CHAPTER 4
Herstory, Part One - The First Death

     The truth hit Jerimiah Clarke square in his face. He could not believe what he had just heard. He could not believe his eyes as to who was sitting across from him.

    Medusa, the Gorgon!

    All of the literature, movies and recreations were true to the fact that this creature, supposedly to have lived in the ancient times of Greece, was now living in the modern world of the 21ST century. Jerimiah could not believe it, yet the evidence was sitting right across from him, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York City, in the year 2012, serving him very good coffee. She took another sip of her exotic, blended coffee where Jerimiah took another large gulp and gently set the mug down. He looked at her and simply said, "This cannot be true!"

     Medusa smiled, "I assure you Mr. Clarke, I am the Gorgon Medusa. I've been alive well over 3000 years, counting the years from when I was born, cursed, beheaded and restored to life." She paused for moment and rubbed the base of her neck. "When I was murdered, some of my memory is a bit, I would say, dark. It is like fragments of a nightmare. I remember seeing faces of people I have petrified, but not recollecting who they were. My head was used as a weapon; hence the reason why many sought to kill me. In a sense, I was the weapon of mass destruction in the ancient times."

    "Even today I imagine," Jerimiah surmised. It was true. All of the technology, smart bombs and chemical warfare cannot compare with the eyes of the Gorgon.

     Medusa nodded in agreement. "This is one of the reasons why I have hidden my true identity. Can you imagine what would happen if it was generally known that a Gorgon walks the streets of New York City? The destruction can be only parallel to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah."

    Silence passed between them for a few moments. She used her vision to see into Jerimiah's body and realized he was calming down from the initial shock he had experienced and the polite conversation they were having. A thought blazed in her mind about the amulet he touched. With the power that flowed through him, he should have been unconscious but he was not. This archaeologist was an extraordinary being, worth investigation as he was investigating her. A mutual sharing of facts and information would benefit them both.

    "More coffee?" she asked.

    "Yes please," Jerimiah answered. Both mugs were refilled, mixed to acquired taste and conversation continued.

    "So where would you like me to begin?" Medusa asked from behind her raised mug.

    Jerimiah thought for a moment, not knowing how to answer the question. And then it hit him. "Well, the depictions in the movies and television shows, they were not at all accurate as far as the visual accounting of your form and demeanor were they?"

    Luckily, Medusa's eyes were hidden from Jerimiah's eyes. They flashed yellow in annoyance and her snakes hissed. She calmed herself down and even laughed. "No, they are incorrect. These movies make it easy to dispense with me by walking up behind me and taking my head. It is very difficult to sneak up on me, with several dozen eyes watching out over every direction possible. My skin, although soft to the touch, is hard and nearly impenetrable."

    "Like stone?"

    "No, more like marble," she responded with a smile. "More like a tough hide. Swords, axes and any other edged blades would not be able to cut, much less sever any part of me, including my mane of snakes. It would take a well forged blade and someone with out of this world strength to lacerate me, much less sever any part of me."

    "What of enchanted or vorpal blades? Do such things exist?" The question slipped out of his mouth as he realized such a question was foolish. A mystical being is sitting right across from him.

    "Yes they do exist. They are difficult to make and the blades are only good for one or two strikes. Such blades don't exist in this time and I thank God no one has the knowledge or power to do so."

    "But such knowledge is obtainable if you can find any ancient scrolls and other texts that have survived the centuries," Jerimiah surmised as he scratched his chin to think.

    Medusa smiled again. "And if you have the ability to translate the ancient knowledge, you can be extremely dangerous. One could change the course of the world if they had all of the right ingredients."

    "Are you saying magic and mystic arts can make a comeback in this age of technology?"

    "What is magic? If you take a smartphone to any ancient culture, they would label you a god, a shaman or devil. Magic is the ability to reshape the physical reality to suit your needs. Alchemy is the basis of all magic, as it were. You see me sitting before you, this is alchemy. I am the combination of a human female and a demon from Hell. The so-called gods used their knowledge to create this creature you see here before you and thousands of other mutations. Many more such creatures exist in the world. But many of them are not as you may think they are. For example, some of the movies portray me as a dragon demon. That is closer to my Gorgon sister Stheno than me."

    "Wait, there are three of you? Mythology got that much right." Jerimiah asked.

    "Yes, myself, Stheno, the eldest Gorgon was the first experiment if you will. Euryale was next. Both are hideous creatures and best used as sentinels and guardians. But you need someone to control them." She gestured to herself. "And this is where I came in. My task was to control my Gorgon sisters while guarding one of the entrances to the realm of Hades. Long ago, on the island we inhabited, there were temple ruins. It had long since been abandoned, transformed by the earthquakes and erosion of the seas, a combination of caves and manmade structures. It is the perfect environment to welcome trespassers who dare come to our home."

    "I think you are scaring Jerimiah again," the demon said within the mind of Medusa. "His heart rate is increasing. I don't think coffee and an interview with a Gorgon is a good combination."

    Medusa looked at her guest and the demon was right. Jerimiah was indeed nervous and his vitals were steadily on the rise. She had to relax him in such a way he could live past tonight.

    "I must apologize. Sometimes, I revert back to the demon guardian when I did not mind killing those who foolishly came searching for my head or the items I was guarding."

    "And when you were murdered, were you guarding treasure or your life?" Jerimiah boldly asked.

    "Ironically, I was guarding my life, but that incident did not happen as many would think."

    "How so?"

    Medusa leaned back in her chair and with her bronze nails, tapped the mug mindlessly as she recounted the events prior to her death. She turned her head toward Jerimiah who was on the edge of his seat waiting for a good story to be told.

    "I will tell you if you promise to keep these secrets about me to yourself. Not even your loved ones must ever know about my existence. I have worked so hard to keep it a secret, let alone make sure any clues did not point back to me. In this day and age of technology and information, such things in the wrong hands can be more deadly than my eyes."

    Jerimiah nodded at the statement. She was right, what would the government do, or any government do, if a monster from Greek mythology was alive and well. A whole new arms race may materialize and the world may suffer for it. He then frowned for a minute.

    "What is wrong?" Medusa asked.

    "Nothing, just that my girlfriend is the same woman you let into the Metropolitan this evening and had those incredible interviews with you."

    In genuine astonishment, Medusa's eyes widened. Luckily the shades still covered her eyes. "I thought there was something between you two. How long, may I ask?"

    "Five years. She is incredible but our careers keep us, sometimes, at different ends of the world and even in our relationship at different points of view. But still, we love each other and I can't think to keep this from her."

    Medusa nodded and then said simply, "Treat it as a non-disclosure agreement. She will understand that."

    "I guess, but I would like to share this revelation with her, but I do not know how she would react."

    "I am sure in time, we can tell her. It is that I do not trust her. I do not trust her profession completely."

    "Is that why you have done so few interviews under the guise of Cynthia Petrakis? Concerned someone may want to investigate more than they should?"

    "Sort of like yourself Mr. Clarke?" Medusa shot back.

    Jerimiah shrank into his chair embarrassed for a moment and then perked back up. "I understand. This will remain between us." He shifted in his seat to get comfortable.

    "What you have to remember about history, mythology and religion, facts are often distorted to suit the intent of the person who is entrusted with the information to pass on to the people. Whether they are servants, village inhabitants or for future trustees, guardians of information are often times tempted to omit or distort events as they have transpired. I have never done so nor will I ever. What I will tell, in all things, will be as they have happened. Besides, I have a photographic memory. Even before I was cursed and driven from the temple of Athena, I can remember all the way back to my family in a small village when I was three years old. This memory I have can be a burden and a blessing. I can remember every day when I served as high priestess, the time with my Gorgon sisters, the years since the island to five minutes ago. I have so many stories to pass on and recount, except for the time of course my head was severed but I do remember the faces." She leaned forward. "Which do you wish to hear about first?"

    The archaeologist had a moment of pause. Over three thousand years of history from a being that may have experienced some of mankind's pivotal moments. But only one event came to mind. "Tell me about the day you were murdered, the day Perseus severed your head from your shoulders."

    "Of course, that would be an ideal place to start, since any information about me centers around that incident. First let me say that Perseus was not a powerful demigod or some fearless warrior. He was a scared boy and did not have any skills as a warrior. His help came from the Zeus and Athena. That part is correct, but the events and circumstances were far different." She paused, took a deep breath. "On a dreary day off the coast of North Africa…"

North African Island Region, Realm of Hades, 1545 BC

    In the ancient days of Greece, the Olympic gods held dominion over the realm of Greece or more specifically the kingdom of Greece. However, most rulers and warlords would like to believe they were the ones who could decide the fate of their subjects as easily as the gods themselves. Such thought was blasphemy to the gods of Mount Olympus and were dealt with accordingly.

    One blasphemy was the case of the Medusa, former high priestess to Athena. She was once a beautiful woman sworn to a vow of chastity and to perform the duties of high priestess in her temples. Not only was she exiled to the desolate isles of North Africa, but cursed with the ability to turn all living beings into stone by looking into her eyes. Hissing serpents replaced her once beautiful black hair; cold gray skin replaced her flawless soft, skin and bronze nails protruded from the tips of her fingers and toes; truly a monster to behold with deadly results. This has been the consequence of the curse and exile for 150 years; a curse Medusa wished it would come to an end.

