The Gorgon Queen

Chapter 23

The air was cold, like death was threatening us as we walked. The trees around us had no leaves, and branches were broken, scattered along the path. As we walked, fog began to descend upon us, thin enough for us to see, but thick with darkness.

"We have to keep heading North." Perseus said, taking in his surroundings. Metis, who was sitting on Athena's shoulder was moving her head from side to side, scanning the area.

I was doing the same. I didn't feel comfortable, for every time the wind blew slightly, a shiver went up my spine. A part of me wanted to turn back, to go back home in hide.

But then again, I had to find the Deity Stones. I had to find them for Mother and for the Gods.

Metis's screech pierced my skull, causing me to cover my ears. Orion, Perseus and Athena did the same.

"Will you calm her down?" Orion hissed. "She's going to give us away. Calliope said that there are creatures here that you don't want to deal with."

Athena rubbed Metis's belly until she calmed down. But it was too late.

A howling sound came from the distance, getting closer and closer. Since nature around us was dead or dying, we were able to see the cause of the sound, standing on a rock plateau not too far from us.

Three overly sized dogs stood to attention, their ears perked up. I could see their red eyes staring at us through the fog.

"What are those?" I asked.

Both Perseus and Orion answered at the same time, "Hounds."

As if on cue, the Hounds jumped off the rock and were sprinting towards us. All of us were frozen for a second, until Perseus unsheathed his sword and started pushing us off the path, into the forest beyond.

"Go! Go! GO!" He screamed. Metis flew from Athena's shoulder, following our path as we weaved our way through the broken forest. I heard the Hounds behind us, as they snapped their teeth. I made the mistake of looking over my shoulder and felt my heart drop.

The Hounds were gaining on us.

We sprinted through the trees, until there were no more trees left around us. We came upon a rocky field, where I could see caves carved out in the mountains around. The caves were big enough for us, but not for the Hounds.

"Over here!" I shouted.

I ran for one of the nearby caves. I could hear everyone following me. We were only a few paces away when I heard the sound of metal clanging to the ground and a body falling to the Earth. I turned my head and to my horror, I saw Perseus. He had tripped over a rock, and now the Hounds were only a few skips away from him.

"Get inside!" I shouted to Athena and Orion, pushing them into the dark cave. I started to run back out into the field when I felt a firm grip on my arm. I turned and met Orion's gaze.

"Medusa, what are you doing?"

I yanked my arm out his grasp, "I'm saving him!"

I heard Athena shout my name and I picked up Perseus's sword. It felt warm it my grasp. I caught a glimpse of myself in the blade's reflection, the dirt and sweat the was on my face made me laugh. If only my sisters could see what I was about to do.

The Hounds were coming closer. They were only a few feet away, their barks echoed through the midday sky.

I made it to Perseus and I saw that the rock had created a nice gash in his leg. "Medusa," he croaked, "Just go."

I wasn't going to leave him here to die. He saved me once, it was only fair that I returned the favor. I knelt down beside him, "You didn't leave me when I needed help. I'm not leaving you."

The look Perseus gave me, is a look that I'll never forget. The look of admiration.

I stood up and took a few steps in front of Perseus, blocking him from the Hounds. Orion and Athena were shouting at me to come back, even Metis was screeching for the whole world to hear. But I stood my ground. I wasn't going anywhere.

Only 30 more seconds.

I inhaled the deeply, probably the deepest I ever did.

20 seconds.

I gripped the sword tightly in my hands, feeling the intricate detail imprint to my skin.

10 seconds.

I blocked out the voices behind me. If I heard Orion call my name one more time, I sure would look back, and I couldn't risk tearing my gaze away from the creatures before me.

1 second.

I swung the sword in upward curved motion as the Hounds began to descend upon me. I closed my eyes as blood rained down on my skin. When I opened them again, it was as if time had frozen all together.

All three of the Hounds were headless. I had decapitated them. The paw on one of them was twitching, but then it stopped. Blood oozed out around me, stopping at the tips of my boots. I looked down at my shirt, that was now stained red.

When I looked at the group behind me, all three of their faces were staring at me, eyes wide and mouths slightly agape. I made my way to Perseus and helped him to his feet.

Together, we walked to the cave, where he propped himself up against the wall. Athena tended to him quickly as I placed his sword down and slid to the dirt floor on the opposite side.

None of us spoke. I still couldn't believe what I just did.

Without saying anything, Orion took a piece of cloth and opened the jug of water that Calliope had given us. He poured some into the cloth, dampening it and then came and sat beside me. In silence, he wiped off the blood that was on my face. I felt the careful way that his travelled along my skin, clearing away the blood.

I glanced at him, but he was looking everywhere except for my eyes. In that moment, I wondered what he thought of me. Did he see me as brave? Or as a monster?

Without thinking, when he went to wipe more blood off, I reached for his hand. I felt the dampness of the cloth in between our hands as we locked eyes. His sapphire eyes were bright, I felt like I was swimming in the sea. I watched as his eyes glanced to my lips ever so slightly.

His jaw tensed as he swallowed, as if deciding if he should kiss me. Did I want him to kiss me? I would prefer not be covered in blood, but in that moment, I didn't much care.

But before anything could happen, a pebble skidded across the ground, as if it had been kicked. The four of us craned our necks to the darkness inward of the cave, coming back to reality and the dangers that were around us.

Slowly, methodically, a figure emerged from the shadows. It wore a black cloak, covering its, but I could see waves of black hair.

"For I knew a show I was going to see," it was a woman, she sounded young by the way she spoke, "But I didn't know the spectacle it was going to create."

She pushed her cloak black, revealing her vibrant violet eyes.

"Who are you?" Athena asked. The woman laughed. "Aspasia is what they call me, I am the Oracle of this cave."

The four of us looked at one another. Aspasia caught our looks and sighed, "I see that you have heard warnings of creatures like me. For hearing one's future may not seem like a grand treat." she smiled, "But, I know what you seek, for I have helped many on this same quest."

"You have?" I asked. Aspasia nodded as she folded her arms into her cloak, "If you would like to see your destination, follow me." she turned, expecting us to follow.

When none of us did, she stopped and turned her head to the side, "I know you all have your doubts, I can see them, but fear not for this will clear your minds."

We all stood and followed the Oracle deeper into the cave.

If I knew what she would tell me, I would've made everyone turn back as soon as she appeared.