The Sixth Life of Medusa

43. Stones and Daggers [1]

As Medusa's fingers brushed the blindfold, the world around her vanished. First, there was darkness, then the feeling of being buoyed. The sensation was similar to how her previous lives began, but something was slightly different this time; instead of feeling cramped in a clump of cells, she floated in the void with her fully formed limbs pressed to her chest.

Had she died during the training and triggered the start of another life? That couldn't be right. Her curse must have done something, and soon enough, Medusa's suspicion was proven correct.

"You took the coward's path," the curse said, voice tight with displeasure.

Scowling, Medusa attempted to turn around only to remember there was no gravity. Every movement was excruciatingly slow, and it seemed she was in her ten-year-old body, judging from how her much longer hair floated around her face and tickled it in the most infuriating manner.

"You seem angry," her curse said.

"You think?" Medusa was enraged at herself for running, ashamed even, but most of that fury was finding a new target.

The callous ease in her voice, like getting decapitated was nothing. Even now, Medusa's neck itched in memory of the bite of the blade; the cuts always cleanly sliced through, but there was something about that sword. The way it burned, how air moved around its edge and how she remained painfully alive several minutes after decapitation. Those weren't normal.

Gulping, Medusa attempted to touch her neck only to realise with maddening frustration that her hands wouldn't move as quickly as she wished them to.

"We—" Medusa gritted her teeth and tried again. "I am not some unfeeling beast who uses people's trauma as some... some lesson for growth." She released a chuff and shook her head. "How could you do that and claim we're the same person? How?"

"Medusa," The curse spoke her name for the first time, seizing her full attention. "I am desperate."

It was impossible to guess where the curse was with how her voice enveloped the space around Medusa.

"I only push you because I feel there's little time," the curse said. "Try to understand the reason behind my harshness."

"Just stop with the mental torture." Medusa wished she could block her ears.

"I will not stop!" The curse suddenly appeared before Medusa, as tall as a tower and blazing with fury. "You've seen nothing—you know nothing. Look at me!" The curse's face morphed to that of a gorgon.

Medusa reeled back, shocked at the sight.

"Look!" She grabbed the snakes and glowed even brighter as her emotions intensified. "I lose my mind. Life after life. I feel it crawling in me. They stained our soul, and you're asking me to stop?" She released a bitter laugh. "Never. Until we are free, I will never stop."

Still frozen in her floating position, Medusa couldn't get a single word out in the face of her rage.

She sighed as her glow dimmed a little. "Call it instinct, but I know you must shed those horrors. You must." She shrank to human size and floated forward.

"I know what I'm doing. You have to trust me." The curse's gaze turned imploring as she cradled Medusa's face.

Medusa made it a point not to directly look at the snakes hanging over her shoulders.

"All that wrongness keeps these alive." She flicked at the snakes like they were actual tresses. "It locks us in a cage and gives our enemies the keys."

Not knowing what to say, Medusa attempted to pull away, but the curse wouldn't let go. "Because I know us, I made the training what it is with consideration of our limitations."