    Living in banishment on a desolate isle, she considered it could be a worse torture than any being could endure, had it not been for the company of the other two Gorgon creatures who were just as deadly as Medusa: Stheno, the first Gorgon created by the lesser gods of Olympus. She was the exemplification of terror! She partially looked like a human female from the neck down to her stomach. Below she possessed the body of a serpent with a split tail and stingers at each end. Her hands were gnarled and the tips of fingers sprouted bronze claws capable of ripping flesh from bone in one stroke. She also possessed a mane of hissing, poisonous vipers. The difference between her and Medusa is Stheno was capable of flight due to her large insect like wings with a span of twenty feet. Her eyes had the ability to kill, but not turn one to stone. When someone looked into those hateful, burning eyes, the victim would burn from within, spontaneous combustion of the flesh leaving the charred remains of the victim frozen still in pain. Only the eyes, which Stheno happily feasted on, remained in the ashen remnants of the skull. If this deadly monster did not have enough defenses at her disposal, her skin, smooth as marble, excreted acid from her pores and burn as fire to any that was foolish enough to touch her. Stheno also possessed two mouths on her left and right side of her face. Both can speak two different thoughts at once, mostly thoughts of death and battle.

    The next Gorgon, just as deadly as Stheno, was Euryale the malformed. The distinguishing feature of this Gorgon is the shape of her head: the right side is larger than the left. The right eye was the size of an almond whereas the left the size of grapefruit. These odd eyes caused the flesh of those who look at them to boil, blister and melt off of bones, leaving a bloody, motionless skeleton. At times Euryale will crawl on all fours, her hind legs shaped like that of a wolf, her forearms shorter than her legs, giving her the natural ability to walk upright with ease. Her wings resembled bat wings and capable of sustained fight. Euryale's tactic when attacking trespassers would be to barrel into them, knocking them into the ground and engaging them in physical combat. More animal and brawler than her other two sisters, but none the less deadly, Euryale was considered to also be a gentle creature if not encouraged or antagonized into violence.

    Medusa, regarding her sisters, stirred a large boiling pot of stewed vegetables. Since being exiled, her eating habits drastically changed. As a human high priestess, she was used to eating the best cuts from wild and captive game animals, fishing in the seas near the temple. However, with her ability to turn anything or anyone to stone by looking into their eyes, eating meat was not possible if she prepared it herself. The only animals that dared exist on the island with Gorgons were insects and rats. Fish were scarce along the shore and Medusa refused to take up eating vermin and pestilence. Those delicacies were reserved for Euryale and sometimes Stheno when she desired to eat.

    "One hundred, fifty years," she muttered to herself as she stirred and added herbs to the boiling mix. It was one hundred years since Athena banished Medusa from her temple and forced her to be the guardian of the other Gorgon monsters. One hundred, fifty years of relative solitude as anyone who dared come to the island was mutilated, incinerated or turned to stone. The courtyard of the Gorgon's lair littered with the bodies of hundreds of men coming in search of a Gorgon's head as a prize. Instead they became monuments to their futile efforts.

    Medusa shrugged her shoulders and considered it could be worse as she could have been all alone with no one to speak to, except for a graveyard of statues. But she took her company in stride. For she knew with her curse came with outwardly powers of savagery, the ability to stop anyone in their tracks was a power even the gods had to envy. But it begged the question, why would they give this power away and not keep it for themselves?

    "Why do the gods exist only to be curse on all things?" Medusa muttered over boiling kettle. She woke a sleeping Stheno, who uncoiled herself, yawned with her to vicious mouths and looked over to Medusa.

    "Are you still pining away about the gods, dear sister? I would think after a century, you would come to grips with it," Stheno hissed from her right mouth, her left mouth cackled.

    "Yes Stheno, it has been over a century since I came here to be steward over you and Euryale. What is to become of the greatest destructive power this world will ever know? Is it to simply rot on this isle and pick off foolish men who dare to set foot on our province?"

    "You are right, what is to become of us if we do not seize the world for our own. You know the way to Olympus, you can take your revenge and the world will be yours." Stheno raised herself in encouragement, her serpent rasping in agreement.

    Medusa looked at Stheno with a cold stare. "For several years we have attempted to get off of this island with no results. Flight, sailing, even digging our way to freedom has proved useless! The gods, however imperfect as they truly are, know how to trap any being in their web of fate. Even humans are held more deeply in their sway than we are."

    "But you know their ways, Medusa. You know how to beat them! For why else would that bitch Athena give you more power than she has herself? You are meant to destroy her!"

    In yet another series of arguments that went nowhere, Medusa said nothing for a long while as she tasted her vegetable stew. Satisfied, she then prepared a bowl for herself and began to eat. The others never partook of Medusa's stew; their diet was unusual to say the least. Euryale seemed to constantly eat whereas Stheno had been known to go without eating for months on end. Medusa sat on her small cot and ate a few more mouthfuls before she spoke again.

    "My sister, until we figure a way of releasing ourselves from this island, the goals of revenge and conquest will have to wait. It is not the gods I fear, but humans. In great numbers they pose a grave threat to us. Though we can slaughter them by the hundreds, they can eventually swarm and overpower us. We could be buried underneath their stone, ashen and skeletal remains and eventually die." Taking a few more sips, Medusa continued. "Besides, we need to find a way of separating the gods from their blind, naive worshipping humans and then we can rule the world!"

    "Find a way soon my sister. I cannot wait another one hundred years before you act!" Stheno hissed.

    Medusa raised one eyebrow at Stheno who had both of her mouths open in protest of Medusa's plan. She quickly shrank back in her corner when the look of disapproval was evident on Medusa's face. If looks could kill, and in the case of the Gorgons it was true, Medusa would slay Stheno a dozen times over. None of them knew why when they stared at each other their respective Gorgon's gaze did not harm the other. All the better they supposed. Truly, Medusa was not in the mood for another argument about the decimation of the gods. If their time was to come, the plan must be infallible and executed without hesitation.

    The sound of claws scraping stone entered the high cave in which the sisters shared refuge. Euryale climbed into space with several dead rats and in her hand and one large hawk clenched between her jaws. She tossed the decapitated rats to her sister Stheno, who smiled and began eating right away. "Look at what I caught, a messenger hawk from a faraway kingdom! It must have gotten lost in the storm from last night. Poor thing." Euryale bit into its feathered torso as she tossed the message to Medusa. She unfurled it and read the message.

    "It is just a message from a King Ballor to Queen Felna. It seems this hawk was to deliver a message of peace and mutual trade. Well, it looks like both of these nations will soon be going to war." Stheno and Medusa shared a laugh as they continued to eat. Euryale looked at them in confusion but just kept eating the hawk.

    "So what did I miss while I was hunting?" Euryale asked as she spat out brown feathers from the hawk.

    "The same old argument: When will we destroy the gods," Medusa answered.

    Euryale sighed and then said, "I am beginning to agree with Stheno, Medusa. We are powerful enough to stop any power set against us. Tell me you relish staying here on this island with us. I know you harbor a deep affection for your two sisters."

    Medusa had always known of the curious personalities of the demons she shared refuge with. Stheno always plotted and waited for an opportunity; Euryale sided with whoever made the most persuasive argument but expressed no opinion of her own. Medusa herself was the true "brains of the outfit". She was getting tired of the same old conversation. Killing off warriors, mercenaries and fortune seekers was becoming repetitive and uneventful. Mortal men could not stand against one Gorgon, let alone three. Deep down she began to waver. "Perhaps the two of you are right. I believe the time is upon-"

    A psychic tremor flowed through Medusa that made her drop her bowl of soup. She stood up quickly and walked to the entrance of the cave. She looked down into the temple from the mountain they inhabited with her Gorgon eyes and saw only the stoned statues of their victims. She then gazed at the beach and then to the sea. Her sight revealed nothing but the feeling was undeniable. Something summoned her attention like never before.

    "What is it Medusa?" asked Stheno as she swallowed another headless rat.

    "I hear my name on the winds. Someone seeks to challenge me. I smell arrogance and fear at the same time. A fool, a young boy, travels to seek my counsel in death, I will oblige him!" Upon hearing Medusa's comments of an impending visitor, Stheno and Euryale howled in anticipation of a battle. Even Medusa had to smile, although she has been cursed, the prospect of destroying yet another minion of the gods appealed to her.

* * *

    Thirteen days later, Medusa, Stheno and Euryale patrolled the temple courtyard waiting for their potential quarry. Stheno and Euryale, once excited about a possible good kill, were presently bored.

    "When is this boy, as you say, coming for you Medusa? Are you sure it was your name on the winds? Or are you finally going mad?" Stheno's comments caused Medusa to let lose a growl in agitation. She was right, where was this boy?

    Then, the sound of footsteps reached her ears and Medusa ran up to high terrace in the old temple and looked toward the beach. A young boy from a small village in Greece tied his boat to a trunk of a dead tree on the shore. He wore simple sandals, a short toga and tattered red cloak. He carried a small shield, a short sword and shook with frayed nerves. "Hardly worth killing," Medusa thought aloud. "Why was I so worked up about this young man child?"

    Stheno and Euryale joined their sister on the terrace. "Well, a small man child. I have not killed one so young but this is a perfect opportunity to do so," said Stheno.

    Euryale was also excited at the prospect of hunting down someone so young. His flesh would definitely be the sweetest she would have the opportunity to taste. Medusa was not feeling so inclined to dispense with him.

    "No, my sisters. This one is too small to be concerned with our attention. Let him go," Medusa ordered.

