalities. Truth be told, Medusa always wanted pets. She just didn’t think that getting harassed, cursed, and banished to an uninhabited island was the way to obtain them.From what she counted, there were ten total rascals posing as her hair. Lotus was the smallest and the most timid. It took several attempts of affection before she even allowed Medusa to touch her. Then their was Shoko who was quite the opposite, he was constantly in her face trying to see what she saw. Shoko was like that stray strand of hair you could never fully tame. He was always there to bother her at the most inconvenient of times. Then their was Fange. Although he looked average to all the other vipers, his singular fang he mysteriously lost helped her discern him from the rest. There were two vipers who Medusa was sure had to be twins. They were the only two snakes that had opposing blue eyes. Whenever they slithered upon her head the somehow managed to tangle themselves in eachother. She couldn’t recall how many times she’d heard light gagging from above her as they were choking eachother. These two mischiefs were called Koppig and Khandit.For several days she thought these were the only five that inhabited her head. But soon she noticed that several were hidden in the bodies of others and they acted and felt unusual to the others. One she accidently scratched across the face with her nail. This left a memorable scar so Medusa named her Ouli. Another who was quite the pushover she called Lupa for their kind and compassionate heart. Another had a remarkable spot stretching from its its left eye to its back, this was Grayson. Their was Cucumber who resembled a similar shade of green in the light of the sun. She also had several bumps on her head that were discernible even without sight. Then there Kou, whos hiss sounded less like a hiss and the coo of a newborn child. This cracked Medusa up and she was obligated to name him this. Since she was the only inhibitant she had no need for clothes. So for the majority of the time she would limp around barren and naked. As for her broken limbs they were strangely healed once she awoke on the island. Either Athena healed them, or it was part of the unpredictable oath magic. The island itself was beautiful. If someone would’ve told Medusa that she’d eventually be banished to the ends of the earth she wouldn’t have thought I’d look like this. The island was built of three layered mountains that towered over her into the skies, She woke in the fields of wild hibiscus flowers, which she notices produced sweet sap that she found to be a lovely snack. There were several other trees that harbored tropical fruits that she discovered. The majority of the forest’s vegetations was forests that held palm trees, banana trees, coconut trees, and hundreds she couldn’t identify. She’d occasionally see a dragonfruit or mango tree, but nothing too out of the ordinary. Once the forest ended the beached began. Stretching for what seemed like miles the soft white sand warmed her feet when she ran. Shells abandoned by their previous holders were hidden in the depths of the sand. Medusa found the hobby of uncovering and kepping the most unique shells she’d ever seen. The waters that coasted her prison were cool and clear. They lapped against her ankles as she stood in them. She’d stand in the shallow of the water for hours thinking. . .crying. She never found the crashing of waves to be soothing but on this island they were different. When she found comfort under the shade of a banana tree, there was no better noise than the rhythm of the water. Every new day she awoke on the island she strived to explore a little further into the unknown. Once she’d discovered a quaint little pond that held smooth stones in its waters. Medusa made little traveler’s towers with the rocks to indicate that she’d traveled this way. No matter how far into this island she traveled she still found no inhabitants, no animals, or insects. The only organism she had were the ten vipers that had embedded themselves into her. Medusa often felt recurring loneliness. She had no one to talk to, or to vent to about toubles she had. This was all in the package of isolated banishment, but she was not going to let it get to her. To cope with her sadness she would talk to her snakes. Sure they couldn’t determine what she was saying but she still felt like they understood her pain. Most of the time, when all the other snakes had coiled up together and were asleep she would talk one on one with Shoko. His love for invading her space made him a good source of venting. Medusa would talk to him late into the night about anything she pleased. Sometimes she’d let him rest in her hand or lick her face with his little tongue. She didn’t care for favorites but she did have a special connection with Shoko that she didn’t have with the others. Soon enough she enjoyed the times he occupied her line of sight. They reminded her that she wasn’t truly alone even if she felt that way.“Am I wonder how mom and my sisters are doing,” Medusa proclaimed while biting into a mango. “I mean they weren’t there when it happened so for all I know their either unaware or worried sick. Probable the ladder.” She sighed as she took another bite, the sweet juices dripping off her chin. Shoko hissed into hear ear, his ribbon tongue tickling her. “Shoko stop.” She laughed as she brushed him aside. She still wondered about the reactions of everyone on Olympus about the whole oath fiasco. Knowing enough about the people up there word got around quick. It spread like an unhealthy disease, and soon enough everyone would know about it. Hermes, Stheno, Euryale, and her mother definitely have it out for Posiedon it they ever find out what he did. “ And guarantee that Zeus will side with his brother nd try to hush it all up.” She murmured to herself. “Welp its not like I can do anything about it.” She shrugged off the topic and brought herself to her feet. She held up the half-eaten mango in the air and her snakes immediately eyed it. Medusa had developed a fun game with her snaked on eating. She jammed her fingers into the fruit tearing off a chunk of its flesh and chucking it into the air. She immediately felt a tugging as all ten vipers jolted towards the food. She never knows who wins but she can hear hisses of anger and disgust as they recoil and wait for the next piece. When the fruit is all gone she allows them to lick her fingers dry. This gives some of the snakes who didn’t get a portion to recieve a little of the fun. Medusa still doesn’t know if the snakes feed off her nutrients or require their own. Since their are no mice or bugs on the island all of them are solely vegetarian. She wipes her damp hands on her waist and move forward.Medusa has seen so much of the island and taken in every inch of its beauty. And their is still so much she has yet to discover. She’s developed a keed sense of time and of direction, which help in the navigation of the seemingly endless jungle. One blazing afternoon, she was so hot even the trees didn’t cover her. She had her dress from the gala from distant months ago. By now it was tattered and caked in dirt and leaves. She tried to wash the grime off her dress in a rushing river but that only did so much. Medusa accepted the fact that some clothes were better than being buck naked. Her fair skin began to burn and grow red. She swore“I need to find better shade.”Medusa navigated inward towards the larger of the three mountains. This was was blooming with brush and foliage, but it didn’t have nearly as much vegetation as the other three mountains. She weaver herself through hanging vines and moss that had overgrown from time. Medusa had no set goal, she just hoped one of these hays she’d find someone—or something— that would somehow benefit her in her eternity on this island. She spoted a path up ahead that seemed to be laden in cobblestone. An unusual sight for a supposed abandoned island. She climbed up the coarse terrace trying not to damage her dress any further. Once she reached the path she’d spotted, her snaked started acting up. They’ed never done this before, and it made her awfully curious.“What is it?” she perked up her head so they could see, “What is it you guys smell”	Some of the snakes started tugging on her scalp causing the skin on her face to stretch. She guided her head in the direction of their movements so they sould sniff and forward what they found. Medusa moved along the path, being cautious for any potential harm. Fange hissed aloud telling her their was something aling this path. 	She quickened her pace	Something was near and she was determined to find out what. Eventhough she was watching her back, she wasn’t watching her feet. Right before the path took an unpredicted turn, Medusa wedged her foot between the roots of an overgrown tree. She felt her foot scrape against the bark as she plummeted towards the ground. She lost her balance and her foot’s hold between the bark loosened and she went flying off the side of a cliff	Tumbling down the side of a mountain hurt a lot more than she’d anticipated. She grazed her skin on every loose branch, twig, and thorn there was; barely missing the endpoint of a broken tree. When she reeched the bottom of her fall she lie there in disarray.	“Why do I have a nack for getting hurt in the worst possible ways.” She spoke to herself	She felt around her head to see if any of her snakes had gotten severely injured, None. Thankfully their scales protected them from the majoroty of the fall. Medusa, on the other hand, not so much. Her knees were bashed up, she had a sizeable gash on her forearm from some misplaced branch, and her skin stung from several heated grass burns. Crimson blood ran rivers down her limbs, and she knew she’d hsve to cease it somehow. She groaned lazily as she tried to get up. Using a nearby leaf she patted the abrasions dry until the bled no more.	“You guys alright,” She asled her friends, they hissed in agreement. “And where the heck am I”	“ I don’t remember this part of the island. How far down did I fall.”Medusa examined her new environment, seeing there was less sun then where she was before and more flat terrain. She limped on the soggy forest ground trying to identigy any key land marks. Nothing. She assumed this was the backside of one of the three main mountains which was why this was so unfamiliar.She barely started walking before she detected a quaint little cave at the foot of the mountain. Her spirits raised as she raced over in its direction. Silently thanking the gods she touched the smooth walls of the enterance. Glancing inside what she was thinking about making her home, she realized she was deceived.Where their should’ve been darkness and miles of stalagmites was light. Fire. Made by man and an entire village hidden in the folds of this mountain. The cave opened up into a vast underside that was illuminated by life and the unseen side of a waterfall.  Breathless. She couldn’t even describe her emotions on seeing an entire civilization thats been hidden under her nose for months. Adrenaline surged through her body, making her chest beat in anticipation. She staggered across uneven rocks until she was presented by another flight of questionable stairs. This time the cliff was noticeable and dropped a good thirty feet below her. Insuring not to plumett to her certain death she cautiously made her way down the steps. When she safely arrived at the bottom she was met by a surprising amount of weeds. They covered the path she planned on taking towards the village. She cursed under her breath. She stood pondering for a moment on how she would reach this town. Her dream was at the tips of her fingers and she was being stopped by some petty brush. She decided that she would push through it regardless if it cut her more.She went for it. Squirming her way through grunting at the tangles in her clothes. Her hand got caught on a bramble as it tore her palm. She let out a silent yelp as she cradled her injury.“Just a bit further, comm’on.” She encouraged herself.Emerging from the thicket she felt victorious, as if she’d slayed the mightiest of dragons. Her victory was seldom spent as she saw her dress was in even bigger tatters. Medusa tried to even out the fabric but it did little work.	“Crap, now I’m going to have to—” Her sentence dropped dead as she noticed him.	A man, the first living mammal she’d seen since she plummeted back to earth. His back faced her so she couldn’t see his face, but she made out his character. He looked in his late twenties, with the silkiest black hair she’d ever seen. He had a fitting build with broad shoulders and a slender back. He was shirtless, which made her want to gag, but wore finely weaved trousers that were embroidered with intricate patterns around the cuffs.	She approached this strager with novelty, hoping to see the structure of his face. Stretching her soiled hand, she nudge him on the back. This captured his attention, and he turned. 	She barely got a look at his face, for when their eyes met a dismal reaction occurred. The snakes upon her head fanned out like a peacocks feathers, baring their predatorious fangs. Their eyes shot from a livley green to a vile shade of red, as if triggered by the sight of his eyes. As this stranger gaped at her green irises he froze. His toned body stopped breathing, it grew cold. Where once stood a living breathing human being was now a statue. An intricate piece made of solid stone.PART 7: HEART OF STONE	A panic attack overtook her faster than  blink of an eye. What just happened made her stomach want to turn itself inside out. She felt a stone in her throat that was pushing its way to the surface. She grew nauseous at the sight of the petrified man.She vomited. She looked at her hands which were shaking in confusement and fear. She just turned a person into stone. He wasn’t breathing, he was. . .no. Their was no way that’s true; how could it be. Everythings fine, everthings fine, everthings fine. He mind was splitting in two. Was this real, was all of this actually happening. What if this was a long toxic dream that she refused to wake up from. Yeah. That has to be it, their was no other explanation why she would just look at a person and kill them. 	“It’s all a dream, It’s all a dream,” Medusa groped her arms, “I’ll wake any moment now. I have to. It’s all a dream , it’s all a dream.” 	Anxiety overtook her mind as she began to tremble, and the tears began to fall. She was sent spiraling into a fit of uncomprehension. She clawed at her skin with her untrimmed nails and contemplated the true purpose of her life on the island. When she thought she’d come to a solution her mind would race back to her safe thought. That this was all a nightmare that she would eventually wake up from, even if it killed her. 	“I have to wake up, its all just a dream.” She psychotically whispered to herself 	Medusa was overtook with urges she couldn’t explain. She attempted to claw at the creatures on her head thinking if they all died then she’d get her hair back. She clawed at them like a demonous cat as they vigorously avoided her nails. 	“JUST DIE,” She sobbed aloud, “I WANT MY LIFE BACK PLEASE. ALL IT TAKES IS FOR YOU TO DIE.”	Medusa’s shock made her weak, and it didn’t take long for her to wear herself out. She strived to aim for the heads of the snakes, but she couldn’t see through the tears in her eyes. After straining her muscles past their limit she collapsed in a messon the ground, 	“I’M SORRY.” She apologized repeatedly to her snakes who seemed to understand her dilemma. “I just can’t wrap my head around the fact that I— I just—” She couldn’t bring herself to admit the horrible thing she’d just done.	Just as she was being sent into another uncontrolled spiral her snakes did something that she’d never expected. They made a cage- like shape around her head and all began to hiss. Hisses of  comfort and kindness rather than of warning. She began to relax. Her fists unclenching from their hold, her breathing steadied itself. She listened.	She knew each of her snakes hisses by heart. Every minor pitch and difference, together they made a harmony of sounds only she could comprehend. Before long she’d calmed down and had her head screwed on right. She sighed in relief, then wrapped her hands aroud her head trying the embrace her snakes in what was probably the akwardest hud of all time. They understood and entwined themselves up her wrists and inbetween her fingers. 	Then she heard a snap of a twig in the distance. Her moment ceased. Her snakes retracted in fear. Glancing behind her she cautiously looked at the ground. If she truly had the ability to petrify a person then looked at the ground was the safest play. Turning her body in the direction of this unseen stranger, she muttered a greeting under her breath.	“What are you,” The stranger stated “A demon from the underworld, a hellish reincarnation?”	The voice was of a woman, she couldn’t detect her age from her voice. She pondered the question she asked her. She didn’t know what she was. Could she even classify herself as mortal anymore. With these serpents as her hair she didn’t appear human. Not to her or any other mortal on this island. 	“Answer me demon.” The woman urged her to answer	“I–I don’t know.”	“ How can you not know, are you possessing a human, is one of out people your vessel?”	“What? No” 	“Then look at me. Let me judge for myself.”	“I cant” She mumbled 	The woman slammed a wooden rod on the dirt ground; probably a weapon she held. Demanding her to answer she pleaded again saying she was unable to. The snakes were becoming agitated at her inconvenience and hissing lounder than before. The woman thumped her weapon once more yelling and drawing attention to the situation. 	She knew the woman would resort to violence if she didn’t obey her commands. But she wouldn’t petrify another pure soul; it would send her into a spiral of madness. So, she did the safest action she cound think of. She nocked her head up towards the stranger, but kept her eyes shut tight. She couldn’t see the stranger but could feel her breath against her face. She smelt good, like coconut and honeydew. If this woman wasn’t wielding a weapon she would’ve felt in the presance of a godess. 	“Are you playing dumb with me demon. Look at me dead in the eye I won’t ask again.” She felt a tip of metal poke against her throat. The feeling was painfully familiar.	Medusa knew the consequences for opening her eyes. She whispered an apology under her breath to the stranger before her. They were surprised at her remark, but it was too late. The second the stranger locked eyes with her they were gone. In that split millisecond she had to examine the stranger, she was enveloped in her beauty. 	