The Knights of Pegasus ~ English version

Chapter 2 : The offer of a lifetime

Medusa finished tying the knot and handed the package to her umpteenth customer of the day. This time, it was a father whose daughter was confined to a hospital bed. He was traveling for her and bringing back everything he could, in addition to the photos he took. He had set his sights on two statues in the sculpture shop. One of Joan of Arc, and the other a perfect representation of her house.

It was almost closing time, but three men in black suits entered shortly after this customer, followed by a red-haired woman in a suit. So, Medusa remained patient.

She collected the price for her two creations and started sculpting again, without noticing that one of the men in black had turned the entrance sign to "closed."

The woman approached the counter and Medusa looked up.

"Do you want something special?" Medusa asked.

"Not really. Luckily, you still know how to sculpt... I can't imagine the number of disappearances otherwise."

"Excuse me?"

"No need to play dumb. You're not Mira Gorgo. Your real name is Medusa, am I wrong?"

The Greek woman widened her eyes. No one had known who she was for a long time. And how could this woman know? Were they aware of Remy?

"No need to take off your glasses," the stranger added, noticing hesitation in Medusa's attitude. "I'm not here to harm you.

"Who are you? And what do you want from me?"

"My name is Nathalie Cook, pleased to finally meet you. I am the co-founder and current director of S.P.I.H.P. Have you heard of it?"

"No..."

"Society for Paranormal Intervention and Human Protection. S.P.I.H.P."

"What do you want?"

"To hire you."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Our company needs people like you, Medusa—"

"Mira!"

"Mira, if you prefer. My agents only have melee weapons and firearms. Against creatures with powers like yours, they're not very useful."

"And so?"

"And so, I have plans for a project called Pegasus."

"Ah! And because the legend claims that I am the mother of a HORSE, you want to hire me, is that it?"

"No. The name of the project has nothing to do with you, but rather with our coat of arms."

Nathalie tapped her shoulder with her finger, where a badge was embroidered on her jacket. A black and red shield shape, surrounded by a laurel wreath. On the shield were the letters "S.P.I.H.P." and a Pegasus with a horn.

"That's not a Pegasus," Medusa muttered. "It's an Alicorn."

"I know. But not everyone knows that. Anyway. I would like to assemble a team of extraordinary people, to form what I call the Knights of Pegasus, and for now, you are the only person suitable to be part of it."

"How kind. But sorry, I'm not interested. So, I suppose you'll blackmail me into accepting?"

"That's not my intention. Can I just know why?"

"I won't leave here."

"Why?"

"...I can't take her, she's too heavy."

Medusa bypassed the director to reach the life-sized statue of Joan of Arc. It had not been hand-carved.

"Medu... Mira," Nathalie called. "Is this the real Joan of Arc? Petrified?"

"Yes... to save her from the flames... actually, it was her idea."

Silence fell. Nathalie observed the statue for a moment. It did not exceed five feet two inches, and the face was feminine with harmonious features, marked by gentleness and modesty, even in marble. Although her armor hid her body, she seemed rather round, a body that developed in full lines, in harmony with her round face. Like a child in armor, with a proud gaze and a sword in hand. Nathalie seemed to reflect for a moment, then turned to Medusa.

"If I tell you that I might have a way to bring her back to life," she said. "Will you come?"

"It's impossible! There is no cure for petrification!"

"I don't know if it will work, but this remedy works miracles. So? Shall I try?"

"...if she comes back to life... I swear I will join your company."

"We'll have to take her to headquarters. I have what we need."

Nathalie stepped aside, taking an old gold bracelet out of her bag and handed it to one of the men present.

"Henry, if you would be so kind."

The man sighed and put the bracelet on his wrist. He seemed to pale visibly and held his head for a moment, but when he approached the statue, he was able to lift it effortlessly, much to Medusa's surprise.

"But how..." she muttered.

"This bracelet belonged to Hercules," the redhead explained. "You know him well, don't you?"

"All too well..."

"Bad memories?"

"Just like with most of the men I met before my curse."

"I see... anyway, whoever wears this jewel gains the strength of a demigod. For a short time. Henry, hurry up, put the statue in the van and remove this thing."

"Why?"

"The madness of Hercules, when he killed his wife and children. The bracelet holds that too."

Medusa grimaced. She knew, once again, that it was because of the gods. She sighed and took a piece of paper to write that she was taking a vacation until an indefinite date, which she then hung on her shop window.

"Before I follow you, I would like to introduce someone," Medusa said. "I think he'll come too, if that's okay with you."