    Stheno protested. "I refuse to let this boy go. If he came looking for you, let him pay the price with his life."

    "I said no, Stheno. I have no interest in killing this boy. I will give him a chance to flee with his life. If he decides a more, foolish path then you and Euryale can have him."

    Medusa found a discarded spear, a light colored rag and bit her forefinger. She wrote a message on the cloth in her blood and then tied it to the spear. Then with a smooth warrior motion she launched the spear toward the beach.

* * *

    The boy who came to the isle of the Gorgons was named Perseus. His quest was to bring the head of Medusa as a wedding gift in order to stop the wedding of his mother Danaë to King Polydectes, who would most likely have him killed once his mother was his consort. His knowledge of Medusa was limited, which made him regret not consulting with the gods before he left on the journey. He tied his boat to a dead tree and then set out onto the beach. The area leading up to the courtyard and temple was deathly quiet, in the mid-day haze he could make out the shapes of people. Not people exactly but of human figures frozen and turned to stone!

    Perseus swallowed hard and slowly made his way up the beach and onto the courtyard when out of nowhere a spear struck the ground near his feet. Startled, he jumped back several feet and drew his sword. He looked around but then realized that looking around was an easy way to die staring at a Gorgon. His senses didn't hear or see anything moving about as the youth approached the spear. At its center was some type of parchment tied to the shaft. Realizing it could be a message to him, Perseus untied the parchment very carefully as he thanked his mother for the education of reading. The message written in the Modern Greek language, read:

    You are a foolish, young boy that hasn't lived the years to learn what foolishness truly means. I offer you the opportunity to leave my island and in return no harm will befall you. No other warning will be given, no mercy will be granted if you choose to follow your current, unwise course.

    The note was signed "Medusa" and written in blood. Again Perseus looked around very cautiously and thought he should retreat. He feared that if he did not return with the head of Medusa, he may be killed and his mother may be under the sway of King Polydectes forever. His heart was pounding hard in his chest. Medusa knew he was on the beach. She also knew of his purpose. After reading the warning delivered by a spear and not having any other means to win, failure was too much a reality for him to accept. The assistance from the wind sprites told Perseus in which direction to find the island in which the Gorgons dwelt but no other help came. Perseus looked at the spear and then at the message. He immediately turned around and ran for his life back to his boat, dropping his small shield and sword on the sand.

    From upon the terrace overlooking the courtyard Medusa smiled and laughed. "You see, my sisters, it is possible to grant anyone mercy who follows sane advise. This one was too small to challenge us and not worth our time."

    Stheno's mouths let out a sigh as she slithered from the terrace and into the cave. Euryale stared after her sister and then to Medusa. "Are you sure we should let him go, perhaps it was the gods who sent him-"

    "If the gods did," Medusa started, seething with anger. "They should have sent a warrior, or better still, dozens of warriors to even challenge the Gorgons. It is an insult to even consider this boy was ever a challenge."

    Euryale recoiled at the rebuke but then stood back up and faced Medusa. Without saying another word, Euryale walked back to the cave and positioned herself to sleep. Medusa continued to watch the beach and boy get ready to sail from the island. The position of the sun in the sky told Medusa night was about to fall and she thought to retire herself. Another day without incident or redemption, she thought. Perhaps Stheno's plan of leaving the island would be best, if no other reason than to put an end to their mundane life, curse or no.

* * *

    Perseus began to untie his boat at the beach shore. Between panic and his overworked mind pondering his mother's plight back home, Perseus just wanted to leave as quickly as possible. Suddenly, Perseus noticed three mid-size ships with red sails approaching the beach. Several men from each vessel descended into the murky shallow water and pulled on ropes of their respective ships to beach them, while the rest of the crew and passengers disembarked. Perseus counted thirty-six men, all of them heavily armed and armored from head to toe. Some men bore swords and shields, others with long impaling spears, and a few with bows and arrow. A curious sight was to see eight men carrying long chains with large hooks at one end and an iron ball at the other. They seem to be from the Far East, Perseus surmised. Looking at the men assembled, he saw Greek countrymen, and desert nobles, several dark skinned warriors and the rest looked as if they came from fog lands to the north.

    Marauders, fortune seekers, mercenaries, all of them gathered in a circle with the leader in the middle. He walked up to every man and saluted each one of them, talked to a few of them, even addressing them by their names. Perseus was not able to hear the individual conversations but he did hear the leader, a Greek man wearing a silver breast plate, red robes underneath, and holding a long sword. He raised it and addressed his group.

    "Never has a finer collection of killers ever been assembled as I see here today," the leader said, many agreeing with him. "Tonight we have come to this fabled island to kill witches and demons. Their heads will be mounted on the bows of our ships and we will journey to all corners of the earth conquering and destroying all who oppose us. We will establish a new nation and the gods will not dare to interfere with us!"

    Cheers rose up from all of the men. They could not know what horror awaited them. The notion of glory and power had blinded them to fact they would all die horrible deaths. Some of the men cheered their mission, others called out his name, Tiber! Spears raised, swords clattered on shields and chains rattled. These seekers of fame long announced their arrival onto the island. Perseus shook his head in despair. "Fools! Damn fools all of you!"

* * *

    Medusa could not agree more with Perseus as she rallied her sisters and watched the mercenaries from the balcony. What would have been a quiet, uneventful evening now will become a night of death! Stheno's mouths drooled as she was savoring the prospect of battle. Thirty-six men were slowly walking to their deaths as they made their way into the courtyard. Medusa analyzed how the men were progressing into the courtyard: dispersed and spread out, some of them moved in groups of four or five. Eight of them had chains and hooks carried in a ready-to-throw grasp. Two of the men with spears hung all the way behind to bring up the rear, possibly to prevent anyone from escaping, Gorgon or mercenary. Medusa focused on the leader Tiber and suddenly had an overwhelming urge to speak with him personally. The other mercenaries were no concern to her.

    "Stheno, Euryale," Medusa spoke with a calm and quiet voice. "Kill the others except the one in the red and silver costume. Dispose of them as you see fit, but make sure the leader and I are alone in the temple."

    Both Gorgons smiled and bowed their heads to Medusa as they flew from the terrace. Medusa wanted to watch from above to see the action. A small part of her did not wish the death of the mercenaries, but her darker more enigmatic side had no sympathy for them. She granted mercy to one boy, now thirty six men were about to die.

* * *

    Two men stood with spears at the ready at the edge of the courtyard, keeping as calm and steady as best they could. They watched their comrades maneuver slowly through the maze of statues, piles of ash and skeletons. A foul smell rose up to greet them; it reeked of death and thirty-four men moved about with caution. The guards to the rear kept alert and were ready to react to any situation. Unfortunately, they were not ready for the Gorgon Euryale creeping up on them on all fours. Her snakes were quiet, wings folded back she moved within three feet of them before standing to her full height.

    Smiling, she noted that the two men were not aware of her stealth approach. Then in one sweeping motion, she grabbed them by the throats, squeezing them like vices as to not let any sound of an alarm escape their lips. She dragged them onto the ground for a minute before flying off with them. The two men fought against her grip all the while she flew away from the courtyard out sight of the remaining men and deposited them on a ledge away from the temple and their cave. She kept her head down but fought them, as if she was playing with her prey, she was. The two mercenaries, both with blood dripping from their mouths unable to speak or cry out, drew their swords and attacked Euryale furiously. Hacking and slashing wildly, they fought for their lives but Euryale merely laughed as she dodged the attacks.

    Finally, after she had her fun with them, sharp claws found their mark and from their throats to lower abdomen as she viciously slashed both men. Blood poured from the gaping wound as the two mercenaries collapsed in a heap. With no hope of escaping, they looked at their tormentor for mercy who gladly returned their gaze. The bruised and battered flesh of the two mercenaries separated from their bones, leaving them in a frozen state of pain and horror. The Gorgon left the corpses to attend to the other invaders.

    "Two killed, thirty-three to go," she whispered to herself in amusement.

    Stheno slithered on her belly silently while watching the marauders penetrate further into their domain. She did not curse them for invading; rather she thanked them for providing sport and a possible meal of their eyes. As the sun began to set, the marauders used torches to provide light for their search. Stheno stayed in the shadows as it was a good hiding place for the Gorgon. She circled them quietly noting their positions, postures and weapons they carried. All of them were afraid but foolish courage drove them to hunt the Gorgons. The leader was of particular interest to Stheno but Medusa picked him as her victim. A pity she thought, but there were plenty of other warriors she could destroy. All the better for her as killing human men was a pastime she enjoyed. With no restraints, save for the leader, she may do as she pleased, but inducing more fear in her prey is what she did best.

    After she made the locations of the men, she waited in the shadows listening for Euryale to enter the inner court yard and take up her position opposite her sister. Their plan was to split up the hunters and pick them off one by one, a few at a time. A slight rustling sound, which the men would mistake for dead leaves blowing in the wind, was Euryale. She waited for Stheno to make her move and then the sport would commence. Stheno picked out four men with swords and shields and decided to attack them first. They stood by a large support column waiting and watching the shadows for any movement. Their tactic might have worked if they were staring to the left instead of the right, from which Stheno made her quiet approach. Crawling on her belly, she slid behind the column and brought her body upright, her two tail spikes at the ready. Then both mouths opened to let loose both a high pitch scream and a deep howl.