The stranger’s fair brown skin was the color of meted chocolate. Her hair just as silky and mesmorizing as that man’s. Her nearly identical features made her resemble a princess. Her eyes. A fiery golden color that corresponded with her emerald green eyes. A tear strug down her face, in sadness, that she had to kill sutch a beautiful mortal.	Once her transition was done she gazed upon the pertified angel. She died holding a spear to the throat of a monster. There was no doubt that this woman had a love, a family, and friends. A whole life hidden in this breathtaking cave; and she stifled that with just a gaze into her eyes.	She touched the poor woman’s face, then heard a shout. “Who’s there. Show yourself.”	She couldn’t take this anymore, she’d killed more people in a day than she had in a lifetime. As the voices drew nearer and nearer she yelped a sound of warning. She knew it was impossible for them to listen, so she did what she knew best. Run.	She hastily ran along the cost of a lake that ran throughout the cavern. Just as she had enough distance for an escape she slipped on the moist sand. She collapsed in a heap of sand that stuck to her body like glue. The strangers were approaching faster than she anticipated, and the gears in her mind weren’t turning fast enough. One by one they noticed her, then her face, then her eyes. One by one they all petrified themselves till there was no breathing life on the beach but herself. 	She silenced a scream of hurt. The stone in her throat was expanding with every person that she saw. “Why, why, why,why.” Her voice cracked in pain, “The second I find life on this bloody island, I can’t even look at them. I searched for months to see how alone I really was, and this is my reward.” She screamed. So loud and full of grief Hades could hear it from his throne below. Medusa was finished. She grieved for all the pain she’d felt and caused for others. She knew deep down in her heart that ridding herself from this life would be beneficial for everyone. She could end it there and then. With the disarmed weapons in the sand, slitting her throat was eaier than talking. 	She couldn’t, not yet at least, for their was something more important she had to do. Drying her face from tears she picked herself up and headed towards the stairs. Her bare feet squished in the sand creating landmarks from where she’d been. Her peace was inturrupted by the growling of dogs.	They snuck up at her baring their fangs. They weren’t rabid, but they were definitely aggressive due to the foam that frothed off their mouths. These big black dogs were thin—underfed— and their ribs and backbones were defined when they hunched for an attack. She realized that they weren’t looking at her but at the snakes on her head. On instinct she whistled, drawing their attention to her face for a split second. That’s all she needed, and they were gone. Gazing upon the the hardened mutts she felt the stone in her throat grow. Medusa felt as if her air supply was slowly weining out, like she had a limited amount of life left in her.	“YOU THERE, THE UNHOLY, STAY WHERE YOU ARE.” A voice behind her shouted. She knew she had a terrible power but she thought unholy was a bit of a stretch. She’d clearly missed a person when she was fleeing for her life. 	“I’m not unholy, so would you ple—” A stone tipped spear slit the side of her face. The fine cut began to bleed a faded ruby color. Between this gash and her banged up knees and arm, she didn’t want to loose more blood. She was nausious already, and didn’t want to wait around for other symptoms to start. 	The surviving man swore as he’d missed her face, and began to arm himself with another fallen weapon. This time it was a sharp fishing harpoon that her weilded. She ran.	The traction her feet held with the sand was an unhlpful disadvantage. She couldn’t run towards the stairs, the stranger would catch her. She she pursued onward towards the dreaded village. PART 7: MEETING	Humans really were relentless. They never stopped until they got what they wanted, and received their perfect victory. One thing she’d learned from the mortals on Earth was their solution to everything; to kill or destroy it. The man chasing her currently was the perfect depicton of this. 	He continued to pursue her, throwing the weapons of his pertafied breathren at her. He never missed. This stranger was a clear shooter, and it showed by the severe amount of wounds that tatooed her body. 	As she entered the main plaza she was greeted by the overwhelming blaze of torchlight. The man continued to tail her until she was in the dead center of the town. He stopped, and then began to shout. He spoke in an unidentifyable language, but it sounded as if he was warning the people about something. Me.	Windows of the houses shuttered open and gazed upon her. She gazed at the pebble stone ground and covered her ears. The deafening sound of shouting and overlapping conversations made her head hurt.  She could hear the sound of them readying their weapons. Sounded like crossbows or harpoons, she heard the clicks of the arrows nocking into the capsul. 	“This is it,” She told herself, “I die here.”		“You know you have the power, Master.” Ouli tempted in her ear “And we have the ability to wipe these people out with a single glance.”	Medusa was so caught up in her fear that she couldn’t think properly. All she wanted to do was die, but she didn’t think I’d be like this. Maybe it was better that she was gone, and these people would know that they slayed the saddest of living beings. 	Lifting her head to the heavens she said whispered “I’m ready, Athena” She sighed waiting for the men to shoot. Simoltaneously she listened to the release of the arrows and harpoons. She knew they were coming, she didn’t care. She knew she was bound to die a dismal mortal death, might as well be now.	Schwoop	The weapons all clattered to the floor. The piercing tips crumbled like dust. No pain filled her body, no blood excreted from her skin. Her snakes were unharmed as well, they appered to be just as perplexed as she was. The cave villagers were stunned at whatever mystic magic this was. They launched their weapons agin; this time she stared them directally in the face .With wach glance at their eyes another bodytransformed; lifeless. Medusa heard a release from behind her, an arrow from the shieth of a crossbow. She was unable to turn in time and the arrow would’ve killed her. However, where the tip should’ve impcted her skin there was a ricochet and a faint buzzing. A green wave of energy swept over her. Clattering the arrow to the ground. Medus felt a surge of electricity flow through her veins as the mysterious green wave receded. 	Everyone present stared in awe at what just happened. They couldn’t behold that she was protected by what appeared to be magic.	“DEMON WITCH.” A woman screamed	In a flurry there was pounding conversations that overtook her mind. Screaming and yelling of commands. Ordering to go here and get this or that. She couldn’t have a line of thought with the racket around her. The agitated villagers continued to fire weapons at her, each deflected as if it was made of sand. There was nothing they could do to stop her, no matter what they tried. 	From the depths of the rumbling crowd she heard a light yelling. Someone ordering everyone to alm down and relax. This tone was inaudible to all of the panicked people, but she heard their cry and it melted her heart. Maybe this stranger would help her escape from this chaos. She followed their voice like a man to a siren call. Calming her from the world around her, the softness and delicacy was music to her ears. 	Emerging from a bind of two young adults who ran away in terror, she came face to face with her godess. A woman around her age, who had long straight strawberry blonde hair, it flowed down her back like a waterfall and perfectly framed her face. With skin as perfect as the sand, she looked like a greek statue carved to utter perfection. Their wasn’t a single blemish on her body and not a feature out of place. She didn’t even seem real. An thats what Medusa believed. 	She was going crazy she thought. She was so shocked at this life or death situation that she was beginning to hallucinate of hot women. She tried to snap herself of this very vivid daydream. Turning away from the beautiful creature she emerged back into the menace.	“WAIT, WAAAAIT.” The angelic voice called again, “PLEASE, STOP, I KNOW YOU’RE SCARED.” 	Medusa obeyed	Standing frozen and unable to move she waited. She wanted to run and flee while this village was in a panick but she couldn’t not with some unknown force preventing her from moving. Then she felt a light touch.	Something grasped her shoulder stopping her thoughts. She didn’t even have to turn around to know exactly who this was. The angelic woman whose hands felt like a blessing to be touching. She felt her arms until she found her shoulders. She didn't look her in the eyes, she knew. Gazing aside at the ground she spoke.	“I apologize for my people they can’t compreheld the unusual and bizarre. They flee at anything that frightens them.”	“These scars say otherwise.” Medusa mumbled. 	The woman kept her eyes fixated on the dirt, but released a heart stopping smile. Medusa’s face felt uncomfortably warm all of the sudden, and she didn’t like it. This young woman was making her feel fuzzy inside. Her heart felt heavy but she has a swarm of butterflies in her stomach. This nervous feeling of suddenly wanting to impress this person took over. She took the woman aside infront of a torch-lit home. The woman felt her way around with her hands a if she was trying to identify her area.	“Okay, I need you to listen.” She was firm in her commands but they had a hint of kindness to them. “See that well over there.” She pointed right	Their was nothing “Uhh, no.”	“Oh, I mean over there.” She pointed the other direction	Medusa caught eye of where she was motioning to and nodded. It sat utop a hill with a cobblestone path curving its way up to meet it. The woman felt for her shoulders once more, but this time she slid her hands up her neck and cupped her face. 	Medusa suddenly got a painful flashback. It hurt, but she had to stay focused. The woman, still avoiding her eyes told her to guide her up the hill and ring the bell.	Medusa didn’t know the scary motive of this girl but she didn’t like it. But she knew that if she were ever to get out of the situation alive she was going to have to trust her. The began to swerve their way through all the people. Almost tripping over a hopefully unconscious body, she began to ascent the path. The entire way up the woman held onto her arm ah she guided her up. She wanted to see what was wrong why she was intent on touching her so prominently. She was a complete stranger to her. And a snake-haired one at that. 	Releasing her hold on the woman she made her wat over to the well. Its pitch-black hole probably fell for miles. Turning to the stranger she reassured her of her job. Nodding in agreement the woman turned her head. 	“NO” Medusa thought. She couldn’t look away in time, and she knew what was going to happen. This woman would actually become a statue. In less than a second this mortal, who she might have briefly caught feelings for, would be gone. She gazed upon her, their eyes locked, theyfroze, and then she smiled.	Nothing	No reaction.	No scream of utter fear.	Her snakes didn’t flare up, They recoiled and relaxed.	Medusa took in her eyes, the one feature of this mortal that was slightly unusual. Her eyes, which she predicted would’ve been blue, were faded. White as frosty snow. Like the milky eyes of her vipers upon her head. She realized within the milisecond.	She was blind.PART 7: LOVERS	It all made sense, the reason why she was immune to the petrification. Why she had to feel her surroundings, and why she never was constantly gazing down. She felt a spiritual connection to this woman when se discovered that she too had something “different” about her. 	She knew the woman couldn’t see her agreement but she tapped her twice on the arm to show she understood. The woman turned away and towards the panicking village. Her eyes were somber eventhough the sights of her people weren’t visible to her. It hurt her to have to see the people she cared about in a panic over something as silly as her. Medusa watched in despair at the woman for what seemed like an eternity until she remembered the job she was instructed to do. 	Grasping the hoarse rope, she tugged on it releasing a deafening resonation. After three rings the panic settled among the people. They eventually ceased their chatter and perked up their heads like little gophers. She rested her hand on the woman’s shoulder telling her that she was ready. 	The womans eyes darted in several directions trying to identify the direction of the village. Medusa didn’t know how to help, except directioning her hand towards the people. This startled her almost to the point of tears, but she was thankful for it. 	When she began to speak Medusa got chills of excitement along her spine. She was in awe at how someone so beautiful could get her so easily flabbergasted. Medusa was unable to gaze into the eyes of the people so she kept her heart set on the woman beside her. 	“This woman is not a threat to our people.” The woman shouted, “She comes in peace and didn’t mean to harm any of us.	“You spit lies child,” A fat bearded man shouted from below them	“Yeah she turned my husband to stone.” A woman sobbed	“And single-handedly defeated our entire line of protection.” Another shouted	“We only have a 10 man defense,” She protested, “An besides shouldn’t that show you that she isn’t to be meddled with. That their is now way you can defeat her when she weilds an incredible power. You saw it yourself. I know I couldn’t, but from the hardened people and the weird screams of terror I could tell. I heard the wave of mystic energy the flooded through the village. She’d untouchable and can’t be defeated, so why try.”	From the silence of the crowd came a screaming woman. She didn’t want to see what she looked like. But from the sound of it she sonded like this womans Mother. 	“UZURI, GET AWAY FROM THAT MONSTER.” She shouted up towards us.	“I’m so sorry,” Uzuri winced	From assumption of her reaction to the woman’s voice, it was her mother. She briefly apologized again then turned back to the people. “This woman means no harm. From my brief interaction with her I’ve realized that she is similar to I.”“No no she isn’t,” Uzuri’s mother complained, “She killed half our village, and has serpents for hair. A living carnation of a devil’s spawn.”“A simple misstep, none of you realized that she was scared as well. In a panic of her newfound ability she was afraid.” Uzuri kept on defending her regardless of the oppositions that the village came up with. The heat on Medusa’s face slowly grew hotter by the minute. She felt an unfamiliar lump in her stomach and a sudden longing to grow closter to Uzuri. As she continued to speak in defend Medusa in loving honor she began to question Uzuri’s intentions. What even drew her to wanting to suddenly defend a stranger she didn’t even know. Stopping her in her ranting, Medusa turned Uzuri towards her and said “Why are you doing this? You don’t even know me I don’t even know you. And no offense nothing that you say will convince these people that I’m harmless.”Uzuri sighed, “The reason I help you is because you’re the first person who’s like me.”“Ok so?” Medusa ruines the sentimental moment “Devil of unknown origin,” A plump olive skinned man emerged from the parting crowd. “What unfaithful business do you have here?”Medusa broke her contact with Uzumi and gaxed at the waterfall in the far distance. She wouldn’t look this leader in the eyes but she knew in order to stay alive she had to face them at some point. “I have no business with you or your people. I was banished here and cursed with a head of vipers by the goddess Athena herself.” Murmurs scattered amongst the crowd, “I know I harmed your people, and nothing I say or do will attone to that. But I've been on this island for months and I assumed their was no sign of life. So when I found people, actual mortal lives I was overjoyed. I didn’t know of the power I possess; and it  shocked me just as much as you. I know I seem a threat to your people so if you would like to kill me, do as you must.” Medusa paused breathing in the harsh reality of her situation. She turned until her back was to the crowd and began to descend the hill. Then she felt the painful grasp of Uzuri’s hand around her arm. “This poor woman’s endured enough don’t you think that we should spare her.” Uzuri hesitated for a moment contemplating the right next move. “Punish me as well. If you’re going to make her endure the rest of her life on her own; I want her to have someone to endure it with her. So whatever you decide, I will do as well.”		The villagers began to fuss over the idea of their blind village girl spending the rest of her days alone with Medusa. Audibly everyone was opposed to it, Her mother especially was screaming at the village leader to deny her request. But Medusa could tell that he was deeply considering it. He soon rose his hand in decision and pronounced his proclamation. 	“Uzuri Otamak, if it is your wish to accompany this creature in her journey through life so be it. However, you know the creed of our people and understand that if anyone is to forfeit their place amongst this village they won’t be permitted to return. It is your life and therefore you’re decision, but you must honor the creed and never set foot her again.”	This shook Uzuri more than Medusa thought it woul. Obviously she shouldn’t do it, their was no way that she would allow another person to give up their life for her. She seized Uzuri by the hand and pleaded with her not to even consider it. She didn’t meet her eyes and took slow shaky breaths. Medusa knew she was considering the decision, and pleaded with her again saying how she didn’t even know her. 	“You know nothing about me and I don’t know anything about you, you can’t just throw away your normal life just to spend it with a stranger. Thats absurd and out of the question.”	“No,”Uzuri chuckled, “Like our leader said, it is my life so it becomes my choice.”	Turning to the crowd she bluntly announced that she’d made her final decision 	“I choose to spend the remainder of my days with this woman. Shall I regret my decision I won’t return to this place and forge my life on the outside.”	“THAN IT IS DECIDED.” their leader shouted, receding back into the mob of people.	Cries of disagreement and sorrow emitted from below as the mass slowly dispersed. Medusa still in shock at the decision just made began to question a number of different things. She immediately overwhelmed Uzuri with questions and complaints that she had.	“Shut it, I don’t want to hear any of your pity on me.” She tried to stare at where her eys would be, “I can tell your special no question about it, and thats al the reasoning I need. 

