Once Upon a Story [ SLOW UPDATES ]

Mastermind

This is the first of 4 different short stories themed around Greek mythology. I hope you enjoy them! I don't know where this storyline came from, but it made sense at the time, so we're going with it XD

Prompt: Someone is causing chaos with Medusa's head.

Index (sourced from the internet):
Reh: for extra rudeness
Malákas: jerk/asshole

Word count: 1108
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"Sister, you look pale," Euryale noted.

"Paler than usual, for sure," Stheno added.

"I'm alright, sisters. I must've drank too much nectar."

Medusa had reassured her sisters for the second time that morning that she felt alright. She blamed the late celebration and night filled with wine and nectar as the source of her pallor.

"I will feel better after some proper rest," she told them. She quickly retreated to her room, leaning against the closed door. In truth, Medusa felt horrible. She didn't know why, but her head wouldn't stop pulsing, and her body felt heavy even after sleeping well past sunrise. She thought someone had meddled with her drink, but her snakes hadn't bitten anyone.

She couldn't explain her malaise, and it annoyed her.

She sat on her bed with her head feeling increasingly heavy. Without warning, she fell asleep, leaning onto her side. As she fell deeper into sleep, a cold breeze ran over her shoulder, like slender fingers running over her skin. Her eyes shot open, and she sat up, confused.

Did I not fall asleep? she thought.

"You are in a deep sleep."

She spun around, pupils narrowed and hair ready to strike. She looked deep into the surrounding shadows, waiting for a figure to appear. The faint scent of lavender was unmistakable. She knew who had brought her here.

"It is unwise to sneak up on me," she advised. "My snakes are particularly feral around men."

A chuckle echoed around her. "Very well."

She turned as a man stepped from the darkness. The ebony cover peeled from his pale skin, revealing equally dark hair. Wings fluttered from his shoulders as he unveiled his form. He stood imposingly above her, face blank. She hoped he would turn to stone but gasped when his body never froze.

"A little trick of mine," he explained. "It would be hard to talk if I were a statue."

"What do you want?" Medusa asked.

"Am I not allowed to reach out to a fellow outcast, Gorgo?"

He vanished in a plume of smoke as her snakes latched onto his arms. "Apologies. I forgot you detest the name."

"Answer my question, Hypnos."

He frowned, sounding upset. "Is it so wrong that I want to talk to you?"

"Stop deflecting the question," Medusa hissed. Hypnos stepped forward, earning a retreat from the woman. She hated it when men imposed their presence on her.

"I wanted a change of scenery," he replied. "The Underworld is loud these days, and my brother is especially preoccupied with his duties. I was told there was a great feast yesterday. How was it?"

"The usual mess," Medusa answered. "Now, tell me why your scent was everywhere after the ambrosia was served."

He cracked a small smile, impressed she had caught him. He had snuck in after everyone drank enough wine to feel their heads buzzing, leaving them with profound lethargy.

"You've caught me." He conjured a soaked branch and made it vanish just as quickly. "The water from the river Lethe is especially potent on drunken fools."

Medusa crossed her arms, tightly sinking her nails into her skin. She felt blood run down her fingers but didn't loosen her grip. 

"Reh malákas. You would dare poison my cup?" Her eyes blazed with fury, but he sensed fear in her voice. He knew the reason. Everyone did. What happened to the maiden was no secret.

"It was either me or that boy Eros."

"What?" The comment took her by surprise. "What does he have to do with anything?"

"His mother loves to spite him into doing things like this," Hypnos told her. "I was fortunate to get to you before he shot his arrow."

"And how do I know you're not lying?"

"I have nothing to gain from helping you. It's quite the contrary." He pushed a stray curl from his face, revealing more of his midnight eyes. "The son of the great titaness, Nyx, goddess of the night, and the primordial god of darkness, Erebus, chained with his traitorous parents in Tartarus. Zeus would jump on the opportunity to have me in chains."

He had made his point, and Medusa had to agree with him. He had no reason to help her. To see her embarrassed before the Olympians would've been in his favour. Even if Zeus punished him, his importance to humans would prevent the man of lightning from restraining too much of his power. Hypnos was someone the world couldn't discard.

"Then I suppose thanks are due."

"No need. I come here asking for a favour."

"You want a favour from me?"

Hypnos nodded. "Of course, I say this with plans to offer you great things."

"What could the son of a titan offer me?"

Hypnos motioned to the blank world around them. The shadows moved, morphing into faces and figures. They rose high and swooped down around them like a hurricane.

"A place among them, among us," he said. "Offer me your hand, and you will receive the respect you deserve."

A tempting offer, she thought.

"I will need a few nights before giving you my answer."

Hypnos dismissed the shadows. "Very well. I will see you in a fortnight. Until then, Medusa."

His figure vanished, and his scent disappeared. Medusa's eyes grew heavy, and she found herself falling again. The world went black, and light suddenly came flashing in her eyes. Startled, she gasped deeply, taking in her surroundings. She found herself in the center of her bed, blanket over her legs.

Her sister, Stheno, entered after hearing her scream. "Are you alright? Gods, even your snakes look frightened."

"How long was I asleep?"

"A few hours."

She sighed, threading her fingers through her coils. Her snakes settled. She felt as if she hadn't slept at all with Hypnos' disturbance.

"Medusa, are you certain you're alright?"

"It is nothing to worry about. Last night must have troubled me more than I first thought."

"I will bring you something light to eat," Stheno sighed. "Perhaps that will help."

Medusa breathed deeply, relieved her sister hadn't suspected anything. Sitting in the silence of her room, she couldn't help but think about what Hypnos had told her. If he meant his words, then he planned to unleash another war.

You will receive the respect you deserve, he had told her. Medusa, wrongfully accused and cursed, had almost accepted without thought. He had said what she always wanted to hear.

"Curses, what do I do?"

Her snakes hissed, feeling her anxiety, and she hoped her sister would return quickly. She needed to clear her mind and couldn't with his scent lingering on her sheets.