    The noise startled all of the men in the inner courtyard and Stheno's tail struck two of the men on the edge in the throats and then she swung around the column so fast, the two remaining men fell to her brutal slashing just as they caught the eyes of the Gorgon and were turned to frozen ashen skeletons.

    Tiber turned to see the aftermath of the deaths of four of his men and spied a creature disappearing into the shadows. "Over there!" he yelled pointing. The men with the chains and hooks crouched low and crawled in the general direction when from behind them. Euryale charged and rammed herself into the larger group, knocking a dozen mercenaries off their feet. As she ran, she grabbed two more men, dragging them off into the shadows to meet the same fate as the two spearmen. The inner courtyard and the temple entrance were filled with the sound of men dying and the Gorgons making their first kills.

    Medusa watched from within the temple worship area with intrigue and revulsion. For an instant, she thought what would become of her if these two decided to turn against her. Would she be a match for their savagery? Could she muster her own in order to survive? "Yes you can!" A powerful, internal voice answered and provided no further information. Who or what was that, she thought. The sounds of men shrieking brought her back to the matter at hand. Soon there will be one and she will be happy to dispense with him once she had gotten all of the information from him.

    "Shri, take out the torches on the walls and columns. Tell the rest of assassins to ready their chains. We will have two monsters to kill here first and then we will stalk the third one!" Tiber ordered the man who was in lead of the chainmen.

    The masked man bowed and then signaled with his hands the instructions from Tiber. As quickly as the Gorgons were moving, the eight chain men destroyed the torches in the inner courtyard and evened the odds a bit in their favor. More than half of the men they came with were now dead the chainmen took to their stealth skills and focused on serpent Stheno. If they could isolate and possibly kill her, Euryale would be easier to deal with.

    For a few nerve racking minutes, the area was quiet. Everyone strained their hearing to lock on the slightest noise: snakes hissing, men breathing, hearts pounding. The Gorgons had an advantage of seeing in the dark, not as well as Medusa, but the invaders did not know that. The chainmen drew closer to Stheno's last position. To not make their efforts seem in vain, she never moved from the column where she killed two more mercenaries. Instead she wrapped her long body around the upper part of the column so her upper torso and arms were free to strike any wondered close to her position. The wait was not long as one chainmen walked right in front of her. She raised her bloody, clawed hand and grasped the chainman around the neck and lifted him off his feet. When she finally slashed him, the man let out a scream in pain but from the pitch, Stheno deduced he was not male, but female. For a moment Stheno was beside herself, both mouths open in astonishment. Her hatred of males was such that she needed no encouragement to kill them. But this female she just mortally injured gave her a moment of pause. In one instant she wanted to let her go and let her die peaceably but she finally decided to finish the job. Her hands clawed the female body until the flesh was completely stripped from her bones.

    "They use women to hunt other women," Stheno's left mouth uttered while she tore the chainman…chainwoman to shreds.

    "Her fate should not be as merciful as the other males she arrived with," the right mouth spat.

    Her focus on the one chainman led the others to zero in on her position and with unerring accuracy, seven iron chains found their mark. One chain wrapped around her neck, another around her right wrist, dropping the remains of their comrade, one chain around her wing. With all of their might, the chainmen pulled Stheno down from the column and wrapped the other end of the chains around nearby columns. She thrashed about, screaming and howling, trying to free herself. Regardless of her super strength, she was unable to break the hold of the chains pulled on her in different directions. For the moment, she was trapped and could not escape.

    Tiber heard the chainmen cheer in victory as they had one Gorgon trapped. "Quickly, all of you rally to the chainmen and kill the beast," Tiber shouted. With his sword drawn, Tiber ran to their position but from behind them, what felt like a battering ram, Euryale ran through the men that were descending upon the trapped Stheno.

    The sounds of swords cutting hard flesh, Stheno screaming while being restrained and Euryale fighting with the mercenaries filled the temple as Medusa observed the mêlée with interest. This was probably the first time in decades did warriors present a real threat to the Gorgons. The possibility of Stheno and Euryale being killed was something Medusa could not allow. Darkness prevented her sisters from bringing their gaze to bear on the mercenaries; light would turn the tide in their favor. Medusa reached for a torch that was near her and lit it. Then she ran as fast as she could into the fray and lit the extinguished torches closest to Stheno and Euryale. With the inner courtyard lit, the two Gorgons used their powers and turned the rest of the mercenaries to ash and rotting bones.

    Tiber was slammed face first on the temple floor after Euryale battered into his back. It took him a moment to get himself orientated as his ears were ringing and his eyesight blurry. With his right hand, he felt his head and it confirmed what his body told him. He was injured and bleeding from his head. Slowly he sat up and ripped his red robe into bandages and tended to his wounds. When he was ready, his senses seemed to come back to him as he heard the two Gorgons curse and scream as one of them sought to undo the chains the chainmen used to restrain Stheno. Tiber's hearing also told him that none of his men were alive. The smell of new death permeated in his nose. He was all alone with two monsters that were not too happy with the mercenary lot. He scarcely heard a third person walk about the temple. Quickly he tied one more bandage around his eyes as to prevent looking into the eyes of the Gorgon Medusa. He picked up his sword and shield and slowly backed deeper into the temple. He knew there was no way of running out from this place. He would make his last stand here!

    "They hurt me, sisters. Never has anyone dared to rip my skin," Stheno said as she removed the chains from her neck. Euryale untied the chains latched around her sister's wing and threw them to the floor. The naga Gorgon extended and stretched her body to alleviate the pain and strain from the temporary bondage.

    "Do not worry Stheno," Medusa said in calm voice. "You and Euryale have managed to kill all of the mercenaries who came seeking death, now I wish to speak to their leader. Alone." She turned to her injured sister. "Go. Rest and recuperate."

    Stheno and Euryale nodded and left the courtyard and returned to the cave. Medusa turned her attention to the leader and walked into the temple. Her vision spotted the leader off in a corner, attempting to hide in the shadows. She noted his eyes were covered with a red cloth. "That will not help him," she uttered to herself.

    Tiber heard footsteps enter the area and began to move in a circular pattern away from them, hoping to work his way to getting behind her. His sword and shield at the ready to defend him from attack.

    "I must say, brave mercenary, you mounted an impressive campaign to do battle with the Gorgons. Your men should be commended for injuring Stheno. I thought it impossible but you were prepared for a battle against us. Were you not prepared for death? It seems to be the only outcome of your venture," Medusa said as she moved among the statues, scraping her bronze nails on them as she passed.

    "I told those I recruited that some of them will not come back, but the reward of your head was worth the sacrifice," Tiber replied continuing to moving away.

    "Worth the sacrifice? All of you could have lived long prosperous lives or to fight in a glorious battle for your homes, your people, your lands. Instead you will be damned to Hades flames. I will see to it personally."

    "Oh come now Medusa, are you not tired of living on this island with those demons? Surely that death can be your release from this miserable life. And in return I can use your head to rule the world. Both of us can profit."

    The audacity of this mercenary was amusing. Had this been fifty years ago, Medusa may have surrendered to death and allowed herself to be beheaded. But now, she had a purpose to bring about the destruction of the gods. This mortal was just an impediment to be removed.

    "Truly, my head? What will you do with such a powerful weapon? You cannot mount it on a spear; you will petrify all who see it, enemies and allies alike. You cannot fix it to your vessel; you will destroy every living creature that sails in your path. You, my dear mercenary, will be a pariah to all man. Is this the future you wish, all alone with just your prize? I doubt that." Medusa walked behind Tiber who was still making his way through the statues, feeling the conversation was about to end she moved within striking distance. He heard the serpents from Medusa's hair and moved away.

    The two of them "danced" through the statues as he tried to get a clean sword strike at the Gorgon's head. Medusa tried to get in close enough to look into his eyes, despite his eyes were covered by the red blindfold. Then fate stepped in. Tiber bumped and then tripped over a statue of a Spartan soldier. It toppled over and the statue shattered to bits. He fell and rolled attempting to put distance between himself and his quarry but rolled into Medusa, who in turn grabbed him by his throat and lifted him off of the ground. With his opposite hand he swung the sword but Medusa caught his hand and wrenched the sword from his bloody grip.

    "I would ask you to join the other statues in my garden, but you are someone I would rather not have in my collection," Medusa hissed as she tore away the blindfold, scratching his face. His wide eyes found Medusa's and Tiber let out a scream that was quickly silenced by the curse turning him to stone from the inside out. Still lifted above her head, Medusa tossed wounded the mercenary away against the wall to crash and explode into pieces just as the horrible gaze completed its work. The domain of the Gorgons was devoid of intruders.

* * *

    Perseus scrambled onto the ships of the mercenaries looking for better weapons. He did not arm himself to attack the Gorgons but to have them ready in case Medusa changed her mind and came looking for the boy after the group of mercenaries invaded their temple. The screams and howls coming from the lair followed by deathly silence told Perseus all thirty-six men met their fates. How long would it be before the Gorgons would come out and search the beach for any other intruders? Perseus stumbled around on the larger vessel looking for enough armament to protect himself from possible attack. If he was able to, he would put the abandoned mercenary ship to sea he could sail away, maybe dock his boat at Seriphos and steal his mother Danaë in the night. Foolish thinking, he thought. Escape was the only thing on his mind. Afterwards he would deal with his other problems.

    "PERSEUS! STOP!" A loud voice commanded the boy to be still. From the clouds appeared thunder and lightning. Perseus was about to tremble in fear when a pillar of light appeared before him.