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Stone Blind 	PART 1: ASCENDING There are many tales in the history of the Greeks and Romans. Many of which are untold and unknown to man. Some of these fables are even used up to this day. However over time mortals have twisted and morphed the original story. No one can tell what truly occurred. So I would like to share a sliver in the life of the foretold villain known as Medusa…	Medusa was known buy all gods on Olympus, even before her untimely misfortune. She was recognized as one of the only children of gods that was born with mortality. Even though this set her apart, her immense beauty caught the eye of every man and woman that beheld her. Many will say she was boastful and proud of her looks but the truth to the matter is she was humble and kind. Commoners stopped her in the streets and asked if she was a goddess and sometimes gave their tributes to her. She was said to be the image of perfection, an angelic item. She spent the majority of her life on the grounds of the human world, Earth. She found the people utterly fascinating. How they live and feel for another, she was so intertwined in their culture and customs that she began to live like them. Medusa never minded, she began to ponder why the gods were so vicious to these tenderhearted people. She did realize their were terrible people in the world, and that no one was perfect but they should still be granted mercy. 	A cloudy afternoon she was summoned to the heavens by her mother for the first time in centuries. Although her parents weren’t known like Zeus or Posidon, they were titans. The originals, and they were absolutely massive. Naturally they could change their forms like every god could but her mother remained in her titanic shape. Described to Medusa it was because it felt more natural to be in their normal form. Like every god they had quite a few children and for remembrance purposes Medusa and her sisters. She hadn’t interacted with most of her family in quite some time, so Medusa was eager to reunite with her beloved mother and sisters. Her father, Phorkys was a case that made her nose flair every time she heard his name. After the birth of her and her sisters he left them and was soon killed by some stuck up scumbag named Ajax. As much as Medusa despised her father she believed there was no worse way to die than by some scruffy teenager who still gets the occasional voice crack. Medusa was thankful she was in Athens at the time because she couldn’t bear having to travel miles to get to olympus. All she really had to do was catch the Golden Pegasus. The metro train that was a oneway ride to the top. Years ago Zeus had declared that the gods should ‘modernize’ the routes to olympus. So he forced Hepastus to create an exclusive only transportation to olympus so the gods could come an go as they please from the mortal world to theirs.Medusa put on her best clothes and combed her luxurious golden hair. She’d been reminded by her mother that this was her best feature and that people would still love her for her looks and her undoubatable personality. Tying it up with a bright green ribbon, she rushed to the station where she presented a harpy her VIP pass onto the pegasus. Sitting in the golden lined compartment she took in all its beauty from the front to the back. I’d been a while since she’d taken this way to Olympus but it was mesmerizing each and every time. She was seated in a cushioned chair that had reclining and heating features. Topped with a breathtaking view of Athens from the window seat. After the train began its journey she was unexpectedly met by another harpy whose feathers clashed in a swarm of reds, greens, and blues. The harpy extended their talon and offered her a thick menu containing thousands of edible choices.“Courtesy of your mother, lady Medusa. She said you may choose whatever you like.” they bowed and left her to her indecisive choosing. “Hmmm, what to choose” Medusa pondered aloudShe knew she wanted some nektar, but there were special infusions she could add to it. Her eye caught a raspberry infusion and then she wandered over to the dessert menu. When the harpy returned to take her order she ended up asking for five various dessert options and two different kinds of nektar. The harpy assured her it would arrive shortly and Medusa waited in anticipation for her delectable meal. She thought about how mad her mother would be that she ordered all those desserts and not a single dose of protein or fiber. The fact that Medusa was mortal technically made any god-produced food toxic to her stomach, but they all looked so good she couldn’t resist. And some minor bathroom problems weren't going to stop her. Her desserts, delivered on a silver platter, came as soon has her daydream ended. The thick slice of lemon meringue pie with a generous amount of cream on top was the first item she consumed. Hosing down her throat with the raspberry nektar, she then ate the biggest snickerdoodle cookie she’d ever seen, followed by and orange and blueberry tart. Her sugar tooth craved more eventhough her stomach didn’t. At that moment the only voice she heard was her tooth’s cry of hunger for more carbs. She ate a tiramisu that enriched her mouth with the sweet taste of chocolate espresso. Then completed her meal with a hefty slice of toast with lemon curd spread, and the second helping of nektar. Medusa’s hunger was slaked and she felt like she was going to vomit a rainbow. She had that unshakable feeling that she was fat from all the food she just consumed. And going to reunite with her family in this state made her feel unpresentable. Stepping out onto the polished rocks of Mount Olympus she was greeted by a less than pleasant sight. What looked like a handycentuar was hanging an ‘out of order’ sign over the escalator that lead to the greeting plaza. Which indicated that her only way to meet her mother and sisters was to climb 70 individual flights of stairs by foot. Medusa let out a depressed moan of anger and began to trot towards the top. She said some unkind human swears she’d picked up from the people down there as she stepped higher and higher. By flight 23, her heart wanted to escape her chest and her ankles wanted to murder themselves. She knew their was no way she would make it to the top by 3:00, the time she agreed to meet them. Medusa pursued, and managed to push herself for another 17 layers of stairs before she collapsed, heaving on the cold stone steps. What felt like hours until someone recovered her was really only minutes. A glowing figure emerged from behind a large cumulonimbus cloud. As they drew into her line of sight she cried out for someone to help her. Seeing it was a rather skinny, yet muscular man. As he drew closter she recognized some signature winged shoes. Their golden soles on what seem to be a fancy pair of Nike Air Jordans. Their platinum wings flapping rapidly from the ankles. This bone of a creature was none other than the God of travel, Hermes.PART 2: REUNITED 	Medusa’s savior looked like a walking Nike advertiser. His curly red-tinted hair was hung high in a messy bun and secured with a neon yellow sweatband. His golden eyes radiated positive energy that warmed Medusa’s heart.	“Medusa? I thought that was you. No one had hair quite as golden as that, am I right. How you been?” Hermes blabbered. 	Even with her little time on Olympus, Hermes was never the quiet type. He’d blab on and on talking bout random nymphs and dryads, and the weirdest topics. Medusa didn’t mind him either. He was just a quirky god that was incredibly extroverted. “Wat’cha doing, sprawled out on the stairs?” He quirked his head, like a confused puppy.Medusa briefly described her dilemma and how she was going to die on the steps of Olympus alone. Hermes found her story hilarious and topled back on air cracking up. “I don’t understand what’s so funny?” “You’re so dramatic, Doucha”Medusa forgot about the horrid nickname everyone had for her. Her melodramatic sisters thought she was a big douchebag when she lived up here, so instead of their cute nickname of Dusa’ they morphed it into Doucha. Medusa sighed and begged Hermes to never call her that again. He held up his hands defensively and caimed he was just playing around.Medusa was done with his child idiocy, so she got up and began to ascend once more. Hermes tailed her blabbing on and on about how Zeus was sleeping around again and how he probably had more half-siblings than ever before. Then he proceeded to describe a new invention of humans called animation. She tried to block out his monotone voice but it was literally impossible. “Hermes could you possibly do me a favor?” she questioned“Sure, Doucha, anything.” “Fly on ahead and tell my mother I’m going to be late, because of the stair incident.”Hermes thought about my request for a solid minute then bleakly replied “No”“But,” he began, “I can do this.” he grunted and reached out his arms and scooped Medusa in his arms. Before she sould escape she was launched up hundreds of feet in the air. Medusa let out cries of fear as the windy pressure pounded in her ears. She screamed for Hermes to let her down, but he refused claiming he was ‘helping her’,“You put me on the ground right now or I swear I’ll beat you when we land.”“Then I guess we’ll never land.” Hermes teased. Medusa’s hair was getting in her face causing her to see through thick blonde lines. She refused to look below her, and as much as she despised it all she could do was bury her face in Hermes sweaty Adidas shirt. She pleaded silently with him to release her, and for once he listened to reason. The two of them descended towards solid ground where she could make out figures of what looked like her mother and her sisters. There were other people that stood by them, some who looked unfamiliar to her. Whoever they were, Medusa thought, they better watch their back. Her sisters were both immortal and indestructiblele. 	When Medusa estimated she was bout 10 feet from the ground she jumped. The last thing she wanted was to be cradled in the arms of a bony Nike fanboy. Her dress fluttered like a flower around her as she gracefully flew towards the ground. Landing on both feet she beamed with joy at her amazing feat. Standing in front of her was the happiest sight to behold. Her beloved mother and her sisters Stheno and Euryale.	Scream of delight escaped her lips as she galloped towards her sisters and embraced them in the warmest hug she’d felt in a while. Releasing for breaths of air she linked herself in her mothers arms, lightly kissing the back of her neck. After saying their joyful greetings they wandered in the direction of her mother’s home. 	“Come Gorgo,” she called for Medusa, she forgot all about her biological name, she changed it immediately when she got to the human realm. Because of its unsettling meaning of ‘grim’ she didn’t want that to be the name people referred to her as. She tried to correct her mother on her untimely mistake but she was already going.	“Come on child,” her mother beckoned, “I have a lovely surprise for you.”	If there was one thing that Medusa hated was surprises. Every time someone contrapted one for her, even out of love, they ended up going terribly wrong. Once for her birth celebration her sister created a beautiful scenery of animals and flowers recreating a breathtaking jungle-like landscape. However she could barely walk through it because all of the branches and leaves entangled themselves in her hair. Evenstill, she was swept away by her wrist to somewhere she didn’t want to know. 	Surprisingly enough, it was her house. The place she grew up in, with her sisters and her parents. She assumed seeing the house itself was the surprise because her mother was never the kind of woman for surprises. However, Medusa was fasionably wrong. She was lead through the door by Stheno and up a the forever winding staircase. When she reached the pivot of the stairs, the stopped in front of an engraved wooden door. Medusa remembered this door, the one she’d enter everytime she felt hothead or when she was sad because the children at school teased her for being mortal. Or when her father surprised her with nektar when she was feeling under the weather. Her bedroom, her sanctuary. Tears began to prickle on the ends of her eyes, they felt hot but she didn’t mind. She was unaware how much she missed this place until it was gone. Stheno embraced her and comforted her through soothing shushes. She was soon joined by Euryale who joked that she was missing all the fun and joined their group enbrace. 	After several minutes she opened the door and stood in the doorway admiring the nostalgic elements of the room. The large bookcase filled with her favorite novels, the bed that still had that lavender bedspread ,or the desk that was scattered with trophies and nick-nacks. And the massive white fluffy rug she used to roll around on when she was stressed. 	“I’ll give you a minute to unpack your things and take a moment,” Stheno said as the lock clicked behind her. 	Medusa hopped ontop of her bed collapsing in a pool of pillows. She was finally feeling like she was home. Thats when she noticed the one unusual thing in the room. A small bouquet of flowers on the windowsill. Their peculiar crimson color attracted her towards them. They were poppies, and attached to the vase they were held in was a slip of paper that read: Welcome home. Signed with a signature she did not expect. Poseidon.PART 3: CELEBRATION	Her mother took her shopping at the local Olympus Mall as a treat. She’d bought several items of clothing called ‘band t-shirts’ They were her new favorite thing to wear in the human realm. She found the pictures and people on them utterly fascinating. 	“Why did you choose to but those ghastly things child?” Her mother retorted in disgust.” There are so many lovely tunic and gown stores here. Only the best as you know.”	Medusa rolled her eyes and explained that she was more accustomed to the human dressing fashion than the Olympian one. The second she finished her sentence her her mother perked up. Her eyes grew wide like a dog seeing a squirrel. 	“Dress! Gown!. Oh gods I forgot!” she scheeched crimping her hair with her hands.	“Gorgo I totally forgot to tell you about the gala tonight. It’s a special gathering Zeus wanted to hold, marking the beginning of the winter solstice. Which just to happens to be tonight. Your sisters already bought their gowns months ago and the idea for you just slipped my mind. So we must go try on some now.” Her mother blabbed on and on until they reached a little boutique called Dryads Dressed and Formal Wear. The windows were lined with models wearing elegant dressed with glitter and golden embroidery. From the moment they entered they were greeted by two green dryads with long ears. They were clothed in flowy white dresses and sandals. 	“Lady Ceto and..” she hesitated, “Mistress Gorgo.” 	“Please, I prefer Medusa now.” she beamedMedusa’s mother scoweled at the sound of her new name. She continued into the store towards the section for Medusa’s rather embarrassing dress size. As she gazed at the more modest dressed Medusa’s attention was drawn somewhere else. She set her eyes on a beautiful long green lacy dress. It was patterned with winding snakes and light pink lotuses. There were cold shoulders, and mesh sleeves that puffed out at the elbows. The gown seemed like a vision from a fairytail itself and she craved to try it on. Clearly the dryad noticed Medusa’s  hunger and spoke up, “would you like to try that one on.”She nodded vigorously and ran towards the direction of the dressing room. Her mother was still three steps ahead and caught her forearm before she could set foot in there. She scolded her for how inappropriately she was running the the store then demanded she see this dress she so longed to try on.“ABSLOUTELY NOT.” Her mother hollered, “Do you know how incredibly inmodest that dress is. You can see all of your arms through those sleeves. People will be eyeing you the entire night.” “It’s fine mother.” she promised, “no one is that savage. It’s just a gala and I really adore this dress look at the impeccable embroidery job on the lace. And the lotus flowers they added are breathtaking.” The dryads ears turned a rosy shade of pink and glanced towards the floor in embarrassment. Medusa pleaded with her mother to let her at least try the dress on. She tailed her around the boutique begging and begging until she gave into her persuasion. “FINE, fine. Try on the damned dress and if you can convince me then you can have it.” She rested her head in her handMedusa squeeled and raced back to the room to try it on. Thanking the dryad and shutting the door she began to hurriedly undress. When she was just in her undergarments she admired all of the scars and bruises on her body. She wasn’t a fan of her baby pudge but she still thought that her body in this dress would make her look absolutely breathtaking. Opening the door she showed off the gown to her mother. She walked towards her and gave a little sway in the way that she walked. Stopping in her tracks she gave a modeling spin and curtsey.“So, mom.” She said in a seductive tone, “Have I convinced you. Has my breathtaking choice in clothing blown you away to let me purchase this.” She striked a quirky pose then chuckled. All of the sudded her mother nodded, “As much as I despise this dress you however, might not. I’ll let you choose what you wear and won’t fight back.” Her face suddenly grew grim. “Just remember, Medusa, their are people at his gala that are not for the feint of heart. They appear to be nice on the outside but are reckless monsters underneath. You are one of the most beautiful people that I know. As I’ve said before beauty is—” “Both a blessing and a curse.” Medusa finishedHer mother smiled her rare smile and told her to unchange. After she generously purchased the dress and tipped for their service they were off to go get ready for the night to come. As they arrived at the house her sister ran out of the house to swarm them with question. She couldn’t even hear her breathing it was so loud. Her mother swore at them to say back and let her get inside. She then unfolded the dress from its milky box and unfurrled it before them. Gasps of pure delight escaped their lips, and Medusa was convinced that Euryale was going to cry.They all showered her with complements on how good she’d look in it. Her face grew hot and she shoved away all their attention. “Oh right the gala.” Stheno perked up. “We need to get ready its in a few hours.” Dragging her up the stairs once more they shoved her into the powder room this time. They circled her like hawks applying foundation, concealer, blush and other various cosmetic items. Within thirty minutes she felt like a different person. She no longer had that zit on the side of her face and her eyes looked bigger and bolder. She had eyeliner sharper than a knife and eyelashes that felt too heavy to be real. Breathless she studdered a thank you. Stheno and Euryale glanced at eachother and high fived. “All in a day’s work.” Stheno sighed“Must be so difficult having two incredibly amazing older sisters.” Euryale nagged Medusa chuckled and left the room to go dress herself in her farytail dress. By the time she was done Her sisters looked like they'd been ready for hours and were groaning that she wasn’t hurrying. Her mother came down shortly after looking glamorous as ever and insisted they take a family photo before they were overwhelmed by other people. As her mother rused into the nearby room her sister’s glanced at eachother and gave a mischievous giggle.