The Gorgon Queen

Chapter 30

The Furies came crashing down on us like locust awaiting their feast. Their red glowing eyes pierced into my soul as one gripped me by my hair and threw me against the base of a nearby tree. Perseus unsheathed his sword, trying his best to wound at least one of them, but the Furies were smart. They dodged his movements even before Perseus made them.

Before my very eyes, I watched as each of my friends were brought to their knees by the Furies, none of them gave up a fight as they hit the Earth.

"That's enough!"

A deep voice bellowed through the field, making the trees shake and the Furies silent. I watched as a tall, bulky man wearing a black cloak that blew in the wind came into view.

Hades.

He had scars up and down his arms and a scar over his left eyebrow. Besides those little injuries, his face was the work of the Gods. High cheekbones made him look regal and dark. The King of the Underworld. My breath stopped at the thought.

"Let them go." he ordered. At the once, the Furies let go of my friends as I stumbled my way towards them, crashing beside Orion. He had a gash on his forehead and my fingers tentatively skimmed the wound. Orion flinched at my touch and tears welled up in my eyes.

"I'm so sorry." I whispered. Orion looked at me, his eyes glazed over as if he was trying to tell me that none of this was my fault. But a part of me felt like it was. After all, I brought him along.

Perseus and Athena moaned as they tried to get to their knees, I could see scraps and bruises all ready starting to form. As we sat there, I felt the lingering eyes of Hades on me and fought to urge to recoil and hide.

"You." he said as he cocked his head, sizing me up. "You're the one I've been looking for." he chuckled, a deep laugh that made my insides turn, "Darling, you are one tough lady to find."

Hades searched all of us, even Aspasia who was still lying unconscious behind us. I could see the wheels in his head turning and I didn't like the direction they were going. A sly grin made itself known on his lips.

"Looks like we're going to have some company."

Before any of us could pull away or try to fight, the Furies descended upon us once again. The last thing I saw was Hades's wicked grin as darkness spilled into my vision.

* * *

I woke when I was suddenly thrown onto the dirt floor. My head made contact with the ground, sending a shooting pain through my skull. I shook the pain away, accepting the fact that I now had a throbbing headache and took in my new surroundings.

I was in a cell with a little window towards the ceiling, the only passage to light. The door to my cell closed with a slam and I turned my head. A young man with shaggy black hair fixed a cool stare on me as he locked me inside, "You'll wait here until he's ready for you." the man said and then stormed off.

I ran to the door, desperate to get more information, "Wait! Where is everyone else?"

"Medusa?"

I whipped my head to my right. I was so disoriented that I didn't noticed another set of bars lining my cell, creating a wall between me and my neighbor. I knelt down on the dirt floor, my knees burning as they made contact with a mix of sand and soil. I gripped the bars and peered inside, I knew that voice.

Orion crawled his way towards me and gripped the same bars I was, our fingers interlacing together. The blood from his wound had dried, looking more black than red. I heard myself gasp as I saw the bruises that were forming along his right cheek and left eye. I didn't doubt that he put up a fight against the Furies.

"Oh my god." A sob escaped me as I took in his appearance. "What did they do to you?"

Orion shook his head, "I'm fine, are you okay?"

I nodded, knowing that I only had mere bruises and scrapes. "Where are Perseus and Athena?" I asked. Orion sighed heavily, "Hades ordered the guards to put them in a seperate cell. He thinks that by separating the four of us he'll be able to get what he wants quicker."

I didn't have to asked what he wanted, for I knew what it was, "He wants the stones."

Orion didn't say anything, he looked at the ground as if it held all the answers. He gripped my hands harder, offering me his strength. "I won't help him." I said.

Orion's eyes shot up to mine, for the first time I saw true fear in them. "He'll tortue you until you do."

"Then let him. I let those stones fall into his hands. I promised my mother."

Orion moved as close as the bars would let him and peered into my eyes, "I don't want you to get hurt." his breath hitched, "Medusa, you don't know how that would affect me, seeing the one I love hurt."

The world seemed to stop. My mouth went dry and longed for water.

"What did you just say?" I asked, not believing my ears.

With tears in his eyes, Orion said, "I love you, Medusa. Endlessly."

I let go of his right hand and reached through the bars, gently skimming my fingers along his face. He leaned into my hand and I couldn't stop the tears that streamed down my face.

"I love you too." I said.

Orion took my hand in his and kissed each knuckle. If only these bloody bars weren't here, I would jump into his arms right now and kiss him until I died. Now more than ever, I wanted to get out of here, find the stones and go back to my life. But this time, I had Orion to join me.

"Promise me one thing though," Orion said, still clutching my hand.

"Anything."

Orion sighed, almost hesitant to make this statement, "Promise me, that no matter what you will free yourself from this place and find those stones and fulfill your mother's wish." he paused, "Even if I am not there to join you."

I felt my brows draw together, "What are you saying? Of course you'll be there. We'll get out of here together." He squeezed my hand, "Promise me, Medusa. Please."

I bite my lower lip. I couldn't imagine Orion not escaping here along with me and the others. I don't know what would happen to me if I had to leave him behind.

Reluctantly, I nodded my head, "I will."

Orion let out a sign, satisfied with my answer. But I could see the sadness in his eyes.

"Where are we anyway?" I asked.

As Orion opened his mouth to answer, the door to my cell opened and Hades stepped inside. He grinned at the both of us.

"Ah, young love. So fun and yet so fragile."

I turned toward him, "Where are we? Where are our friends?"

Hades held up a finger to silence me, "Now now, it's not polite to ask so many questions." he laughed to himself, "Your friends are upstairs awaiting both of your arrivals. Our night is surely going to be one hell of a ride."