    "Be still my brother, I am Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, daughter of Zeus. I will not allow you to flee in fear. You are on a very brave and important quest to save your mother. Do not let fear keep you from your destiny."

    "How can we be related," Perseus asked. "Am I a god as well?"

    "A demigod, half man and half god. You have strength that flows from our father Zeus." The column of light was replaced with a woman with blond hair twisted pinned above her shoulders, white skin, red striking lips and she wore a mixture of golden armor and white flowing robes. Athena was a beautiful as Perseus imagined any god to be. "I will give you the tools you will need to defeat Medusa and save your mother."

    Perseus' eyes brimmed up with tears and he knelt. "I hope one of those tools is courage because I heard the death screams of thirty-six men and I cannot hope to win Medusa's head-"

    "Be still!" Athena commanded. She looked at Perseus shaking and then grasped him by the shoulders and lifted him to his feet. "You have the courage and the desire to overcome the impossible. And with the weapons forged by the gods at your command, I imagine you can slay all three, but one Gorgon's head will be sufficient."

    Athena waved her hand about and a small, swirling energy vortex appeared between them. She reached in and withdrew a short sword with a translucent blade. "This is a vorpal blade. This blade can cut through anything that comes in contact with, but it has limited use. You can only use it once or twice to find your mark. Strike quickly or you will suffer her wrath."

    Perseus took the blade and sheathed it in a sword holster he discovered on the mercenaries vessel. Athena placed her hand in the vortex again. "This is an enchanted shield. It will protect your from any brute force and also makes a great weapon to smite and bash your enemies with. Also, the reflective surface on the inside will enable you to look at any Gorgon should you need to. You will not suffer their gaze."

    He took the shield in his left hand and stood proud. "These sandals are from Hermes. They will enable you to fly back across the seas in time to save your mother Danaë. When you are ready to take flight, they will spring forth wings and carry you up in the air."

    Perseus took the pair of golden sandals and slipped them onto his feet. On each side of the sandal possessed embossed wings that folded over his bare feet. They felt so comfortable Perseus knew he could walk on air.

    "Finally," Athena continued. "This helm was forged by Hades during our battle with the Titans long ago. It can cast a reflection of yourself ahead of you or behind you to make your enemies strike at an illusion, giving you the opportunity to kill your foe. This is the power of the Helm of Invisibility. This will protect you from the Gorgon's sight as they possess the uncanny ability to see in the darkness as well through any shroud you try to cloak yourself in. She will be upon you instantly before you can try to fight." Athena closed the portal as he took the helmet and placed on his head. He snapped the protective face plate down over his eyes to complete the ensemble. She smiled at him and placed her hands on his shoulders.

    "You are ready my young brother. The blessings of the gods are with you. I ask one thing of you."

    "What can I do to for you my goddess? How can I repay you for all you have done for me?" Perseus asked as he bowed at the waist.

    Athena smiled with malicious intent. "When you have taken the head of Medusa from her shoulders and present it to the King Polydectes and his court, bring the head to my temple, the Parthenon, and leave the shrouded head at the altar. This will be payment to me for my assistance. I trust you will not fail because you have so much at stake.

    In a flash of brief light, she was gone. He made sure he was not hallucinating when he looked at the new weapons Athena had blessed him with. He was now ready to take on the Gorgon Medusa.

* * *

    Euryale poured fresh, clean water into a goblet for herself and some for Stheno as they settled into their sleeping areas in the cave above the temple. The wounds dealt by the mercenary chainmen were healed and no scars appeared on her acidic skin. Memories of the fight still occupied both Gorgons as they compared notes on who killed the most. They snapped, hissed and laughed at each other. Medusa arrived at the cave entrance looking angered and tired from dealing with the last mercenary. Stheno noticed her sister's lament and slithered over to her.

    "What is it my sister?" Medusa looked at Stheno and Euryale.

    "I think it is time we plan for the destruction of the gods. They will continue to send men after us in order to kill us for their trophies," Medusa said in anger, the snakes in her hair responding to her mood.

    "Women will also join the fray," Stheno added. "I killed a female human, so it is no longer men just seeking our heads and hides."

    Medusa turned to face her. "Then death to them all and to their gods. We will plan Stheno. We will plan their destruction. Even Hades will bow to the Gorgon Sisters!"

    With clenched raised fist, Stheno and Euryale joined their sister. Stheno secretly was elated Medusa had finally seen her point of view and finally the rivers will run with blood, ash and stone. Euryale was also delighted, which meant Medusa and Stheno would no longer argue on a topic they would never see eye to eye if the day's attack had not occurred. However they will most likely argue on how to put their plan of destruction into action. At least for one night it will be quiet in the cave. She sniffed the air and then walked to the edge of the cave and looked down. She directed her sight to the beach where large plumes of black smoke bellowed from red flames. The three ships of the mercenaries had arrived in burst into flames. Medusa and Stheno joined their sister at the ledge.

    "What could have caused those ships to simply combust? There was no lightening in the skies and we killed all of the mercenaries," Stheno surmised.

    "Go to the beach and investigate, I will check the temple and courtyard for any additional intruders," Medusa said as all three left the sanctuary of their cave.

    Below in the courtyard, behind the several stone statues of warriors, Perseus crouched behind them waiting for any Gorgon to appear so he could attack or evade them. Setting the mercenary ships on fire should draw out the Gorgons. A noise brought his attention to the reflection in his shield. Two winged creatures flew quickly to the beach where he set the ships aflame. Only one remained behind. "Medusa," he whispered to himself. He stood up then walked backwards into the temple. He began a methodical search through the courtyard for his target...

* * *

    Medusa's eyes revealed that the boy, whom she granted mercy to earlier in the day, had made his way into the courtyard and was now entering the temple. He was armed with weapons and seemed to have a godly presence about him. "The gods have empowered this boy to carry out his mission to take my head. He will be first to die in our conquest of the Olympians," the Gorgon said to herself as she made her way into the temple.

    She moved through the maze of columns and statues looking for the boy. Several times she thought see saw him and then he just disappeared. Perseus moved in the opposite direction, making sure he kept his eyes on the shadows and on the reflection. Twice he saw her reflection, once far away and the other close to him. Both times he noticed the reflection had no eyes. Curiosity almost caused him to turn and look to see if the eyes were really there, but that would mean his death. He continued to lead Medusa into a position that would enable him to strike her down in one flash of his sword. Perseus had only one chance to strike!

    Medusa circled a petrified group of Greek soldiers she made sixty-two years earlier. This group landed on the isle of the Gorgons accidentally during a violent storm. The five men and their squires huddled in the temple for warmth from the storm hoping to leave when the downpours let up. Medusa was in the grip of her curse and was sought them out for help. Upon venturing into the temple to offer help and seeking assistance for herself, she petrified all of them. One soldier drew his sword in attempt to kill Medusa with a lunging thrust. His attempt died in vain as the blade never touched the intended target.

    She came up behind Perseus and slashed at him but her hand went through him. "An apparition," she said aloud as she continued to walk around to find the real boy. Again she spotted him with his sword raised and stood in front him to petrify him but the mirage disappeared. This was madness. Frustration got the better of her and she went into a frenzy slashing and hacking with her powerful hands, only to destroy statues and scrape the column with deep claw marks. Breathing heavily, the Gorgon stopped and steadied herself.

    "Maybe I am seeing things. I am becoming more of a rabid monster striking at shadows than a woman with power." Medusa paused and considered the men her sisters fought and the mercenary leader she killed. Perhaps they were all carrying a form illness that infected only Medusa. She convinced herself to give up the pursuit. "Focus Medusa, go back to your cave and rest."

    Maybe sleep would cure her from the madness, but the feeling of the intruder still lingered. She knew she had seen someone entered the temple but she could not be sure. Could it have been sorcery that was tricking her senses? The excitement of the evening may have gotten to her or worse, she surmised, the mercenaries may have been carrying an affliction. Medusa could be suffering from a disease and this feverish hallucinate fury may have been a symptom. She turned abruptly and walked toward the back of the temple to the stairway leading to the cliff entrance of the cave. The boy may be long gone, she thought as she noticed she was very tired. She slowly walked up the stairs, leaving a befuddled Perseus in the temple.

    "Where is she going?" Perseus wondered as he watched from the back of the temple ready to strike. If Perseus was correct, Medusa was tired of the game and decided to withdraw. She would go to her cave where two more Gorgons would be waiting, possibly. He followed at a safe distance and made sure Medusa's back was in his direct line of sight.

* * *

    "There is nothing or no one here, Euryale. Whoever set these ships ablaze is gone," Stheno remarked disappointedly as she picked through the smoldering wood of the mercenary ships. Euryale galloped on all fours up next to her digging through the remains. She looked at the sky, the last rays of the sun disappearing over the horizon and first stars began to appear.

    "The hour is late, Stheno. If the boy did set these ships on fire, he has lessened his chances of leaving this island alive. His small boat is still tied to the tree over there." She pointed at the small boat as the waves crashed against it.

    With a long finger, Stheno scratched her chin and thought. "A diversion! He is in the temple hunting Medusa. We should fly back at once."

    "What is the hurry? One of us is a power to reckon with, but three? Folly!" Euryale boasted as she spotted a large dead fish wash up on the shore. She dashed after it before the waves took it back to the sea.