“What, what is it you two?” Medusa was scardly intrigued“Oh it’s nothing,” Stheno wiped a tear of joy from her golden eyes, “Mother just recently discovered selfie sticks and now all she wants to do is take pictures with it.“Is that bad?” Medusa questioned“Well,” Euryale began, “See for yourself–” She pointed in the direction of the room their mother disappeared into.Stepping out with a skip her mom held up the most hideous stick she’d ever seen. I was bedazzled in crusty rainbow gems, as if that wan’t bad enough their were various patterned ribbons braided and strung around it. The end of the selfie stick had the largest neon green tassel she’d ever seen. Medusa almost let out a yelp of disgust at the horror her mother beheld.Glancing back at her sisters with her brows raised as to say ‘really?’ Stheno replied with an ‘I told you it was this bad’ kind of look. Her mom galloped over towards her and snatched her and her sisters by their arms. Squeezing them together a little to close for comfort. She raised the horiffic stick of rainbows in the air and yelled “EVERYONE SAY SOLSTICE”“Solstice,” they replied in a monotone voice, smiling halfheartedlyHer mother clapped thrice and then beckoned everyone out the door. Insisting they must be at least 15 minutes early, because impressions on people were everything. Stheno and Medusa groaned as they were forced into the back of the limo and Euryale was seated beside their mother. As the vehicle began its onward motion to wherever the gala was being hosted delight caught Medusas eye.On the side of the car was a large compartment of refreshments and delights that they could choose from. Stheno and Medusa exchanged looks as their mouths began to drool. “Ooohh come to mama.” Stheno pounced towards a large bottle of sparkling wine and a vase of chocolate nektar truffles. Before her claws made contact her hand was slapped out of the way by another. She retreated cradling her hand in pain. Her mother had a smug look on her face that silently told them that they were not to touch. Euryale made a nagging little face that made Medusa’s blood boil.“Mum you chipped my nail! Those took hours to get done and those nymphs charged me extra drachma because of the glitter.” Stheno argued, her mother unamused“Well then you shouldn’t snitch because you’ll get it on your gown.” 	Stheno’s eye twitched “You mean the gown I paid for?”	Her mother scrunched her face in disgust “I only paid for Gorgo’s because she’s been down in the dreadful mortal world with their rash pits of fashion. So I gave her a treat, give her something to remind her of the lovely life up here on olympus.”	“Really?” Stheno retorted sarcastically “Because thats not what you told me yesterday.”At this remark their mothers face resembled a ghost, and her eyes grew wide. She had a secret that she hadn’t told Medusa yet and she was intrigued and really scared. There was something that her mother wasn’t communicating to her. Was it her opinion on something that she did in the mortal world. If it was Medusa would apologize, she didn’t know all the things that were in that emo store in the mall. She’d promise her mom that she would never go back in there again.	“So…Mother. Go on tell her what you told me.” Stheno interrupted Medusa’s fit of panic	“Well Gorgo.” Her mother started	“Its Medusa.” she muttered 	“Whatever, I just wanted to tell you I love you and don’t think of you any differently. Regardless of what Stheno says.” She shot her eyes back at her sister “I just told your sister that you needed a… push of help because you’re mortal and aren’t indestructible like your sisters.” 	“You WHAT?” Medusa clenched her fists, flabbergasted 	Euryale who’d remained oddly silent this entire time began to motion that they were here. Their mother yelled that no one was leaving until Stheno apologized. Taken back, Stheno flared her nostrils and shoved a rather unkind finger in her mothers face. Without hesitation snatched the desired goodies from the compartment and left the vehicle. Medusa didn’t know how to feel. She just discovered that her mother thought she needed ‘help’ and she thought less of her because she was mortal. She knew there was some hidden reason for her being so unusually bittersweet towards her. She never would’ve imagined that this would be the reason. Ontop of that Stheno was sad and is probably somewhere crying and eating the food she snagged. 	Medusa couldn’t decide if she wanted to cry or punch someone in the face. She was leaning towards the second but restrained herself. Medusa took several breaths in and out to calm her slowly rising temper and death glared her mother in the face.	“How dare you,” she muttered “not that you think less of me just because I wasn’t gifted with immortality. But because you damaged you own daughters spirits over stupid delicacies and forced her to keep a secret that burdened her to hold.”	In a swift huff Medusa exited the vehicle and glided towards the welcoming entrance of the gala. She didn’t care how her mother felt and she surly hoped that Euryale wouldn’t be a suck up and realize their mothers true intentions. 	Her heels clacked on the pebble ground as she arrived towards the check-in. There was a satyr clothed in a very fine silk blazer that had flower collar pins. They welcomed her and asked for her name. Once she gave it they frantically searched through the papers on their clip board. The poor satyr kept apologizing for the ‘inconvience’. They were probably traumatized by all the other gods that are massivly impatient and were nervous.“S-so-sorry m-m-miss.” They stuttered “I can’t f-f-find yo-your n-name.” Medusa rolled her eyes, swearing under her breath at her mother, because she still refused to ca her by her other name.“Oh then try the name Gorgo.” she sighed It took the satyr four seconds until she found her other name and hastily beckoned her into the party where she was gifted a ceremonial bracelet. It appeared to be entertwined with rose gold and silver and had a shining lightning bolt charm. Definitely from the courtesy of Zeus himself.It didn’t take long for her to be overwhelmed by servants and butlers offering her food and champagne. Then there were the guests, which mostly consisted of gods godesses and a select few of the children. The first dreaded soul to reintroduce themselves was none other than the lovely Demeter. PART 4: THE GALADemeter was as blooming as ever dressed in a long lavender gown that had a flowing tail behind it. It was sprinkled with glitter and gems. Her hair was pinned up  in a curly bun with catclaw vines and daisies accessorizing it. She has simple but powerful makeup on that made her look sweet but could still kill you. “Gorgo darling.” Se squeeled “So lovely to see you. You look absloutely ravishing in that dress. Every time I see you I just want to cut all that hair off and make it mine.” She gave a very forceful laugh and went for a squashing embrace.Medusa backed away in embarrassment and commented “Oh, it’s actually Medusa now. I’ve taken a liking to that name, since i’ve been in the human realm.”“Oh really. Well then I guess I must inform Persephone because she’d beed dying to see someone that’s not the grain nymphs.”Before she attempted to hug Medusa a second time her brain was already racing for an excuse “Oh um… Look its Hermes better go say ‘hi’ havent seen him in the longest time.”“Oh well then, Caio” Demeter twittled her fingers and wandered off to harass the satyrs Medusa speed over to the direction Hermes was in and tapped him vigorously on the shoulder. Turning around in a flurry he spat an annoyed ‘what’. Realizing who it was he retracted and immediately apologized. She then told him to look pretend they’d been talking for a while because she’d just spotted her mother. Confused, Hermes followed her command and started doing what he did best .He rambled on and on until Euryale and her mother grazed in their direction.“And that’s why I chose track pants to wear over my blazer and not dress pants.” Hermes hesitated. “Oh hey Mrs. C”Mildly disgusted at his very nonchalant welcome  she extended her bony hand and replied. Then she gave Medusa a warning look which she immediately deflected and wandered away. Medusa released a breath she didn’t realize she was holding and thanked Hermes for his help. Then another person caught the attention of Medusa and she politely excused herself from Hermes.“See ya Dusa.” He winked then clicked his heels summoning the winged Jordans.She weaved her way through different people until she reached the person she set eyes with. Years ago she’d vowed her life to this goddess and pledged that she would learn from her and follow in her footsteps as her priestess. The oath that she swore made her keep many things including her virginity and she’d done so and intended to. However when she was sent to the mortal relm she lost contact with her mentor, but the pact between them still remained. As difficult as some convinced her it would be, she was never really attracted to any of the men in the mortal realm. They never made her feel the way others told her they would. Eventhough so many mortal men tried to deciever her into sleeping with them she was never phazed. Like any good student of Athena she was taught to see right through the tricks than men created. She continued to live a normal life, studying and taking in the beauty of the world below her. She she emerged behind Athena, who was dressed in a dazzling platinum suit and attacked her from behind in a warm hug. This backfired almost immediately. The thought that Athena was the goddess of war and stragety briefly slipped Medusa’s mind.  She’d forgotten about her impeccable reflexes, and her advance immediately backfired.She grabbed Medusa’s hands and in less than a second she a flung though the air and plummeted towards the ground. Mid-way flying Athena noticed who it was she just judo flipped. But it was too late. Medusa hit the ground hard and all the air in her lungs escaped. Her stomach felt like it was heaving in on itself and her head began to spin. Athena who’s brows were furrowed, looked concerned for Medusa.There was a sudden ringing in her ears a high monotone note that she couldn’t shake. She glimpsed back at Athena who was calling a name over and over. Medusa couldn’t make out the words from her lips. She felt really tired in a sudden wave, contemplating to herself she thought she should sleep. She closed her eyes and was enveloped into blackness.It was a short amount of time before she was reawakened on a bench to the side of the party. Surrounded buy more people than she’d expected. There was her mother and both her sisters, aside them was Athena. Then a strikingly familiar man had his hand in her head and was muttering lowly to himself. He was glowing, literally. A golden halo ring circed his head and rotated around his golden curled head. Suited in a white tuxedo there was an alarming smear of what looked lik blood down the collar. His kind blue eyes and freckled face smiled warmly back at her. He released his grip on her head and sat back with a sigh.“Did you fix her wound, is she going to be alright Apollo?” Her mother tensed He waved her off. “Of course she will just give her a second will you Ceto.”Medusa made her way up to a sitting position and softly muttered ‘what happened?Immediately there was a swarm of explanations from every mouth and this triggered her throbbing headache. She loudly sushed them all and asked Athena her burning question.“Its my fault” she said gloomily “My stupid instincts kicked in and I immediately flipped you over.“Yeah, I remember that part.” “Sorry,” She apologized, “I just underestimated my strength and you hit your head pretty hard; but thankfully Apollo was near so he came and healed your concussion.”“Thanks for that.” She glanced at Apollo“Any time.” he beamedAlmost as if it was an instinct, Medusa stood up and kneeled before Athena reciting the vow of the priestessAthena my goddess I vow to theeAll of the things I hold dear to meMy heart and my soul; even my virginityI will grow in knowledge from thine’s beautiful mindRecord your pain and sorrow for all of timeI pledge my heart May you use it to how you see fit Take the match of your kindnessAnd with it be litI pledge you my soulMay it travel alongside thee when I arn’t thereAnd know you’ll protect me Your power is fair I pledge my virginityThat no man stealNo matter how much thy tempt me Comittment, be realAll these things I give to thee Everything dear to me And you return to I I serve thee forever until the end of timeThe curse that ties to this bondDeeper than any scar Defy any of these vows; a single one The other shall banish thee, way far.Medusa rose to her feet to see Athena with tears in her eyes and the look of  proud mother on her face. She smiled back and her and hoped for some praise for remembering her oath for so long.“Aww my little viper you remembered.” She smiled knuckling Medusa’s head	They walked towards the heart of the party Athena reintroudcing Medusa to all of the other gods and some of her closest friends. She talked to Iris and Hephastus. Then was deliberately ignored by Aphrodite who was busy flirting with a very muscular centaur. Then the two of them wandered off towards the satyr that carried a platter of horderves and another that held sparkling cider. They were then rudely interrupted by Aries who started picking on Athena’s pupil. If anything Athena was not the kind of person that you wanted to get on the bad side of she gave a tremendous blow to the back of Aries head and he knew he’d been warned to lay off.	There was a light gonging of a bell in the far distance signaling the start of something that Medusa was unaware of. Seconds after the distant alarm Zeus, the overexaggerated and overhyped king of the Gods, stepped up to the podium and tapped a silver spoon on his glass. The plaza grew quiet and the background chatter silenced as Zeus arose on the platform, beginning his speech.“Brothers,” gestured towards Posideon and what would’ve been Hades “My sons and daughters, and other esteemed family and guests . I must thank you all for attending this once in a millennium gala for the Winter Solstice. What makes this party so unique is that around one in the morning when the moon appears it will appear not white; but blue. That’s correct my friends, we are having ourselves a Blue Moon Solstice. So please help yourself to food refreshments for they’ll never run out. Sing and dance, their will be dancing.” He laughed “And don’t hesitate to explore some of the many temples we have deticated to our beloved Gods and Godesses. Including one of our newest editions the Temple of Athena.” Zeus gestured towards her and Athena and smiled and sending the entire crowd into a roar of applause.Athena’s cheeks grew visibly red yet she pretended to not notice and stood tall. Zeus thanked all the people once more for attending his gala and the party resumed. Medusa and Athena grew tired within seconds, and the stumbled back towards the bench to take a breath and relax.“Jeez I hate these shoes,” Athena laughed and threw her silver heels in the grass. She unbuttoned her blazer, revealing no visible shirt underneath. She sighed in relief. Medusa blushed and tried not to stare, but gods was Athena stacked! She followed her footsteps  and also removed her heels as well. The pain in her ankles soothened and she began to have blood circulation in her toes.“Who even invented heels?” Medusa complained“Hepestus”“Wait, REALLY?” Medusa replied in shock“Yep, it was one of his many ploys to get Hera for throwing him off Mount Olympus and giving him permanent internal damage. Although this one backfired because she actually liked them.”“Oh?”“She decided to give the idea ti humans, allowing them to make them. But didn’t even think that they’d become such a torture device.”Medusa snorted her little laugh at the karma that it brought on Hephestus. Which sent Athena into a rage of laughter at the soung of Medusas laugh. They sat giggling for a while before they were abruptly stopped. “Alrightey my gods and godesses, satyrs, and centaurs.” A voice boomed with the flash of stagelights, “ You know was’up. Its time for the dance portion of tonight’s hype. So get with your partner or significant other and lets blow this place up. ARE YOU READY???!!!”  Their was a blaring response of cheers and people scrambled onto the dance floor. Medusa and Athena glanced at eachother like two kindergardeners hearing their favorite song. “You wanna go.” Athena questioned. Without hesitation Medusa grabbed Athena hand and they ran barefoot towards the crowd. The lights were so loud they gave Medusa a headache. She didn’t care, she was having the time of her life with some of her favorite people in the whole world. She ran into Stheno who had clearly had one to many of the free champagnes. Her dress was mysteriously torn at the thigh and there were some questionable marks on her neck. Stheno linked her arm into Medusa’s and swung her at in circles at an uncomfortable pace that temporarily made her headache worse. As the world around her was spinning she grasped the arm of what she thought was Athena, straining for support. “Woah there,” a voice lowedImmediately Medusa jumped back in surprise, thinking to herself that that definitely wasn’t Athena. She glanced up to see who the stranger she clung onto was. A tall and very defined man who was clothed in a nice ocean blue tuxedo. His sandy blonde hair was falling in his face and his beard was scraggly and untamed. But his eyes had an unsettling storm inside them that she didn’t like. “Oh, i’m sorry. I thought you were Athena.”“So your comparing me to Athena now, little viper.”