Medusa

Two: The Priestess

"Wait for me!" Atalo yelled as I took off running in the direction of the sea. It was a windy day and my golden hair kept blowing in my mouth as I tried to run and my white dress kept wrapping around my legs and restraining me from going too far. I stopped to catch my breath. I looked around to try to catch sight of Atalo. It was bright and sunny and the sunlight was reflecting off of the white sand and rocks surrounding the area.

"Atalo!" I used my hands to form a cup around my mouth to make my voice louder. There was no response so I tried again. Then from around the corner of the olive tree grove came a head full of gold curls. He was tan like me and had brown eyes. Many people confused us with being siblings. We were not related, just good friends. Atalo was an only child for now. Soon he will have a little brother or sister, his mother's belly grew every day. I on the other hand was not an only child. I had two older sisters, Sthenno and Euryale, who looked nothing like me. Sometimes I pretend I'm a lost princess from some far away kingdom who was kidnapped when I was a baby.

My father and mother are Phorkys and Keto, offspring of Gaea and Oceanus. My sisters are both immortal just like my parents. I'm the only mortal one. Atalo was standing in front of me but his eyes seemed to be fixed on something behind me. I followed his gaze. Behind me stood a beautiful woman who towered above both me and Atalo.

The woman wore a red silk dress and her hair was black as midnight. Her eyes were the color of the sky before a storm and her wrists and ankles were adorned with gold. In her right hand she held a spear with a tip sharp enough to glide through a man's skull. The air around her seemed to emit a powerful energy. She lifted up the spear and pounded it against the ground and an owl flew down from the heavens and landed on her left shoulder.

"A-Athena," my voice didn't sound like my own. It sounded weak and frail. I felt weak and frail. The only thing I could think to do was to drop on my knees. Behind me I heard Atalo do the same.

"Stand up." Her voice was soothing yet unnerving. I stood but my eyes were fixed on the ground. "Follow me." She turned and started to walk up the hill that was just to the west. I looked at Atalo for help but he just shrugged. I marched behind the goddess and about halfway up the hill I could see our destination: The Temple of Athena Nike. The goddess entered and walked towards the front where the altar stood. "I need your help Medusa." I was stunned.

"My help! Whatever for? Shouldn't I be asking you for help?" Athena held up her hand.

"I have an offer. I'm in need of a priestess and I've been watching you these past few months and think that you would be the perfect person." I was taken aback.

"Me? A priestess?" Athena nodded.

"Do you know what a priestess does my child?" I paused for a moment to try and rack my brain of anything.

"Do they offer up sacrifices to the gods?" A smile spread across the goddess's lips.

"Very good however, that is not all they do. You will have a direct connection to me and because of that you will have my protection. Priestesses must remain pure. They may not marry or have relations with men. Do you understand?"

"I understand."

"Do you accept my offer? Will you become the priestess of my temple?"

"I accept."

"Swear by this oath then.Tha parameíno pánta pistós sti theá Athiná kai an spáso aftón ton órko i psychí mou tha katarasteí."

"I swear it."