    "Take your dinner back to the cave! We will join our sister Medusa with all haste!" Stheno coiled up and then sprung herself in the air. Euryale gathered her dead fish and followed after her sister. Soon they arrived back at the cave and there was no sign of Medusa. They looked briefly around the cave until they heard Medusa's footsteps on the back stairs. She soon appeared at the mouth of the cave looking exhausted.

    "My sisters, there is an affliction upon us. I thought I saw the boy from the beach coming into the temple, however this was untrue. We should just rest ourselves-" The words stopped in mid-sentence as Medusa let out a gurgled cry.

    Perseus charged from behind Medusa and with his sword drawn. He brought the blade down unevenly on Medusa's collarbone and then tried to slice her throat. In so doing, Perseus severed three snakes and caused a nasty gash in her neck. Medusa felt blood welling in her mouth as she also felt a burning sensation where the vorpal blade sliced open her skin and throat. Perseus knew he had made a grave mistake. All it would take for Medusa to kill him was to simply turn around and turn him to stone before she choked on her own blood. He remembered Athena's warning about the integrity of the special sword as he would have one time to strike, maybe two. The translucent blade was already disintegrating. In frantic speed, Perseus slashed Medusa's throat from the opposite side, this time with a cleaner cut. The blade disappeared as it shattered in a glimpse of light, with only the hilt remaining.

* * *

    Medusa felt weightless for a moment until she realized that someone was pulling her head by her serpent hair. The young demigod called upon his unnatural strength to rip and pull Medusa's partially severed head off of her shoulders. Once it was pulled free, the headless body reached reflexively for its head only to find a plume of blood spurting into the air. All of this happened so quickly, the other Gorgon Sisters were stunned at the sight.

    Perseus, still wearing Hades helm, placed the Gorgon's head into a purse Athena provided. Then, as fast as he struck down Medusa, Perseus ran and flew into the sky. Medusa was dead and Perseus fulfilled his destiny. He only had to escape the two other Gorgons as they bellowed a cry of anguish over the death of their sister.

    "Medusa! Someone has slain our sister!" Euryale cried out loudly tugging at Medusa's decapitated body.

    "To flight Euryale. We will avenge our sister!" Stheno declared as they tore out of the cave in pursuit of Perseus.

    He resisted the temptation to look behind him. He knew the other demons would be fast on his trail. Perseus heard them close behind him and he thanked the gods that the sandals of Hermes reacted instantly to propel him quickly from the cave. However, the Gorgons managed to spot Perseus and gave chase. He looked to the sky and spied clouds floating in. He headed for them. Once inside, the magical helm produced a duplicate of himself with the purse and flew off in the opposite direction, west, as Perseus flew east, heading home to stop the wedding.

    Euryale and Stheno flew as fast as they could to catch Medusa's murderer, intent on dealing such pain unto him that he will beg for death but they would not grant it. Their bellows and shouts filled an artificially clouded sky as Perseus thanked Zeus for sending the sky and storm clouds to assist in his escape.

    As for Medusa, death tugged at her, but she did not die. While in the purse, Medusa heard another voice urging her to keep alive. It was not the first time a powerful internal voice asserted itself on her behalf. It would be years later until she would learn that she was joined with a demon from another dimension and it was the one responsible for her powers and fearsome appearance.

    She managed to utter a few words to Perseus, but they went unheard. Unconsciousness forced Medusa into a near-death state for many years to come. She would not be alive in the sense that was understood in modern times but trapped between realms of life and death.

End of Chapter 4

Copyright © 2020, thegorgonmedusa.com, Tyrone Ross
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CHAPTER 4
Herstory, Part One - The First Death

     The truth hit Jerimiah Clarke square in his face. He could not believe what he had just heard. He could not believe his eyes as to who was sitting across from him.

    Medusa, the Gorgon!

    All of the literature, movies and recreations were true to the fact that this creature, supposedly to have lived in the ancient times of Greece, was now living in the modern world of the 21ST century. Jerimiah could not believe it, yet the evidence was sitting right across from him, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York City, in the year 2012, serving him very good coffee. She took another sip of her exotic, blended coffee where Jerimiah took another large gulp and gently set the mug down. He looked at her and simply said, "This cannot be true!"

     Medusa smiled, "I assure you Mr. Clarke, I am the Gorgon Medusa. I've been alive well over 3000 years, counting the years from when I was born, cursed, beheaded and restored to life." She paused for moment and rubbed the base of her neck. "When I was murdered, some of my memory is a bit, I would say, dark. It is like fragments of a nightmare. I remember seeing faces of people I have petrified, but not recollecting who they were. My head was used as a weapon; hence the reason why many sought to kill me. In a sense, I was the weapon of mass destruction in the ancient times."

    "Even today I imagine," Jerimiah surmised. It was true. All of the technology, smart bombs and chemical warfare cannot compare with the eyes of the Gorgon.

     Medusa nodded in agreement. "This is one of the reasons why I have hidden my true identity. Can you imagine what would happen if it was generally known that a Gorgon walks the streets of New York City? The destruction can be only parallel to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah."

    Silence passed between them for a few moments. She used her vision to see into Jerimiah's body and realized he was calming down from the initial shock he had experienced and the polite conversation they were having. A thought blazed in her mind about the amulet he touched. With the power that flowed through him, he should have been unconscious but he was not. This archaeologist was an extraordinary being, worth investigation as he was investigating her. A mutual sharing of facts and information would benefit them both.

    "More coffee?" she asked.

    "Yes please," Jerimiah answered. Both mugs were refilled, mixed to acquired taste and conversation continued.

    "So where would you like me to begin?" Medusa asked from behind her raised mug.

    Jerimiah thought for a moment, not knowing how to answer the question. And then it hit him. "Well, the depictions in the movies and television shows, they were not at all accurate as far as the visual accounting of your form and demeanor were they?"

    Luckily, Medusa's eyes were hidden from Jerimiah's eyes. They flashed yellow in annoyance and her snakes hissed. She calmed herself down and even laughed. "No, they are incorrect. These movies make it easy to dispense with me by walking up behind me and taking my head. It is very difficult to sneak up on me, with several dozen eyes watching out over every direction possible. My skin, although soft to the touch, is hard and nearly impenetrable."

    "Like stone?"

    "No, more like marble," she responded with a smile. "More like a tough hide. Swords, axes and any other edged blades would not be able to cut, much less sever any part of me, including my mane of snakes. It would take a well forged blade and someone with out of this world strength to lacerate me, much less sever any part of me."

    "What of enchanted or vorpal blades? Do such things exist?" The question slipped out of his mouth as he realized such a question was foolish. A mystical being is sitting right across from him.

    "Yes they do exist. They are difficult to make and the blades are only good for one or two strikes. Such blades don't exist in this time and I thank God no one has the knowledge or power to do so."

    "But such knowledge is obtainable if you can find any ancient scrolls and other texts that have survived the centuries," Jerimiah surmised as he scratched his chin to think.

    Medusa smiled again. "And if you have the ability to translate the ancient knowledge, you can be extremely dangerous. One could change the course of the world if they had all of the right ingredients."

    "Are you saying magic and mystic arts can make a comeback in this age of technology?"

    "What is magic? If you take a smartphone to any ancient culture, they would label you a god, a shaman or devil. Magic is the ability to reshape the physical reality to suit your needs. Alchemy is the basis of all magic, as it were. You see me sitting before you, this is alchemy. I am the combination of a human female and a demon from Hell. The so-called gods used their knowledge to create this creature you see here before you and thousands of other mutations. Many more such creatures exist in the world. But many of them are not as you may think they are. For example, some of the movies portray me as a dragon demon. That is closer to my Gorgon sister Stheno than me."

    "Wait, there are three of you? Mythology got that much right." Jerimiah asked.

    "Yes, myself, Stheno, the eldest Gorgon was the first experiment if you will. Euryale was next. Both are hideous creatures and best used as sentinels and guardians. But you need someone to control them." She gestured to herself. "And this is where I came in. My task was to control my Gorgon sisters while guarding one of the entrances to the realm of Hades. Long ago, on the island we inhabited, there were temple ruins. It had long since been abandoned, transformed by the earthquakes and erosion of the seas, a combination of caves and manmade structures. It is the perfect environment to welcome trespassers who dare come to our home."

    "I think you are scaring Jerimiah again," the demon said within the mind of Medusa. "His heart rate is increasing. I don't think coffee and an interview with a Gorgon is a good combination."

    Medusa looked at her guest and the demon was right. Jerimiah was indeed nervous and his vitals were steadily on the rise. She had to relax him in such a way he could live past tonight.

    "I must apologize. Sometimes, I revert back to the demon guardian when I did not mind killing those who foolishly came searching for my head or the items I was guarding."

    "And when you were murdered, were you guarding treasure or your life?" Jerimiah boldly asked.

    "Ironically, I was guarding my life, but that incident did not happen as many would think."

    "How so?"

    Medusa leaned back in her chair and with her bronze nails, tapped the mug mindlessly as she recounted the events prior to her death. She turned her head toward Jerimiah who was on the edge of his seat waiting for a good story to be told.

    "I will tell you if you promise to keep these secrets about me to yourself. Not even your loved ones must ever know about my existence. I have worked so hard to keep it a secret, let alone make sure any clues did not point back to me. In this day and age of technology and information, such things in the wrong hands can be more deadly than my eyes."

    Jerimiah nodded at the statement. She was right, what would the government do, or any government do, if a monster from Greek mythology was alive and well. A whole new arms race may materialize and the world may suffer for it. He then frowned for a minute.