“Little viper?” Medusa muttered under her breath. Only one person was allowed to call her that and that was Athena. So whoever this sandy wannabe was could back off.Medusa glared the middleaged beachboy in the irises and spoke over the noise of the crowd “You do NOT get to call me that.” The man shrugged and went for Medusa’s hand. She couldn’t escape the grasp of this man no matter how much she struggled to. He laid a light kiss on the back of her hand and had a devious grin on his face. Immediately, after he arose she was shocked by the grasp of two feminine hands from be hind her. She was drawn back into the breasts of who she realized was Athena; who still had a half unbuttoned blouse. Athena had a sneer on her face as she gazed at the man. She held her arm around Medusa like a protective mother whispering into her ear that she was sorry she left. Releasing her doubtfully she treaded over towards the stranger until she was nose to nose with him.“Listen Posidon whatever weird thing you have with my priestess can stop. She doesn’t need you harassing her at her reunion with her friends and family. So stay away from her, she’s young and she has a full night ahead of her that won’t be stifled by your traveling eyes.” She pushed him out of the crowd of dancing people, dragging Medusa along.“Yeah,” Athena whispered softly, “Don’t think I didn’t see you making goo-goo eyes at her.”He stammered and then hushed, as Medusa realized that Athena wasn’t wrong. He shot his eyes behind Athena’s shoulder locking eyes with Medusa. He seemed as if he was crying out for help, from beneath a blanket of shame. Medusa sympathized with him and knew how he felt. Athena was very intimidating at times and it seemed as if you’ll never escape, so she knew how it was. She laid her hand on Athena’s padded shoulder and reassured her that it was ok. Medusa was sure that he meant no harm and was just being polite. Besides Posidon was the one that gifted her those flowers earlier today and she was thankful. She never got to thank him because she’d forgotten what he’d looked like. Athena sighed and released the grip Medusa didn’t realize she’d had on him. Poseidon caught his breath and gave Medusa a very thankful look. Athena swept Medusa away and brought her over to where the concessions table was. Pouring a cup of questionable looking punch she began to rant.“Look Posidon is very deceptive he can say one thing and then go an do the complete  opposite. So be careful. If he comes up to you just say you have to go to the bathroom or something. Everytime he’s alone with a young maiden something... happens. Most people overlook this because of his relationship with Zeus, they think he’ll tattle to him and have them banished or something. Truth is only Titans or Gods bound under a pact or oath can be banished from Olympus. So, none of that is actually true. Evenstill, be on your guard little viper.”Medusa let out a grunt of agreement and grabbed a chocolate frosted cupcake to ease her craving for sugar. The distant gong rang again signaling  that it was three hours till midnight. Medusa danced and sang for what felt like forever. The nostalgic songs resonating in her mind after they were over. “Yo yo yo, ma peoples, lets get real. Just for a moment.” The DJ rapped, “Yall know what time it is, grab that partner its time for the slow dance.”Athena was immediately asked to dance by a young woman Medusa realized was Hestia. Athena apologized as she was swept away into a graceful waltz. She was abandoned there, standing there awkwardly clutching her arm. She spotted Hermes trying to course one of her sisters into dancing with him. Which they clearly weren’t into him. She let out a silent chuckle at Hermes’ stupidity and walked away from the food table.Heading towards the bench, her path was blocked by a familiar bulky figure. Poseidon towered over Medusa’s slender figure and extended his hand. She was shocked at his offer for a dance, and was advancing to decline until he spoke. “Please,” He pleaded, “At least hear me out.” Medusa sighed and urged him to continue. “I know Athena said something about me and I don’t know what it was. But I wanted to thank you for having my back there, so please, at least let me repay you with a dance.” His eyebrow furrowed, she thought to herself, he really did seem sincere.She contemplated on his offer until she finally gave in. She nodded and accepted his hand for a dance. The moment she agreed he swept her off her feet and onto the marble cracked dance floor. She didn’t have feelings for Posidon but she was enchanted by his movements, the way he gracefully swayed and led her with his hands. He hept his eyes on her alone regardless of any distraction around him. The awkward tension between the two of them only heightened his stare at her. Between twirls he slowly brought her waist closer to his. She tried her best to push away and not bother him, but his size overpowered hers.The song reached its lowpoint and he drew his face into her neck. He muttered something and she felt a light impact on her skin. Her mind shot, immediately knowing what Posidon just did.“No,” She shoved his hands away from her waist and stepped back. “I should’ve listened to Athena.” swirling he body around away from him she sought out Athena.When Athena caught sight of Medusa she immediately knew what happened. Medusa sniffled as Athena apoligized to her dane partner and rushed her way. The moment she embraced her teacher Medusa broke. Tears streamed down her flawless cheeks making her dress damp. Athena tenderly shushed her and layed her head on her shoulder she commenced her to cry until she couldn’t anymore. Medusa cried for a list of reasons. Why people only liked her for her features. Her hair, face, legs, other parts of her. How he mother was mistreating her sisters. How she thought less of her because she was mortal. How she missed the human world her true home. How all she really wanted was a person that would love her not for her looks but for her personality and for the love she had to offer. She cried because she knew as long as she was partnerless everyman would view her as a vessel for her body and for them to use. Just like Posidon was about to do. She explained all of these reasons to Athena, who was now lobster red and looked like she needed to punch something. Medusa dried her face and prayed to Zeus that she didn’t screw up her makeup. Athena however was staring down Posidon who was standing off to the side on the dance floor.“That deceitful, manipulative little..” Athena hesitated thinking of a word to describe him with. “ASSHOLE”She covered her mouth with her hand as if she’d said the most harmful insult invented. All Medusa did was nod in agreement. The song that had been playing ended and the blaring voice of the DJ blew everyones ears out.“All right, al right my party gods you know what time it is. Alright now gather ‘round. In exactaly two hours we about to witness the solstice of a malennia” The crowd reerupted with noise an cheers.Medusa gave a light clap towards the DJ’s energy. Then she saw Athena reach for something from her blazer pocket. A small green box what was ties with a glittery gold ribbon was gifted to her.“I was going to give this to you after the party..” Athena paused “but I think you could use some time to yourself.” Medusa received the package from her an untied the ribbon. The package revealed a book. Medusa let out a laugh of relief as she held up the book examining its iridescent cover. The book was The Clouds by Aristophanes. One of her favorite authors and Athena knew that from her consistent rambling of his perfect plots and story consistency. She let out a squeak of excitement and held the novel close to her chest. She’d had an interesting night and reassurance with her favorite book was just the thing that she needed.“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Medusa squeezed Athena tight. She laughed “Any time my little viper. You look like you need some time to yourself, I know your not the social kind so how about this.” Athena drew her in close and proposed a plan to her.Medusa liked her thinking and agreed to her plan. Gathering her things she waved goodbye to Athena for the time being “See you in a few hours.” Athena shouted from behind her.The plan that the two of them agree apon was that Medua would relax in the protection of her temple. It was lit with torchlight so she could still read. Then thirty minutes before midnight Athena would meet her and they would watch the peak of the moon together. Medusa trailed  along the winding path sprinkled with flowers. Their were poppies, daisies, and the occasional hyacinth. She found their beauty mesmorizing and stopped to choose a small petite one. Reaching the engraved marble steps of her temple she took a second to inhale its beauty. The pillars that were the bones of the temple towered tens of feet above her. They were carved with stories of her entire life within them. Her birth, all of her accomplishments, and her victories over past wars. Her outstanding war stragety caused her to help humans in winning their wars. Even if she was forced to disguise herself as a man to get her point across she turned the tides for many countries. Ascending the steps she wandered into the center of the temple admiring the walls lined golden tapestries; engraved with owls. She sat in the middle of the parthenon on a plaque that was going to be a 70 foot statue of her amazing self. Criss-crossing her legs she pulled the book and the poppy that she picked and began to read.The words of entraped her and she was embedded in the story. She wanted to stay here forever. In the silence. In this peace. With no one to bother her. With a story she could read for an eternity. Her eyes were getting droopy and her strength to stay awake was weakening. She wanted to sleep. She was going to sleep. Until, she was interrupted. Once again by a reocurring Posidon.  PART 5: BROKENMedusa stood up and slid the book behind her with her foot. She was skeptical on how he knew she was up here alone. As he stood there in the light of the moon his stormy eyes glew with an evil aura. “What do you want, I don’t want you here.”“I undestang but you wandered off and you know that not polite to abandon a gala like that.” He tried to argue with her but she was done with his pestering “I don’t care if its polite, I need time to myself. And I asked you to leave.Poseidon ignored her request and pranced over towards her. His polished shoes clicking on the white and gold marble. He continued until he was peering own over her their noses almost touching. All he did was eye her like she was a treat he wanted to consume. His eyes scanned her as if retaining every different inch of her body. She was starting to panic at the amount of time he was staring over her. She tried to step back but her grasped her by the arm. It hurt. She could feel his nubbed nails digging into her fair skin. “That hurts let go.” Worry flooded Medusa’s voice “Oh, it does, I can be more gentle.” his voice lowed as he advanced on her.Medusa was freaking out she never anticipated something like this was going to happen tonight. She knew that a lot of people found her attractive but she’s always managed to escape situations like this with mortals. But this time she was trapped, his hold on her was implanting on her skin. 	She continued to struggle and to step backwards to put space between the two of them. She wasn’t aware of how close she was to the steps of the plaque, and her ankle caught the edge of the step. She felt a loud pop in her foot and let out a cry of pain as she hurled towards the floor. Poseidon who still was firmly attached to her lost his balance as well and fell ontop of her. He het out a moan as he stopped himself before crushing her . 	She could feel the pain coursing through her leg and knew that she’d broken her ankle. This was a problem. Escaping would be twice as difficult and she was already having a panic attack. Posidon was atop of her and there was no legroom to be able to kick him in the gut. 	As she lie there unintentionally sprawled upon the marble Posiedon used his knee to trap her unharmed leg. With his hands he placed one back on her wrist and the other cupped her cheek. She wriggled in the hold he had on her. She was crying out for help and sobbing to any god to save her from this nightmare. 	For a split moment she met eyes with her perpetrator and saw the hunger in his eys. This entire time all he wanted from her was her beauty and nothing more. Those poppies were a lie and his kindness was an act. She’d actually thought that a man saw her for something other than her beauty. She actually gave thin the benefit of the doubt and maybe just a little bit, cared for him. She shouldn’ve listened to Athena, the goddess of literal wisdom, but she was stupid and blinded by the kindness she so dearly sought, 	As Posiedon advanced for her lips she grasped her book with the tips of her fingers and bashed him over the head with it. The affect was less than she’d hoped, this just made him more eager. Seconds passed of him looking perplexed as she finnicked for her escape. Her thought was broken by a gruesom slap across the face and a mutter of “you little brat.”	Her face prickled with the sensation of the impact and was stifled by the force of his mouth on hers. She tried to resist but her pain was too severe, she was numb from her knees down. She whimpered, tears running own her face as he slipped his tongue between her teeth.  He kissed her passionately, and she wanted in the world was for this to stop. She’d give anything, do anything, to cease her tears. Poseidon entwined his fingers in hers pressing their hands together on the floor. He laid his body closer on hers his bodyheat burning her stomach. 	He’d moved on from her mouth and to her cheeks, then ears, and neck. He stared intently at her chest as if contemplating on what to do next. Before she could catch up to what he was thinking the force her had on her wrist tightened then snap. 	Medusa’s cry in pain echoed throughout the temple and resonated back like a gong. Her wrist was pulsing like a heartbeat as she strained to lift it. She couldn’t, she remained paralyzed upon the floor. Her head began to spin and she felt like she was going to hurl. Her face grew white and her ears began ringing in a high pitched monotone. Her eyelids drooped, she felt really tired  all of the sudden. Through teary eyes she thought to herself, if she slept through this it’d be over. She relaxed. Medusa closed her eyes, but was stifled by a devious chuckle from Posiedon. She inhaled an exhaled sharply as she felt him untying the strings of her dress. She kept her eyes sealed shut because she couldn’t bare to see the look of enjoyment that he held scarred upon his face. As he slipped her beautiful greed dress down her body, he scrunched it up at her knees. The cold air of the night stung her exposed body and made bumps along her arms. At this point Medusa was panting in her pain and in the cold she felt. She took an unintentional glance at Poseidon effortlessly undressing himself. Her heartbeat began to increase, her breathing pace quickened. She knew what was coming and what was going to happen. She was scared. She’d never done this before and never intended to. Yet, here she was at a sizeable disadvantage that was triggering panic, sweat, and tears. She pleaded one last time, as if she thought it would convince him to stop.“Please, i’ll do anything just stop. I beg you.” Crystal tears rained down her somber face.Posiedon grasped his hands around her face and brought it up to his. She saw into his soul; his twisted intentions preaching back to her. His breath on her face, the heavy stench of whiskey and tobacco made her nose flair. He spoke in a low raspy voice into her ear.“You have such beautiful eyes, little viper.” Before she could respond he bit her lip. He continued to make his way down to her neck.  Kissing and nipping at her skin, forcing her to give in. Medusa let out a moan of pain as he shifted his ‘affection’ down towards her chest. He felt her and grabbed her in places no one would ever be allowed to. Choked her with his hand until she was blue. He used her, kissing her all over. Running his hands through her hair, while he whispered words she couldn’t understand. He run his tongue along her collarbone and onto her neck. Placing his hand on her hips which were way too low for comfort.The longer into the night her torture continued the more she longed for Athena. Posiedon had removed her underwear to reveal everything underneath. Now she was truly naked. Nothing was stoping him as he removed his as well. They were both there lying together body against body; their heat warming them from the freezing night. Medusa refuced to look at him at all. She kept her eyes up at the owl engraved banners prying that this would be over, while Posiedon enjoyed his feast. Swiftly. Forcefully. He directioned her face onto his and mumbled. “I want you to feel this.” He thrustedPain soared through her body, more than she’d ever experienced before. The sinful pleasure she felt made tears resurface. She knew it was happening , the forbidden that she swore to Athena she’d never do. Their bare bodies pressed against eachother, skin on skin, mouth on mouth. Poseidon manuvered around her noisily enjoying himself, and she could only lie there. Just as she was about to give in she felt something warm drip from Posiedon’s mouth to hers. She panicked thinking it was saliva or another disgusting substance, but as it drained into her throat it changed. The metallic taste of blood flowed on her tongue, as she spat the foul tase out.“Pelech.” Medusa spat. She glanced up to see Poseidon’s eyes wide and vibrating.His grip on her loosened as his weight crushed hers. She used her unharmed arm to shift his naked mass off of hers. Perplexed at what just happened she looked up to see a silver arrow puncturing out of her harasser’s back. She shook in fear, certain that she was next. Poseidon was trembling in a pool of his golden blood struggling to sit up. He glanced behind him to see who shot him and growled at the sight of them. Medusa looked up as well, and beheld the most beautiful of sights. Never dreaming she’d be happy enough to see Artemis, goddess of the Hunt. “Get the Hell away from her you foul maggot.” She shot another gleaming arrow from her bow. It hit him square in the shoulder. She knocked another arrow in, drawing the bowstring. “Move away Posiedon or it’s your heart that’s next.”Appearing behind her savior was her mentour and best friend. She sobbed at the sight of her, tears of joy and regret. Athena’s brow furrowed and her eyes began to water for one of the first times. She rushed over and embraced the broken Medusa. As she sobbed and apologized, Athena squeezed her tight and reassured her that it wasn’t her fault. “I’m sorry, its all my fault.” Medusa sniffed between cries, “I should’ve listened to you when you said not to trust him. I tries. I-i realy tried, but he broke my wrist and ankle and numbed my limbs from pain. I tried to fight back but it just encouraged him further. Her stripped me and then he- he—” She didn’t finish because she was choking on her tears. “HEY.” Athena gripped her shoulders and glared her stormy eyes into her emerald ones. “It’s NOT your fault. That sick son of a bitch should’ve kept it to himself and respected you.”