Sunlight and Storms

The Curse of Medusa

Many view Medusa as a vile beast,
a monster that targeted men with nothing but malice.
That she was this horrifying being that killed without mercy.

But, Medusa was beautiful once,
so beautiful as to tempt Poseidon.
When he came for her, she ran to Athena's temple,
thinking that the goddess would protect her.
She didn't.
And there was no stopping a god.

She prayed to Athena for comfort,
but the goddess felt nothing but disgust and contempt.
She made sure no one would ever want Medusa again.
One look at the creature she had become would turn any living thing to stone.

There was Athena's one bit of solace to Medusa,
so that Medusa would never hurt another woman.
Only men are allowed into the temple.
And, no man has ever made it out.

In a way, this was a blessing.
Medusa never has to fear being harmed by a man ever again.
However, she would now be feared for eternity.
And, she would be alone with nothing but the hiss of the snakes that decorated her head.

In some ways, that was the worst fate she could have had.
It left her dreaming of Thanatos' sweet embrace.