    "What is wrong?" Medusa asked.

    "Nothing, just that my girlfriend is the same woman you let into the Metropolitan this evening and had those incredible interviews with you."

    In genuine astonishment, Medusa's eyes widened. Luckily the shades still covered her eyes. "I thought there was something between you two. How long, may I ask?"

    "Five years. She is incredible but our careers keep us, sometimes, at different ends of the world and even in our relationship at different points of view. But still, we love each other and I can't think to keep this from her."

    Medusa nodded and then said simply, "Treat it as a non-disclosure agreement. She will understand that."

    "I guess, but I would like to share this revelation with her, but I do not know how she would react."

    "I am sure in time, we can tell her. It is that I do not trust her. I do not trust her profession completely."

    "Is that why you have done so few interviews under the guise of Cynthia Petrakis? Concerned someone may want to investigate more than they should?"

    "Sort of like yourself Mr. Clarke?" Medusa shot back.

    Jerimiah shrank into his chair embarrassed for a moment and then perked back up. "I understand. This will remain between us." He shifted in his seat to get comfortable.

    "What you have to remember about history, mythology and religion, facts are often distorted to suit the intent of the person who is entrusted with the information to pass on to the people. Whether they are servants, village inhabitants or for future trustees, guardians of information are often times tempted to omit or distort events as they have transpired. I have never done so nor will I ever. What I will tell, in all things, will be as they have happened. Besides, I have a photographic memory. Even before I was cursed and driven from the temple of Athena, I can remember all the way back to my family in a small village when I was three years old. This memory I have can be a burden and a blessing. I can remember every day when I served as high priestess, the time with my Gorgon sisters, the years since the island to five minutes ago. I have so many stories to pass on and recount, except for the time of course my head was severed but I do remember the faces." She leaned forward. "Which do you wish to hear about first?"

    The archaeologist had a moment of pause. Over three thousand years of history from a being that may have experienced some of mankind's pivotal moments. But only one event came to mind. "Tell me about the day you were murdered, the day Perseus severed your head from your shoulders."

    "Of course, that would be an ideal place to start, since any information about me centers around that incident. First let me say that Perseus was not a powerful demigod or some fearless warrior. He was a scared boy and did not have any skills as a warrior. His help came from the Zeus and Athena. That part is correct, but the events and circumstances were far different." She paused, took a deep breath. "On a dreary day off the coast of North Africa…"

North African Island Region, Realm of Hades, 1545 BC

    In the ancient days of Greece, the Olympic gods held dominion over the realm of Greece or more specifically the kingdom of Greece. However, most rulers and warlords would like to believe they were the ones who could decide the fate of their subjects as easily as the gods themselves. Such thought was blasphemy to the gods of Mount Olympus and were dealt with accordingly.

    One blasphemy was the case of the Medusa, former high priestess to Athena. She was once a beautiful woman sworn to a vow of chastity and to perform the duties of high priestess in her temples. Not only was she exiled to the desolate isles of North Africa, but cursed with the ability to turn all living beings into stone by looking into her eyes. Hissing serpents replaced her once beautiful black hair; cold gray skin replaced her flawless soft, skin and bronze nails protruded from the tips of her fingers and toes; truly a monster to behold with deadly results. This has been the consequence of the curse and exile for 150 years; a curse Medusa wished it would come to an end.

    Living in banishment on a desolate isle, she considered it could be a worse torture than any being could endure, had it not been for the company of the other two Gorgon creatures who were just as deadly as Medusa: Stheno, the first Gorgon created by the lesser gods of Olympus. She was the exemplification of terror! She partially looked like a human female from the neck down to her stomach. Below she possessed the body of a serpent with a split tail and stingers at each end. Her hands were gnarled and the tips of fingers sprouted bronze claws capable of ripping flesh from bone in one stroke. She also possessed a mane of hissing, poisonous vipers. The difference between her and Medusa is Stheno was capable of flight due to her large insect like wings with a span of twenty feet. Her eyes had the ability to kill, but not turn one to stone. When someone looked into those hateful, burning eyes, the victim would burn from within, spontaneous combustion of the flesh leaving the charred remains of the victim frozen still in pain. Only the eyes, which Stheno happily feasted on, remained in the ashen remnants of the skull. If this deadly monster did not have enough defenses at her disposal, her skin, smooth as marble, excreted acid from her pores and burn as fire to any that was foolish enough to touch her. Stheno also possessed two mouths on her left and right side of her face. Both can speak two different thoughts at once, mostly thoughts of death and battle.

    The next Gorgon, just as deadly as Stheno, was Euryale the malformed. The distinguishing feature of this Gorgon is the shape of her head: the right side is larger than the left. The right eye was the size of an almond whereas the left the size of grapefruit. These odd eyes caused the flesh of those who look at them to boil, blister and melt off of bones, leaving a bloody, motionless skeleton. At times Euryale will crawl on all fours, her hind legs shaped like that of a wolf, her forearms shorter than her legs, giving her the natural ability to walk upright with ease. Her wings resembled bat wings and capable of sustained fight. Euryale's tactic when attacking trespassers would be to barrel into them, knocking them into the ground and engaging them in physical combat. More animal and brawler than her other two sisters, but none the less deadly, Euryale was considered to also be a gentle creature if not encouraged or antagonized into violence.

    Medusa, regarding her sisters, stirred a large boiling pot of stewed vegetables. Since being exiled, her eating habits drastically changed. As a human high priestess, she was used to eating the best cuts from wild and captive game animals, fishing in the seas near the temple. However, with her ability to turn anything or anyone to stone by looking into their eyes, eating meat was not possible if she prepared it herself. The only animals that dared exist on the island with Gorgons were insects and rats. Fish were scarce along the shore and Medusa refused to take up eating vermin and pestilence. Those delicacies were reserved for Euryale and sometimes Stheno when she desired to eat.

    "One hundred, fifty years," she muttered to herself as she stirred and added herbs to the boiling mix. It was one hundred years since Athena banished Medusa from her temple and forced her to be the guardian of the other Gorgon monsters. One hundred, fifty years of relative solitude as anyone who dared come to the island was mutilated, incinerated or turned to stone. The courtyard of the Gorgon's lair littered with the bodies of hundreds of men coming in search of a Gorgon's head as a prize. Instead they became monuments to their futile efforts.

    Medusa shrugged her shoulders and considered it could be worse as she could have been all alone with no one to speak to, except for a graveyard of statues. But she took her company in stride. For she knew with her curse came with outwardly powers of savagery, the ability to stop anyone in their tracks was a power even the gods had to envy. But it begged the question, why would they give this power away and not keep it for themselves?

    "Why do the gods exist only to be curse on all things?" Medusa muttered over boiling kettle. She woke a sleeping Stheno, who uncoiled herself, yawned with her to vicious mouths and looked over to Medusa.

    "Are you still pining away about the gods, dear sister? I would think after a century, you would come to grips with it," Stheno hissed from her right mouth, her left mouth cackled.

    "Yes Stheno, it has been over a century since I came here to be steward over you and Euryale. What is to become of the greatest destructive power this world will ever know? Is it to simply rot on this isle and pick off foolish men who dare to set foot on our province?"

    "You are right, what is to become of us if we do not seize the world for our own. You know the way to Olympus, you can take your revenge and the world will be yours." Stheno raised herself in encouragement, her serpent rasping in agreement.

    Medusa looked at Stheno with a cold stare. "For several years we have attempted to get off of this island with no results. Flight, sailing, even digging our way to freedom has proved useless! The gods, however imperfect as they truly are, know how to trap any being in their web of fate. Even humans are held more deeply in their sway than we are."

    "But you know their ways, Medusa. You know how to beat them! For why else would that bitch Athena give you more power than she has herself? You are meant to destroy her!"

    In yet another series of arguments that went nowhere, Medusa said nothing for a long while as she tasted her vegetable stew. Satisfied, she then prepared a bowl for herself and began to eat. The others never partook of Medusa's stew; their diet was unusual to say the least. Euryale seemed to constantly eat whereas Stheno had been known to go without eating for months on end. Medusa sat on her small cot and ate a few more mouthfuls before she spoke again.

    "My sister, until we figure a way of releasing ourselves from this island, the goals of revenge and conquest will have to wait. It is not the gods I fear, but humans. In great numbers they pose a grave threat to us. Though we can slaughter them by the hundreds, they can eventually swarm and overpower us. We could be buried underneath their stone, ashen and skeletal remains and eventually die." Taking a few more sips, Medusa continued. "Besides, we need to find a way of separating the gods from their blind, naive worshipping humans and then we can rule the world!"

    "Find a way soon my sister. I cannot wait another one hundred years before you act!" Stheno hissed.

    Medusa raised one eyebrow at Stheno who had both of her mouths open in protest of Medusa's plan. She quickly shrank back in her corner when the look of disapproval was evident on Medusa's face. If looks could kill, and in the case of the Gorgons it was true, Medusa would slay Stheno a dozen times over. None of them knew why when they stared at each other their respective Gorgon's gaze did not harm the other. All the better they supposed. Truly, Medusa was not in the mood for another argument about the decimation of the gods. If their time was to come, the plan must be infallible and executed without hesitation.