“Medusa gazed into her eyes and mumbled “Athena, what about the oath.”Athena’s eyes grew wide and the color from her face faded. They both new what was going to happen, the oath that the two of them had proclaimed; and their was no stopping it. A blood pact between two people was inseperable by nature, and any minute now the banishment would occur. Artemis ran to Athena’s side just as worried as she was and asked what was wrong. Athena and Artemis exchanged a mutual look of worry to each other. Artemis covered her mouth in simultaneous shock and understanding. She must’ve known too.“Artie.” Athena broke the gaze between the two of them. “Please help clothe her, and be careful of her ankle and wrist.”Artemis nodded and gazed upon her with a sympathetic smile. She told her to relax as she picked her up effortlessly. For a short goddess she was remarkably strong, and incredibly gentle. She dressed Medusa with care and soothed her rapid heart. Guiding her into back into her dress so that she was no longer barren for the world to see. But every so often Medusa would direct her gaze to the wounded Posiedon laying unconscious upon the floor. Every time Artemis would direct that gaze back to her. Medusa could see the moon rising in the distance, she knew what was going to happen, for it had already begun. In a matter of minutes she would be banished from this place and sent to die alone at the edges of the earth. The blue hues of the moon reflected onto her skin as it began to prickle. Her body grew hot and her heart was racing like a horse.“Artemis let me go, please. I-i don’t want you to get hurt when it  happens.” Artemis respected Medusa’s wishes and backed up; she then hid herself behind one of the hanging banners. Athena had her back to Medusa and was clutching her right arm. She assumed that she also felt the prickling sensation and was trying to hold it down. Using every last ounce of her strednth Medusa stumbled onto her foot dragging herself towards Athena. “Medusa stop, you’ll hurt yourself.” Artemis shouted a warning At this Athena spun around to reveal her transforming face. Her pupils were dilated but instead of healthy pools of black they were glowing golden orbs. The veins in her face and neck were glowing, The ichor in her body was reacting to the breaking of the oath. Soon this would happen to Medusa as well, her mortal blood would glow and burn the inside of her; punishment for her actions. Once Athena was drawn head to foot in her glowing veins she would loose all control of her body and the banishment would begin. Same would occur to Medusa as her body would be automatically submissive to receiving Athena’s punishment. Medusa wrapped her arm around Athena’s shoulder as the two of them attempted to fight the curse for as long as their bodies would let them. They reassured eachother that everything would be fine and tries to enjoy the last moments of their lives together in peace. But the sorrow of reality washed overthem in a bitter wave that niether of them could overcome. This was their final night together, under the rays of the Blue Solstice moon . They laughed and cried as the burning ‘infection’ continued to spread.“Remember when we attended Hercules’ birthday,” Athena heaved gripping Medusa’s shoulder, “And Narcissus saw himself in he reflection of the punchbowl.”Medusa laughed recalling the moment, “Then Hermes ran into him, and dunked his head into the bowl. Spilling red punch all over his ivory tux.”They both laughed, painfully. Medusa began to cry as the burning bloodf burst into her legs. She collapsed. Athena let out a somber yelp as she caught Medusa in her bleeding arms. Medusa couldn’t speak she agony she felt prevented her from it. She looked once more into her golden eyes know this would be the last time she ever see them.“Look my little viper,” the worry in her voice puncture Medusa’s beating heart, “Please let me do something before I’m overtaken. Because it’s all my fault for letting you go off on your own. And I will NEVER forgive myself if anything like this happens to you again. Just know that someday that person, who love you for you and not your beauty, they’ll come along and love you in ways I never could. So please forgive me, and know that—” She paused realizing she was out of time. Their feet were lined in glowing veins, blood dripped from their eyes and mouth. They were too late, it was happening. Athena used her last breath to whisper something Medusa couldn’t hear. She then extended her delicate hand and struck her square in the forehead. Athena smiled. A smile that was out of love and regret, on that Medusa knew she would remember because it smashed her soul into dust as she made out Athena’s final words to her.“I love you Medusa.” A golden tear fell from her face.Athena arose, levitating in midair. She was unaware of her movements; she had no control. Medusa, however, was forced to watch as punishment. Forced to behold the only person to care for her like no one else did. Better then her mother or any of her sisters did, or any mortal or god alike. She watched as the wind of a million storms spiraled around them, encagin the two of them together. As Medusa was brought to her knees ready to receive her sentence she noticed one final thing. Athena was trembling.As the blow of exile released from Athena’s hand, the ground opened up. A well of eternal blackness began to engulf her. As she began to fall, the wind blew a single tear onto Medusa’s cheek. A parting gift from her friend, whom she’d never see again.PART 6: BANISHMENT Pain. All she could make out was the aching of her entire bodice. She could see the sky, make out puffs of scattered cumulonimbus clouds. She lie in a field, of sorts, the vegetation around her swayed in the gentle breeze. She couldn’t get up, nor did she want to. There was no point. Medusa knew in the back of her mind that this is where she would spend her eternity. So why take the time to get up now, when she had forever. It was at that point when she identified a faint hissing sound. It souded like snakes. She didn’t flinch. She thought to herself ‘let them come and eat me. I’m as good as dead anyway’. She waited, and waited; but no predators came to consume her. She sighed. Thinking they were too scared to eat her because of her size, she was bigger then them. Something peculiar happened once she sighed, that hissing reappeared, and she felt a hard slimy mass slither across her forehead. Her blood went cold as she met face to face with a a giant jet black snake. This freaked her out. She didn’t actually want to die she was just pretending, of course she wanted to live longer she was just joking after all. Finding the strength to move she screamed in terror trying to swipe the snake off her face. She yelped smacking the head of the reptile shouting “ get off, get off” as loud as she could. Medusa opened her eyes she didn’t realize were closed, and found two more gazing her in the eyes. They didn’t attack her. All they did was hang from the top of her head curious as to what they were coiled upon. As her heartbeat slowed she tried to lift them off her head.Her heartbeat quickened once more.Her hair it was gone. She couldn’t feel it, she couldn’t see it. Her glorious locks of hair disappeared. There was no more braiding her hair when she was nervous. No more testing new hairstyles that she loved. The one thing she was identified was gone.All that remained were the slick bodies of several large snakes. She felt along the edge of her hair line noticing they punctured from out of her scalp; the origin of where her hair once was . They entwined with eachother and constantly weaved themselves around her head. The snakes hissed and flicked their forked tongues at her, almost in respect. But the fact still remained that she was no longer human. She was a monster created by her most trusted friend, and would live out her life on this wretched island doomed to be headed with the sight of numerous little vipers.Weeks passed, miserable, eventless, and lonely. So far no one inhabited this island, why would they. She was banished; and isolation was one of many things that drives mortals insane. So, naturally, it seemed like a fitting punishment to wind up alone, eventually driving yourself to the brink of extinction. Medusa took the liberty to name each one of the creatures on her head. She seemed to understand them, and they her. Each was slightly different than the others and had their own unique traits and personalities. Truth be told, Medusa always wanted pets. She just didn’t think that getting harassed, cursed, and banished to an uninhabited island was the way to obtain them.From what she counted, there were ten total rascals posing as her hair. Lotus was the smallest and the most timid. It took several attempts of affection before she even allowed Medusa to touch her. Then their was Shoko who was quite the opposite, he was constantly in her face trying to see what she saw. Shoko was like that stray strand of hair you could never fully tame. He was always there to bother her at the most inconvenient of times. Then their was Fange. Although he looked average to all the other vipers, his singular fang he mysteriously lost helped her discern him from the rest. There were two vipers who Medusa was sure had to be twins. They were the only two snakes that had opposing blue eyes. Whenever they slithered upon her head the somehow managed to tangle themselves in eachother. She couldn’t recall how many times she’d heard light gagging from above her as they were choking eachother. These two mischiefs were called Koppig and Khandit.For several days she thought these were the only five that inhabited her head. But soon she noticed that several were hidden in the bodies of others and they acted and felt unusual to the others. One she accidently scratched across the face with her nail. This left a memorable scar so Medusa named her Ouli. Another who was quite the pushover she called Lupa for their kind and compassionate heart. Another had a remarkable spot stretching from its its left eye to its back, this was Grayson. Their was Cucumber who resembled a similar shade of green in the light of the sun. She also had several bumps on her head that were discernible even without sight. Then there Kou, whos hiss sounded less like a hiss and the coo of a newborn child. This cracked Medusa up and she was obligated to name him this. Since she was the only inhibitant she had no need for clothes. So for the majority of the time she would limp around barren and naked. As for her broken limbs they were strangely healed once she awoke on the island. Either Athena healed them, or it was part of the unpredictable oath magic. The island itself was beautiful. If someone would’ve told Medusa that she’d eventually be banished to the ends of the earth she wouldn’t have thought I’d look like this. The island was built of three layered mountains that towered over her into the skies, She woke in the fields of wild hibiscus flowers, which she notices produced sweet sap that she found to be a lovely snack. There were several other trees that harbored tropical fruits that she discovered. The majority of the forest’s vegetations was forests that held palm trees, banana trees, coconut trees, and hundreds she couldn’t identify. She’d occasionally see a dragonfruit or mango tree, but nothing too out of the ordinary. Once the forest ended the beached began. Stretching for what seemed like miles the soft white sand warmed her feet when she ran. Shells abandoned by their previous holders were hidden in the depths of the sand. Medusa found the hobby of uncovering and kepping the most unique shells she’d ever seen. The waters that coasted her prison were cool and clear. They lapped against her ankles as she stood in them. She’d stand in the shallow of the water for hours thinking. . .crying. She never found the crashing of waves to be soothing but on this island they were different. When she found comfort under the shade of a banana tree, there was no better noise than the rhythm of the water. Every new day she awoke on the island she strived to explore a little further into the unknown. Once she’d discovered a quaint little pond that held smooth stones in its waters. Medusa made little traveler’s towers with the rocks to indicate that she’d traveled this way. No matter how far into this island she traveled she still found no inhabitants, no animals, or insects. The only organism she had were the ten vipers that had embedded themselves into her. Medusa often felt recurring loneliness. She had no one to talk to, or to vent to about toubles she had. This was all in the package of isolated banishment, but she was not going to let it get to her. To cope with her sadness she would talk to her snakes. Sure they couldn’t determine what she was saying but she still felt like they understood her pain. Most of the time, when all the other snakes had coiled up together and were asleep she would talk one on one with Shoko. His love for invading her space made him a good source of venting. Medusa would talk to him late into the night about anything she pleased. Sometimes she’d let him rest in her hand or lick her face with his little tongue. She didn’t care for favorites but she did have a special connection with Shoko that she didn’t have with the others. Soon enough she enjoyed the times he occupied her line of sight. They reminded her that she wasn’t truly alone even if she felt that way.“Am I wonder how mom and my sisters are doing,” Medusa proclaimed while biting into a mango. “I mean they weren’t there when it happened so for all I know their either unaware or worried sick. Probable the ladder.” She sighed as she took another bite, the sweet juices dripping off her chin. Shoko hissed into hear ear, his ribbon tongue tickling her. “Shoko stop.” She laughed as she brushed him aside. She still wondered about the reactions of everyone on Olympus about the whole oath fiasco. Knowing enough about the people up there word got around quick. It spread like an unhealthy disease, and soon enough everyone would know about it. Hermes, Stheno, Euryale, and her mother definitely have it out for Posiedon it they ever find out what he did. “ And guarantee that Zeus will side with his brother nd try to hush it all up.” She murmured to herself. “Welp its not like I can do anything about it.” She shrugged off the topic and brought herself to her feet. She held up the half-eaten mango in the air and her snakes immediately eyed it. Medusa had developed a fun game with her snaked on eating. She jammed her fingers into the fruit tearing off a chunk of its flesh and chucking it into the air. She immediately felt a tugging as all ten vipers jolted towards the food. She never knows who wins but she can hear hisses of anger and disgust as they recoil and wait for the next piece. When the fruit is all gone she allows them to lick her fingers dry. This gives some of the snakes who didn’t get a portion to recieve a little of the fun. Medusa still doesn’t know if the snakes feed off her nutrients or require their own. Since their are no mice or bugs on the island all of them are solely vegetarian. She wipes her damp hands on her waist and move forward.Medusa has seen so much of the island and taken in every inch of its beauty. And their is still so much she has yet to discover. She’s developed a keed sense of time and of direction, which help in the navigation of the seemingly endless jungle. One blazing afternoon, she was so hot even the trees didn’t cover her. She had her dress from the gala from distant months ago. By now it was tattered and caked in dirt and leaves. She tried to wash the grime off her dress in a rushing river but that only did so much. Medusa accepted the fact that some clothes were better than being buck naked. Her fair skin began to burn and grow red. She swore“I need to find better shade.”Medusa navigated inward towards the larger of the three mountains. This was was blooming with brush and foliage, but it didn’t have nearly as much vegetation as the other three mountains. She weaver herself through hanging vines and moss that had overgrown from time. Medusa had no set goal, she just hoped one of these hays she’d find someone—or something— that would somehow benefit her in her eternity on this island. She spoted a path up ahead that seemed to be laden in cobblestone. An unusual sight for a supposed abandoned island. She climbed up the coarse terrace trying not to damage her dress any further. Once she reached the path she’d spotted, her snaked started acting up. They’ed never done this before, and it made her awfully curious.“What is it?” she perked up her head so they could see, “What is it you guys smell”	Some of the snakes started tugging on her scalp causing the skin on her face to stretch. She guided her head in the direction of their movements so they sould sniff and forward what they found. Medusa moved along the path, being cautious for any potential harm. Fange hissed aloud telling her their was something aling this path. 	She quickened her pace	Something was near and she was determined to find out what. Eventhough she was watching her back, she wasn’t watching her feet. Right before the path took an unpredicted turn, Medusa wedged her foot between the roots of an overgrown tree. She felt her foot scrape against the bark as she plummeted towards the ground. She lost her balance and her foot’s hold between the bark loosened and she went flying off the side of a cliff	Tumbling down the side of a mountain hurt a lot more than she’d anticipated. She grazed her skin on every loose branch, twig, and thorn there was; barely missing the endpoint of a broken tree. When she reeched the bottom of her fall she lie there in disarray.	“Why do I have a nack for getting hurt in the worst possible ways.” She spoke to herself	She felt around her head to see if any of her snakes had gotten severely injured, None. Thankfully their scales protected them from the majoroty of the fall. Medusa, on the other hand, not so much. Her knees were bashed up, she had a sizeable gash on her forearm from some misplaced branch, and her skin stung from several heated grass burns. Crimson blood ran rivers down her limbs, and she knew she’d hsve to cease it somehow. She groaned lazily as she tried to get up. Using a nearby leaf she patted the abrasions dry until the bled no more.	