Colder Than Stone

Chapter Eight

Athena's eyes widened. "You want what again?" She asked wondering if her ability to hear correctly had diminished. Her ladies in waiting scurried out of the room, not wanting to see their mistress angry or be in a room that would shake under her feet if she lost it.

"I want you to reverse Medusas curse," He stated looking back at her through determined eyes. "You and I both know she didn't deserve what you did to her..."

Athena looked down at him, her anger simmering just below the surface.

"I can't help you, Plutus," Athena said scowling. Her eyebrows furrowed.

" Can't or won't?"

"Maybe both, "Athenas nails dug into the seat. Her stubbornness driving her decision.

" why exactly do you want to save her?" Athena asked curiously.

"You owe me. Why, shouldn't be relevant..."

" I do, don't I? Tell me what makes her so special and I will consider."

Plutus gritted his teeth, knowing things wouldn't move along unless he budged, "She saved me." He whispered, wondering if that would be enough of a reason. It had to...

Athena's lips curved upwards into a sly smile. "I suppose maybe I can help in a way." Looking at Plutus she took a long delicate finger and tapped the side of her face.

" Well, I can't immediately return her to her former self...well not really can't, its more on the verge that I won't." She looked up at him, her blue eyes glittering mischievously.

" But, I'll allow her to leave the labyrinth, and only when someone can love her in her monstrous form and she proves her love, will she transform back." Athena slapped her hands together loving her idea.

" Where the hell would she go? how would anyone normal do anything but run from her?" Plutus fumed. "Especially looking like that!" He said throwing his arms up.

"Take her back to your castle, you have your own realm. No?" Athena asked with a raised eyebrow. "And as for finding love... who said he'd have to be mortal..."

Plutus dragged a hand through his hair, a habit he'd formed. He wasn't happy with Athena's proposition. "Fine. But don't assume that you've repaid me fully. Plutus clicked his fingers and disappeared in a bout of fire.

Athena stood watching the flames in the middle of the room disappear with a smirk on her face. She knew something like this would eventually happen and she looked forward to actively watching how it would play out.

And so it begins...

Back at the labyrinth, Medusa sat in front of a fire whilst Chimera stuck his face into the water, trying to grab a fish. The goat head which was still seemingly asleep bleated in protest at having water splash him in the face.

They're so odd, Medusa mused looking at them from the corner of her eye. Every now and then she'd wonder how they coexisted. She'd notice how the lion fully controlled the body whilst the snake and goat had a mind of their own, sometimes it seemed like the three were even conversing! At first, Medusa used to be mystified, but now it was normal. It was seldom she would easily see much, but it probably would take quite a bit to intrigue her. At least that's what she thought.

The sound of wings moving against air caught Medusa's attention. Her eyes widen slightly and she felt her heart.

Thump.

Thump...

Thump...

Medusa didn't notice herself get up or realize she was moving toward to garden until she was in front of the huge creature.

It slowly lowered its massive wings and cast it down. Its fiery gaze fixed itself on her and soon she was no longer in front of an intimidating beast, but a familiar friend. Well, at least that's what she hoped he'd considered her. A friend. She hadn't had many of those, not even during the time she had been human.

Plutus looked unsurely at Medusa. What if she chose not to come?

Medusa watched as Plutus parted his lips. She heard his words and everything else seemed to blur out, the breeze against her skin was prevalent. She felt goosebumps emerge on her arms and her cheeks heated up, her excitement was bubbling over yet the first words out of her mouth were;

"How?" Her eyebrows furrowed and her eyes glazed over. "How were you able to convince someone like Athena of this?" She asked, Her voice breaking more after each word.

The same Athena who completely ruined one of her most devout worshippers... Me.

Medusa shook her head as she sobbed. " This doesn't make sense."

Plutus looked at her, he knew he wasn't human and he couldn't lead her on, but against his better judgment he drew her in. It was unexpected and the sobs dulled down almost immediately. Medusa was stunned.

He is just repaying you. She thought to herself. But how did he_

The tears streamed down her face. " you're not lying to me are you?" She asked.

"That would be too cruel...I wouldn't dare." He moved back at arm's length and looked her in the eye completely ignoring the snakes upon her head and every other thing.

"Come with me?" He asked.

"How? If another human sees me..." she couldn't complete it. Either they'd turn to stone and she'd have to carry their last moments forever or... they'd slay her.

"Where I'm from, there are no humans," He loosened his grip on her shoulders. "Come. Please?" He asked one last time.

Can I...What if?

In a swift moment Medusa made her decision, and that night, without any other valuables besides her carvings, she soared into the air on Plutus's back, a feeling of euphoria engulfing her as they went higher and higher.