Zelus (Perseus Reimagined) (BXB)

Chapter 49

He smiles in relief, pulling me in for a kiss. There was something different about this kiss. It was longer with more affection. And I could only think that this was a goodbye kiss.

???

I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT MEDUSA'S cave would look like, but even if I did, it's not even close to what I'm seeing now. As we are nearing her island, our eyes withhold her cave that sits on the tallest mountain on the island. It's the only mountain here.

We arrived and weren't expecting the horrors that greeted us by the shores. We were surrounded by statues of men... over hundreds, or maybe even thousands, scattered everywhere. Some were standing, some had their body parts separated, and many were being taken over by nature. These are the missing men before us. The ones who never made it back.

"We're at the right place," Perseus's voice sounds foggy in the howling winds. "The Graeae said Medusa lies amongst the mightiest of knights."

I was distracted to respond. Or maybe, afraid is the right word. Afraid that we're next.

"I'm going up," Perseus takes my hand in his. "Wait for me here. If I'm not back by sunrise, go home."

There was grief in his voice and pain in his eyes. However, he pretended to be brave.

"Tell Mother I'm sorry I couldn't protect her."

"Like hell, you're going without me," I pull my hand back. "I promised the queen I'd aid you on this journey—"

"And you have," he cuts me off. "Truly, you have. And trust me when I say... those were the best days of my life. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me."

He wanted to say more, but my instant reflex pulled us behind a bush larger than us. My hand covers his mouth while the other points towards the mountain where two snake-like figures are standing guard.

"Stheno and Euryale," he whispers behind my hand.

One of them had vipers for hair, crimson red with eyes to match, and a tongue that was constantly flicking. Golden armor clothed her scaly body. And from her waist down, her snake figure glistens like a heap of gems under the light. The other sister, which I'm guessing is Euryale, has lime green anacondas for hair, lumpy but active. Though she only had a loin cloth covering her chest, her muscular figure was the first thing to catch my attention. Studying her eight-pack abs and iron-like tail, I'd say she's more threatening than Medusa.

"How are you going to get through them?" I ask.

I didn't hear an answer, and I turned to see him holding Hades' helmet.

"That's what the helmet's for," he fastens it, and suddenly, he disappeared. I reached my hand out, and he was still there, just invisible.

He removes the helmet, and I can once again see him.

"Though, its powers will not sustain for long," he studies the helmet. "I only have so much time left."

He looks up and our eyes meet.

"Please," his voice cracks. "Stay here, for me?"

"I can't just watch you get—"

"If you love me."

And just like that, my words ceased, and I was left standing there, facing him like I would never see him again. I wanted to argue and yell at the top of my lungs, but that'll just get us both killed, accomplishing nothing. My chin quivered, but I held my breath to stop it.