“You guys alright,” She asled her friends, they hissed in agreement. “And where the heck am I”	“ I don’t remember this part of the island. How far down did I fall.”Medusa examined her new environment, seeing there was less sun then where she was before and more flat terrain. She limped on the soggy forest ground trying to identigy any key land marks. Nothing. She assumed this was the backside of one of the three main mountains which was why this was so unfamiliar.She barely started walking before she detected a quaint little cave at the foot of the mountain. Her spirits raised as she raced over in its direction. Silently thanking the gods she touched the smooth walls of the enterance. Glancing inside what she was thinking about making her home, she realized she was deceived.Where their should’ve been darkness and miles of stalagmites was light. Fire. Made by man and an entire village hidden in the folds of this mountain. The cave opened up into a vast underside that was illuminated by life and the unseen side of a waterfall.  Breathless. She couldn’t even describe her emotions on seeing an entire civilization thats been hidden under her nose for months. Adrenaline surged through her body, making her chest beat in anticipation. She staggered across uneven rocks until she was presented by another flight of questionable stairs. This time the cliff was noticeable and dropped a good thirty feet below her. Insuring not to plumett to her certain death she cautiously made her way down the steps. When she safely arrived at the bottom she was met by a surprising amount of weeds. They covered the path she planned on taking towards the village. She cursed under her breath. She stood pondering for a moment on how she would reach this town. Her dream was at the tips of her fingers and she was being stopped by some petty brush. She decided that she would push through it regardless if it cut her more.She went for it. Squirming her way through grunting at the tangles in her clothes. Her hand got caught on a bramble as it tore her palm. She let out a silent yelp as she cradled her injury.“Just a bit further, comm’on.” She encouraged herself.Emerging from the thicket she felt victorious, as if she’d slayed the mightiest of dragons. Her victory was seldom spent as she saw her dress was in even bigger tatters. Medusa tried to even out the fabric but it did little work.	“Crap, now I’m going to have to—” Her sentence dropped dead as she noticed him.	A man, the first living mammal she’d seen since she plummeted back to earth. His back faced her so she couldn’t see his face, but she made out his character. He looked in his late twenties, with the silkiest black hair she’d ever seen. He had a fitting build with broad shoulders and a slender back. He was shirtless, which made her want to gag, but wore finely weaved trousers that were embroidered with intricate patterns around the cuffs.	She approached this strager with novelty, hoping to see the structure of his face. Stretching her soiled hand, she nudge him on the back. This captured his attention, and he turned. 	She barely got a look at his face, for when their eyes met a dismal reaction occurred. The snakes upon her head fanned out like a peacocks feathers, baring their predatorious fangs. Their eyes shot from a livley green to a vile shade of red, as if triggered by the sight of his eyes. As this stranger gaped at her green irises he froze. His toned body stopped breathing, it grew cold. Where once stood a living breathing human being was now a statue. An intricate piece made of solid stone.PART 7: HEART OF STONE	A panic attack overtook her faster than  blink of an eye. What just happened made her stomach want to turn itself inside out. She felt a stone in her throat that was pushing its way to the surface. She grew nauseous at the sight of the petrified man.She vomited. She looked at her hands which were shaking in confusement and fear. She just turned a person into stone. He wasn’t breathing, he was. . .no. Their was no way that’s true; how could it be. Everythings fine, everthings fine, everthings fine. He mind was splitting in two. Was this real, was all of this actually happening. What if this was a long toxic dream that she refused to wake up from. Yeah. That has to be it, their was no other explanation why she would just look at a person and kill them. 	“It’s all a dream, It’s all a dream,” Medusa groped her arms, “I’ll wake any moment now. I have to. It’s all a dream , it’s all a dream.” 	Anxiety overtook her mind as she began to tremble, and the tears began to fall. She was sent spiraling into a fit of uncomprehension. She clawed at her skin with her untrimmed nails and contemplated the true purpose of her life on the island. When she thought she’d come to a solution her mind would race back to her safe thought. That this was all a nightmare that she would eventually wake up from, even if it killed her. 	“I have to wake up, its all just a dream.” She psychotically whispered to herself 	Medusa was overtook with urges she couldn’t explain. She attempted to claw at the creatures on her head thinking if they all died then she’d get her hair back. She clawed at them like a demonous cat as they vigorously avoided her nails. 	“JUST DIE,” She sobbed aloud, “I WANT MY LIFE BACK PLEASE. ALL IT TAKES IS FOR YOU TO DIE.”	Medusa’s shock made her weak, and it didn’t take long for her to wear herself out. She strived to aim for the heads of the snakes, but she couldn’t see through the tears in her eyes. After straining her muscles past their limit she collapsed in a messon the ground, 	“I’M SORRY.” She apologized repeatedly to her snakes who seemed to understand her dilemma. “I just can’t wrap my head around the fact that I— I just—” She couldn’t bring herself to admit the horrible thing she’d just done.	Just as she was being sent into another uncontrolled spiral her snakes did something that she’d never expected. They made a cage- like shape around her head and all began to hiss. Hisses of  comfort and kindness rather than of warning. She began to relax. Her fists unclenching from their hold, her breathing steadied itself. She listened.	She knew each of her snakes hisses by heart. Every minor pitch and difference, together they made a harmony of sounds only she could comprehend. Before long she’d calmed down and had her head screwed on right. She sighed in relief, then wrapped her hands aroud her head trying the embrace her snakes in what was probably the akwardest hud of all time. They understood and entwined themselves up her wrists and inbetween her fingers. 	Then she heard a snap of a twig in the distance. Her moment ceased. Her snakes retracted in fear. Glancing behind her she cautiously looked at the ground. If she truly had the ability to petrify a person then looked at the ground was the safest play. Turning her body in the direction of this unseen stranger, she muttered a greeting under her breath.	“What are you,” The stranger stated “A demon from the underworld, a hellish reincarnation?”	The voice was of a woman, she couldn’t detect her age from her voice. She pondered the question she asked her. She didn’t know what she was. Could she even classify herself as mortal anymore. With these serpents as her hair she didn’t appear human. Not to her or any other mortal on this island. 	“Answer me demon.” The woman urged her to answer	“I–I don’t know.”	“ How can you not know, are you possessing a human, is one of out people your vessel?”	“What? No” 	“Then look at me. Let me judge for myself.”	“I cant” She mumbled 	The woman slammed a wooden rod on the dirt ground; probably a weapon she held. Demanding her to answer she pleaded again saying she was unable to. The snakes were becoming agitated at her inconvenience and hissing lounder than before. The woman thumped her weapon once more yelling and drawing attention to the situation. 	She knew the woman would resort to violence if she didn’t obey her commands. But she wouldn’t petrify another pure soul; it would send her into a spiral of madness. So, she did the safest action she cound think of. She nocked her head up towards the stranger, but kept her eyes shut tight. She couldn’t see the stranger but could feel her breath against her face. She smelt good, like coconut and honeydew. If this woman wasn’t wielding a weapon she would’ve felt in the presance of a godess. 	“Are you playing dumb with me demon. Look at me dead in the eye I won’t ask again.” She felt a tip of metal poke against her throat. The feeling was painfully familiar.	Medusa knew the consequences for opening her eyes. She whispered an apology under her breath to the stranger before her. They were surprised at her remark, but it was too late. The second the stranger locked eyes with her they were gone. In that split millisecond she had to examine the stranger, she was enveloped in her beauty. 	The stranger’s fair brown skin was the color of meted chocolate. Her hair just as silky and mesmorizing as that man’s. Her nearly identical features made her resemble a princess. Her eyes. A fiery golden color that corresponded with her emerald green eyes. A tear strug down her face, in sadness, that she had to kill sutch a beautiful mortal.	Once her transition was done she gazed upon the pertified angel. She died holding a spear to the throat of a monster. There was no doubt that this woman had a love, a family, and friends. A whole life hidden in this breathtaking cave; and she stifled that with just a gaze into her eyes.	She touched the poor woman’s face, then heard a shout. “Who’s there. Show yourself.”	She couldn’t take this anymore, she’d killed more people in a day than she had in a lifetime. As the voices drew nearer and nearer she yelped a sound of warning. She knew it was impossible for them to listen, so she did what she knew best. Run.	She hastily ran along the cost of a lake that ran throughout the cavern. Just as she had enough distance for an escape she slipped on the moist sand. She collapsed in a heap of sand that stuck to her body like glue. The strangers were approaching faster than she anticipated, and the gears in her mind weren’t turning fast enough. One by one they noticed her, then her face, then her eyes. One by one they all petrified themselves till there was no breathing life on the beach but herself. 	She silenced a scream of hurt. The stone in her throat was expanding with every person that she saw. “Why, why, why,why.” Her voice cracked in pain, “The second I find life on this bloody island, I can’t even look at them. I searched for months to see how alone I really was, and this is my reward.” She screamed. So loud and full of grief Hades could hear it from his throne below. Medusa was finished. She grieved for all the pain she’d felt and caused for others. She knew deep down in her heart that ridding herself from this life would be beneficial for everyone. She could end it there and then. With the disarmed weapons in the sand, slitting her throat was eaier than talking. 	She couldn’t, not yet at least, for their was something more important she had to do. Drying her face from tears she picked herself up and headed towards the stairs. Her bare feet squished in the sand creating landmarks from where she’d been. Her peace was inturrupted by the growling of dogs.	They snuck up at her baring their fangs. They weren’t rabid, but they were definitely aggressive due to the foam that frothed off their mouths. These big black dogs were thin—underfed— and their ribs and backbones were defined when they hunched for an attack. She realized that they weren’t looking at her but at the snakes on her head. On instinct she whistled, drawing their attention to her face for a split second. That’s all she needed, and they were gone. Gazing upon the the hardened mutts she felt the stone in her throat grow. Medusa felt as if her air supply was slowly weining out, like she had a limited amount of life left in her.	“YOU THERE, THE UNHOLY, STAY WHERE YOU ARE.” A voice behind her shouted. She knew she had a terrible power but she thought unholy was a bit of a stretch. She’d clearly missed a person when she was fleeing for her life. 	“I’m not unholy, so would you ple—” A stone tipped spear slit the side of her face. The fine cut began to bleed a faded ruby color. Between this gash and her banged up knees and arm, she didn’t want to loose more blood. She was nausious already, and didn’t want to wait around for other symptoms to start. 	The surviving man swore as he’d missed her face, and began to arm himself with another fallen weapon. This time it was a sharp fishing harpoon that her weilded. She ran.	The traction her feet held with the sand was an unhlpful disadvantage. She couldn’t run towards the stairs, the stranger would catch her. She she pursued onward towards the dreaded village. PART 7: MEETING	Humans really were relentless. They never stopped until they got what they wanted, and received their perfect victory. One thing she’d learned from the mortals on Earth was their solution to everything; to kill or destroy it. The man chasing her currently was the perfect depicton of this. 	He continued to pursue her, throwing the weapons of his pertafied breathren at her. He never missed. This stranger was a clear shooter, and it showed by the severe amount of wounds that tatooed her body. 	As she entered the main plaza she was greeted by the overwhelming blaze of torchlight. The man continued to tail her until she was in the dead center of the town. He stopped, and then began to shout. He spoke in an unidentifyable language, but it sounded as if he was warning the people about something. Me.	Windows of the houses shuttered open and gazed upon her. She gazed at the pebble stone ground and covered her ears. The deafening sound of shouting and overlapping conversations made her head hurt.  She could hear the sound of them readying their weapons. Sounded like crossbows or harpoons, she heard the clicks of the arrows nocking into the capsul. 	“This is it,” She told herself, “I die here.”		“You know you have the power, Master.” Ouli tempted in her ear “And we have the ability to wipe these people out with a single glance.”	Medusa was so caught up in her fear that she couldn’t think properly. All she wanted to do was die, but she didn’t think I’d be like this. Maybe it was better that she was gone, and these people would know that they slayed the saddest of living beings. 	Lifting her head to the heavens she said whispered “I’m ready, Athena” She sighed waiting for the men to shoot. Simoltaneously she listened to the release of the arrows and harpoons. She knew they were coming, she didn’t care. She knew she was bound to die a dismal mortal death, might as well be now.	Schwoop	The weapons all clattered to the floor. The piercing tips crumbled like dust. No pain filled her body, no blood excreted from her skin. Her snakes were unharmed as well, they appered to be just as perplexed as she was. The cave villagers were stunned at whatever mystic magic this was. They launched their weapons agin; this time she stared them directally in the face .With wach glance at their eyes another bodytransformed; lifeless. Medusa heard a release from behind her, an arrow from the shieth of a crossbow. She was unable to turn in time and the arrow would’ve killed her. However, where the tip should’ve impcted her skin there was a ricochet and a faint buzzing. A green wave of energy swept over her. Clattering the arrow to the ground. Medus felt a surge of electricity flow through her veins as the mysterious green wave receded. 	Everyone present stared in awe at what just happened. They couldn’t behold that she was protected by what appeared to be magic.	“DEMON WITCH.” A woman screamed	In a flurry there was pounding conversations that overtook her mind. Screaming and yelling of commands. Ordering to go here and get this or that. She couldn’t have a line of thought with the racket around her. The agitated villagers continued to fire weapons at her, each deflected as if it was made of sand. There was nothing they could do to stop her, no matter what they tried. 	From the depths of the rumbling crowd she heard a light yelling. Someone ordering everyone to alm down and relax. This tone was inaudible to all of the panicked people, but she heard their cry and it melted her heart. Maybe this stranger would help her escape from this chaos. She followed their voice like a man to a siren call. Calming her from the world around her, the softness and delicacy was music to her ears. 	Emerging from a bind of two young adults who ran away in terror, she came face to face with her godess. A woman around her age, who had long straight strawberry blonde hair, it flowed down her back like a waterfall and perfectly framed her face. With skin as perfect as the sand, she looked like a greek statue carved to utter perfection. Their wasn’t a single blemish on her body and not a feature out of place. She didn’t even seem real. An thats what Medusa believed. 	She was going crazy she thought. She was so shocked at this life or death situation that she was beginning to hallucinate of hot women. She tried to snap herself of this very vivid daydream. Turning away from the beautiful creature she emerged back into the menace.	“WAIT, WAAAAIT.” The angelic voice called again, “PLEASE, STOP, I KNOW YOU’RE SCARED.” 	Medusa obeyed	Standing frozen and unable to move she waited. She wanted to run and flee while this village was in a panick but she couldn’t not with some unknown force preventing her from moving. Then she felt a light touch.	Something grasped her shoulder stopping her thoughts. She didn’t even have to turn around to know exactly who this was. The angelic woman whose hands felt like a blessing to be touching. She felt her arms until she found her shoulders. She didn't look her in the eyes, she knew. Gazing aside at the ground she spoke.	“I apologize for my people they can’t compreheld the unusual and bizarre. They flee at anything that frightens them.”	“These scars say otherwise.” Medusa mumbled. 	The woman kept her eyes fixated on the dirt, but released a heart stopping smile. Medusa’s face felt uncomfortably warm all of the sudden, and she didn’t like it. This young woman was making her feel fuzzy inside. Her heart felt heavy but she has a swarm of butterflies in her stomach. This nervous feeling of suddenly wanting to impress this person took over. She took the woman aside infront of a torch-lit home. The woman felt her way around with her hands a if she was trying to identify her area.	“Okay, I need you to listen.” She was firm in her commands but they had a hint of kindness to them. “See that well over there.” She pointed right	Their was nothing “Uhh, no.”	“Oh, I mean over there.” She pointed the other direction	Medusa caught eye of where she was motioning to and nodded. It sat utop a hill with a cobblestone path curving its way up to meet it. The woman felt for her shoulders once more, but this time she slid her hands up her neck and cupped her face. 	Medusa suddenly got a painful flashback. It hurt, but she had to stay focused. The woman, still avoiding her eyes told her to guide her up the hill and ring the bell.	Medusa didn’t know the scary motive of this girl but she didn’t like it. But she knew that if she were ever to get out of the situation alive she was going to have to trust her. The began to swerve their way through all the people. Almost tripping over a hopefully unconscious body, she began to ascent the path. The entire way up the woman held onto her arm ah she guided her up. She wanted to see what was wrong why she was intent on touching her so prominently. She was a complete stranger to her. And a snake-haired one at that. 	Releasing her hold on the woman she made her wat over to the well. Its pitch-black hole probably fell for miles. Turning to the stranger she reassured her of her job. Nodding in agreement the woman turned her head. 	“NO” Medusa thought. She couldn’t look away in time, and she knew what was going to happen. This woman would actually become a statue. In less than a second this mortal, who she might have briefly caught feelings for, would be gone. She gazed upon her, their eyes locked, theyfroze, and then she smiled.	Nothing	No reaction.	No scream of utter fear.	Her snakes didn’t flare up, They recoiled and relaxed.	Medusa took in her eyes, the one feature of this mortal that was slightly unusual. Her eyes, which she predicted would’ve been blue, were faded. White as frosty snow. Like the milky eyes of her vipers upon her head. She realized within the milisecond.	She was blind.PART 7: LOVERS	It all made sense, the reason why she was immune to the petrification. Why she had to feel her surroundings, and why she never was constantly gazing down. She felt a spiritual connection to this woman when se discovered that she too had something “different” about her. 	She knew the woman couldn’t see her agreement but she tapped her twice on the arm to show she understood. The woman turned away and towards the panicking village. Her eyes were somber eventhough the sights of her people weren’t visible to her. It hurt her to have to see the people she cared about in a panic over something as silly as her. Medusa watched in despair at the woman for what seemed like an eternity until she remembered the job she was instructed to do. 	Grasping the hoarse rope, she tugged on it releasing a deafening resonation. After three rings the panic settled among the people. They eventually ceased their chatter and perked up their heads like little gophers. She rested her hand on the woman’s shoulder telling her that she was ready. 	The womans eyes darted in several directions trying to identify the direction of the village. Medusa didn’t know how to help, except directioning her hand towards the people. This startled her almost to the point of tears, but she was thankful for it. 	When she began to speak Medusa got chills of excitement along her spine. She was in awe at how someone so beautiful could get her so easily flabbergasted. Medusa was unable to gaze into the eyes of the people so she kept her heart set on the woman beside her. 	“This woman is not a threat to our people.” The woman shouted, “She comes in peace and didn’t mean to harm any of us.	“You spit lies child,” A fat bearded man shouted from below them	“Yeah she turned my husband to stone.” A woman sobbed	“And single-handedly defeated our entire line of protection.” Another shouted	“We only have a 10 man defense,” She protested, “An besides shouldn’t that show you that she isn’t to be meddled with. That their is now way you can defeat her when she weilds an incredible power. You saw it yourself. I know I couldn’t, but from the hardened people and the weird screams of terror I could tell. I heard the wave of mystic energy the flooded through the village. She’d untouchable and can’t be defeated, so why try.”	From the silence of the crowd came a screaming woman. She didn’t want to see what she looked like. But from the sound of it she sonded like this womans Mother. 	“UZURI, GET AWAY FROM THAT MONSTER.” She shouted up towards us.	“I’m so sorry,” Uzuri winced	From assumption of her reaction to the woman’s voice, it was her mother. She briefly apologized again then turned back to the people. “This woman means no harm. From my brief interaction with her I’ve realized that she is similar to I.”“No no she isn’t,” Uzuri’s mother complained, “She killed half our village, and has serpents for hair. A living carnation of a devil’s spawn.”“A simple misstep, none of you realized that she was scared as well. In a panic of her newfound ability she was afraid.” Uzuri kept on defending her regardless of the oppositions that the village came up with. The heat on Medusa’s face slowly grew hotter by the minute. She felt an unfamiliar lump in her stomach and a sudden longing to grow closter to Uzuri. As she continued to speak in defend Medusa in loving honor she began to question Uzuri’s intentions. What even drew her to wanting to suddenly defend a stranger she didn’t even know. Stopping her in her ranting, Medusa turned Uzuri towards her and said “Why are you doing this? You don’t even know me I don’t even know you. And no offense nothing that you say will convince these people that I’m harmless.”Uzuri sighed, “The reason I help you is because you’re the first person who’s like me.”“Ok so?” Medusa ruines the sentimental moment “Devil of unknown origin,” A plump olive skinned man emerged from the parting crowd. “What unfaithful business do you have here?”Medusa broke her contact with Uzumi and gaxed at the waterfall in the far distance. She wouldn’t look this leader in the eyes but she knew in order to stay alive she had to face them at some point. “I have no business with you or your people. I was banished here and cursed with a head of vipers by the goddess Athena herself.” Murmurs scattered amongst the crowd, “I know I harmed your people, and nothing I say or do will attone to that. But I've been on this island for months and I assumed their was no sign of life. So when I found people, actual mortal lives I was overjoyed. I didn’t know of the power I possess; and it  shocked me just as much as you. I know I seem a threat to your people so if you would like to kill me, do as you must.” Medusa paused breathing in the harsh reality of her situation. She turned until her back was to the crowd and began to descend the hill. Then she felt the painful grasp of Uzuri’s hand around her arm. “This poor woman’s endured enough don’t you think that we should spare her.” Uzuri hesitated for a moment contemplating the right next move. “Punish me as well. If you’re going to make her endure the rest of her life on her own; I want her to have someone to endure it with her. So whatever you decide, I will do as well.”		The villagers began to fuss over the idea of their blind village girl spending the rest of her days alone with Medusa. Audibly everyone was opposed to it, Her mother especially was screaming at the village leader to deny her request. But Medusa could tell that he was deeply considering it. He soon rose his hand in decision and pronounced his proclamation. 	“Uzuri Otamak, if it is your wish to accompany this creature in her journey through life so be it. However, you know the creed of our people and understand that if anyone is to forfeit their place amongst this village they won’t be permitted to return. It is your life and therefore you’re decision, but you must honor the creed and never set foot her again.”	This shook Uzuri more than Medusa thought it woul. Obviously she shouldn’t do it, their was no way that she would allow another person to give up their life for her. She seized Uzuri by the hand and pleaded with her not to even consider it. She didn’t meet her eyes and took slow shaky breaths. Medusa knew she was considering the decision, and pleaded with her again saying how she didn’t even know her. 	“You know nothing about me and I don’t know anything about you, you can’t just throw away your normal life just to spend it with a stranger. Thats absurd and out of the question.”	“No,”Uzuri chuckled, “Like our leader said, it is my life so it becomes my choice.”	Turning to the crowd she bluntly announced that she’d made her final decision 	“I choose to spend the remainder of my days with this woman. Shall I regret my decision I won’t return to this place and forge my life on the outside.”	“THAN IT IS DECIDED.” their leader shouted, receding back into the mob of people.	Cries of disagreement and sorrow emitted from below as the mass slowly dispersed. Medusa still in shock at the decision just made began to question a number of different things. She immediately overwhelmed Uzuri with questions and complaints that she had.	“Shut it, I don’t want to hear any of your pity on me.” She tried to stare at where her eys would be, “I can tell your special no question about it, and thats al the reasoning I need. 

# data[].attributes.headline
Uzuri shuffled over closter to Medusa and brushed her hand along her wrist. She flinched, painful memories rushing through her brain. She wanted to cry remembering it all. The pain she felt from leaving her family, leaving Athena. Knowing that the last conversation she had with her mother was a stupid argument.                                   She wished she could take it all back. All the harmful things she said to her mom and sisters. The pointless arguments they'd have over the most pointless of topics. Why couldn't she have said that she loved her family and visited when they asked her to. Rather than staying out in this horrid mortal world.               Uzuri noticed Medusa's reaction to her touch and apologized. It wasn't her fault she didn't know anything personal about her. She decided then and there that if the two of them were to live out their mortal lives together that might as well know everything about one another.               "Uzuri, tell me something." She began, "But something that you've never confessed to anyone."              Uzuri was hesitant, of course she wouldn't tell her something that personal they just met that day. However she surprised her by telling her something she didn't expect.         "See this," she lifted her dress to reveal a large scar the size of a pencil below her bellybutton. "Several years ago when I was about 15 there were two foreigners that got shipwrecked on our island. They didn't have food or money. Thankfully the island provided them with enough food. They also explored the island for more Information and stumbled upon us. They humbled themselves and worked in our farms in exchange for food and shelter. No one thought anything of it until one of the men met me. They found me beautiful—"       "Who hasn't," Medusa mumbled. Uzuri chuckled and resumed her story        "The stranger knew what he wanted and wouldn't let anyone talk him out of it. His partner kept telling him that it was wrong and if he ever went through with it then he'd be a dead man. He still persisted. Late one night he broke into my room and forced himself into me." She paused, Medusa felt tears land on her arm. Medusa said she didn't have to finish but Uzuri stubbornly continued.     "He did things to me that I feel ashamed of. And throughout the entire time I couldn't see anything, just pain muted by his hand. I don't know how much time went by but I managed to free my hand. I took a rock crystal and rammed it into his head. I don't know if he was unconscious or not but it didn't matter because I beat him with that rock until I was sure he wasn't breathing."      There was a deadly silence that stung. She didn't know she was capable of killing  a grown man. Medusa felt slightly powerless that she couldn't manage to fight off Poseidon. Medusa apologized for her pain but she joked that that wasn't the worst of it.       "This scar is the painful aftermath of that whole fiasco. Even though I killed him the damage had been done. He'd managed to impregnate me and curse a child with a child. We didn't discover this until three months later. Only my mother knew about it, and we Intended to keep it that way. So we waited until the child got big enough to cleanly discarded of. Four months later we forced the child out of my stomach it was too early like we planned so the child didn't survive. But the incision left this scar. Sometimes I still cry over it all these years later. I killed a living human being and it killed me."        Medusa did t have words to say. Her lips were dry and ridden of thought. She knew the pain she was feeling and she knew hers. They'd both been used for the way that they looked. Their beauty cloaked their kind hearts and prevented people from getting to know them.       When enough silence had passed  Medusa blurted out the first thought on her mind. "Men suck"        Uzuri laughed in agreement and asked what happened to her that she thought that.         Medusa briefly explained her traumatic situation and Uzuri felt sad for her. Medusa also explained that's why she was hesitant on Uzuri touching her wrists. She obviously understood and apologized again.         " You know what we should do? We should forget men and jerkass god's altogether. Just live our free lives you and me." Medusa squinted I to the dark to make out Uzuri perfectly framed face. Sheroares in agreement shouting "NO MORE MEN" I to the dead of night. Medusa laughed lightly and joined her. They shouted I to the night and up at the stars. They were free birds of a feather and their was no force in the universe that could stop them.❤️❤️❤️

# data[].attributes.subject
Uzuri shuffled over closter to Medusa and brushed her hand along her wrist. She flinched, painful memories rushing through her brain. She wanted to cry remembering it all. The pain she felt from leaving her family, leaving Athena. Knowing that the last conversation she had with her mother was a stupid argument.                                   She wished she could take it all back. All the harmful things she said to her mom and sisters. The pointless arguments they'd have over the most pointless of topics. Why couldn't she have said that she loved her family and visited when they asked her to. Rather than staying out in this horrid mortal world.               Uzuri noticed Medusa's reaction to her touch and apologized. It wasn't her fault she didn't know anything personal about her. She decided then and there that if the two of them were to live out their mortal lives together that might as well know everything about one another.               "Uzuri, tell me something." She began, "But something that you've never confessed to anyone."              Uzuri was hesitant, of course she wouldn't tell her something that personal they just met that day. However she surprised her by telling her something she didn't expect.         "See this," she lifted her dress to reveal a large scar the size of a pencil below her bellybutton. "Several years ago when I was about 15 there were two foreigners that got shipwrecked on our island. They didn't have food or money. Thankfully the island provided them with enough food. They also explored the island for more Information and stumbled upon us. They humbled themselves and worked in our farms in exchange for food and shelter. No one thought anything of it until one of the men met me. They found me beautiful—"       "Who hasn't," Medusa mumbled. Uzuri chuckled and resumed her story        "The stranger knew what he wanted and wouldn't let anyone talk him out of it. His partner kept telling him that it was wrong and if he ever went through with it then he'd be a dead man. He still persisted. Late one night he broke into my room and forced himself into me." She paused, Medusa felt tears land on her arm. Medusa said she didn't have to finish but Uzuri stubbornly continued.     "He did things to me that I feel ashamed of. And throughout the entire time I couldn't see anything, just pain muted by his hand. I don't know how much time went by but I managed to free my hand. I took a rock crystal and rammed it into his head. I don't know if he was unconscious or not but it didn't matter because I beat him with that rock until I was sure he wasn't breathing."      There was a deadly silence that stung. She didn't know she was capable of killing  a grown man. Medusa felt slightly powerless that she couldn't manage to fight off Poseidon. Medusa apologized for her pain but she joked that that wasn't the worst of it.       "This scar is the painful aftermath of that whole fiasco. Even though I killed him the damage had been done. He'd managed to impregnate me and curse a child with a child. We didn't discover this until three months later. Only my mother knew about it, and we Intended to keep it that way. So we waited until the child got big enough to cleanly discarded of. Four months later we forced the child out of my stomach it was too early like we planned so the child didn't survive. But the incision left this scar. Sometimes I still cry over it all these years later. I killed a living human being and it killed me."        Medusa did t have words to say. Her lips were dry and ridden of thought. She knew the pain she was feeling and she knew hers. They'd both been used for the way that they looked. Their beauty cloaked their kind hearts and prevented people from getting to know them.       When enough silence had passed  Medusa blurted out the first thought on her mind. "Men suck"        Uzuri laughed in agreement and asked what happened to her that she thought that.         Medusa briefly explained her traumatic situation and Uzuri felt sad for her. Medusa also explained that's why she was hesitant on Uzuri touching her wrists. She obviously understood and apologized again.         " You know what we should do? We should forget men and jerkass god's altogether. Just live our free lives you and me." Medusa squinted I to the dark to make out Uzuri perfectly framed face. Sheroares in agreement shouting "NO MORE MEN" I to the dead of night. Medusa laughed lightly and joined her. They shouted I to the night and up at the stars. They were free birds of a feather and their was no force in the universe that could stop them.❤️❤️❤️