    The sound of claws scraping stone entered the high cave in which the sisters shared refuge. Euryale climbed into space with several dead rats and in her hand and one large hawk clenched between her jaws. She tossed the decapitated rats to her sister Stheno, who smiled and began eating right away. "Look at what I caught, a messenger hawk from a faraway kingdom! It must have gotten lost in the storm from last night. Poor thing." Euryale bit into its feathered torso as she tossed the message to Medusa. She unfurled it and read the message.

    "It is just a message from a King Ballor to Queen Felna. It seems this hawk was to deliver a message of peace and mutual trade. Well, it looks like both of these nations will soon be going to war." Stheno and Medusa shared a laugh as they continued to eat. Euryale looked at them in confusion but just kept eating the hawk.

    "So what did I miss while I was hunting?" Euryale asked as she spat out brown feathers from the hawk.

    "The same old argument: When will we destroy the gods," Medusa answered.

    Euryale sighed and then said, "I am beginning to agree with Stheno, Medusa. We are powerful enough to stop any power set against us. Tell me you relish staying here on this island with us. I know you harbor a deep affection for your two sisters."

    Medusa had always known of the curious personalities of the demons she shared refuge with. Stheno always plotted and waited for an opportunity; Euryale sided with whoever made the most persuasive argument but expressed no opinion of her own. Medusa herself was the true "brains of the outfit". She was getting tired of the same old conversation. Killing off warriors, mercenaries and fortune seekers was becoming repetitive and uneventful. Mortal men could not stand against one Gorgon, let alone three. Deep down she began to waver. "Perhaps the two of you are right. I believe the time is upon-"

    A psychic tremor flowed through Medusa that made her drop her bowl of soup. She stood up quickly and walked to the entrance of the cave. She looked down into the temple from the mountain they inhabited with her Gorgon eyes and saw only the stoned statues of their victims. She then gazed at the beach and then to the sea. Her sight revealed nothing but the feeling was undeniable. Something summoned her attention like never before.

    "What is it Medusa?" asked Stheno as she swallowed another headless rat.

    "I hear my name on the winds. Someone seeks to challenge me. I smell arrogance and fear at the same time. A fool, a young boy, travels to seek my counsel in death, I will oblige him!" Upon hearing Medusa's comments of an impending visitor, Stheno and Euryale howled in anticipation of a battle. Even Medusa had to smile, although she has been cursed, the prospect of destroying yet another minion of the gods appealed to her.

* * *

    Thirteen days later, Medusa, Stheno and Euryale patrolled the temple courtyard waiting for their potential quarry. Stheno and Euryale, once excited about a possible good kill, were presently bored.

    "When is this boy, as you say, coming for you Medusa? Are you sure it was your name on the winds? Or are you finally going mad?" Stheno's comments caused Medusa to let lose a growl in agitation. She was right, where was this boy?

    Then, the sound of footsteps reached her ears and Medusa ran up to high terrace in the old temple and looked toward the beach. A young boy from a small village in Greece tied his boat to a trunk of a dead tree on the shore. He wore simple sandals, a short toga and tattered red cloak. He carried a small shield, a short sword and shook with frayed nerves. "Hardly worth killing," Medusa thought aloud. "Why was I so worked up about this young man child?"

    Stheno and Euryale joined their sister on the terrace. "Well, a small man child. I have not killed one so young but this is a perfect opportunity to do so," said Stheno.

    Euryale was also excited at the prospect of hunting down someone so young. His flesh would definitely be the sweetest she would have the opportunity to taste. Medusa was not feeling so inclined to dispense with him.

    "No, my sisters. This one is too small to be concerned with our attention. Let him go," Medusa ordered.

    Stheno protested. "I refuse to let this boy go. If he came looking for you, let him pay the price with his life."

    "I said no, Stheno. I have no interest in killing this boy. I will give him a chance to flee with his life. If he decides a more, foolish path then you and Euryale can have him."

    Medusa found a discarded spear, a light colored rag and bit her forefinger. She wrote a message on the cloth in her blood and then tied it to the spear. Then with a smooth warrior motion she launched the spear toward the beach.

* * *

    The boy who came to the isle of the Gorgons was named Perseus. His quest was to bring the head of Medusa as a wedding gift in order to stop the wedding of his mother Danaë to King Polydectes, who would most likely have him killed once his mother was his consort. His knowledge of Medusa was limited, which made him regret not consulting with the gods before he left on the journey. He tied his boat to a dead tree and then set out onto the beach. The area leading up to the courtyard and temple was deathly quiet, in the mid-day haze he could make out the shapes of people. Not people exactly but of human figures frozen and turned to stone!

    Perseus swallowed hard and slowly made his way up the beach and onto the courtyard when out of nowhere a spear struck the ground near his feet. Startled, he jumped back several feet and drew his sword. He looked around but then realized that looking around was an easy way to die staring at a Gorgon. His senses didn't hear or see anything moving about as the youth approached the spear. At its center was some type of parchment tied to the shaft. Realizing it could be a message to him, Perseus untied the parchment very carefully as he thanked his mother for the education of reading. The message written in the Modern Greek language, read:

    You are a foolish, young boy that hasn't lived the years to learn what foolishness truly means. I offer you the opportunity to leave my island and in return no harm will befall you. No other warning will be given, no mercy will be granted if you choose to follow your current, unwise course.

    The note was signed "Medusa" and written in blood. Again Perseus looked around very cautiously and thought he should retreat. He feared that if he did not return with the head of Medusa, he may be killed and his mother may be under the sway of King Polydectes forever. His heart was pounding hard in his chest. Medusa knew he was on the beach. She also knew of his purpose. After reading the warning delivered by a spear and not having any other means to win, failure was too much a reality for him to accept. The assistance from the wind sprites told Perseus in which direction to find the island in which the Gorgons dwelt but no other help came. Perseus looked at the spear and then at the message. He immediately turned around and ran for his life back to his boat, dropping his small shield and sword on the sand.

    From upon the terrace overlooking the courtyard Medusa smiled and laughed. "You see, my sisters, it is possible to grant anyone mercy who follows sane advise. This one was too small to challenge us and not worth our time."

    Stheno's mouths let out a sigh as she slithered from the terrace and into the cave. Euryale stared after her sister and then to Medusa. "Are you sure we should let him go, perhaps it was the gods who sent him-"

    "If the gods did," Medusa started, seething with anger. "They should have sent a warrior, or better still, dozens of warriors to even challenge the Gorgons. It is an insult to even consider this boy was ever a challenge."

    Euryale recoiled at the rebuke but then stood back up and faced Medusa. Without saying another word, Euryale walked back to the cave and positioned herself to sleep. Medusa continued to watch the beach and boy get ready to sail from the island. The position of the sun in the sky told Medusa night was about to fall and she thought to retire herself. Another day without incident or redemption, she thought. Perhaps Stheno's plan of leaving the island would be best, if no other reason than to put an end to their mundane life, curse or no.

* * *

    Perseus began to untie his boat at the beach shore. Between panic and his overworked mind pondering his mother's plight back home, Perseus just wanted to leave as quickly as possible. Suddenly, Perseus noticed three mid-size ships with red sails approaching the beach. Several men from each vessel descended into the murky shallow water and pulled on ropes of their respective ships to beach them, while the rest of the crew and passengers disembarked. Perseus counted thirty-six men, all of them heavily armed and armored from head to toe. Some men bore swords and shields, others with long impaling spears, and a few with bows and arrow. A curious sight was to see eight men carrying long chains with large hooks at one end and an iron ball at the other. They seem to be from the Far East, Perseus surmised. Looking at the men assembled, he saw Greek countrymen, and desert nobles, several dark skinned warriors and the rest looked as if they came from fog lands to the north.

    Marauders, fortune seekers, mercenaries, all of them gathered in a circle with the leader in the middle. He walked up to every man and saluted each one of them, talked to a few of them, even addressing them by their names. Perseus was not able to hear the individual conversations but he did hear the leader, a Greek man wearing a silver breast plate, red robes underneath, and holding a long sword. He raised it and addressed his group.

    "Never has a finer collection of killers ever been assembled as I see here today," the leader said, many agreeing with him. "Tonight we have come to this fabled island to kill witches and demons. Their heads will be mounted on the bows of our ships and we will journey to all corners of the earth conquering and destroying all who oppose us. We will establish a new nation and the gods will not dare to interfere with us!"

    Cheers rose up from all of the men. They could not know what horror awaited them. The notion of glory and power had blinded them to fact they would all die horrible deaths. Some of the men cheered their mission, others called out his name, Tiber! Spears raised, swords clattered on shields and chains rattled. These seekers of fame long announced their arrival onto the island. Perseus shook his head in despair. "Fools! Damn fools all of you!"

* * *

    Medusa could not agree more with Perseus as she rallied her sisters and watched the mercenaries from the balcony. What would have been a quiet, uneventful evening now will become a night of death! Stheno's mouths drooled as she was savoring the prospect of battle. Thirty-six men were slowly walking to their deaths as they made their way into the courtyard. Medusa analyzed how the men were progressing into the courtyard: dispersed and spread out, some of them moved in groups of four or five. Eight of them had chains and hooks carried in a ready-to-throw grasp. Two of the men with spears hung all the way behind to bring up the rear, possibly to prevent anyone from escaping, Gorgon or mercenary. Medusa focused on the leader Tiber and suddenly had an overwhelming urge to speak with him personally. The other mercenaries were no concern to her.

    "Stheno, Euryale," Medusa spoke with a calm and quiet voice. "Kill the others except the one in the red and silver costume. Dispose of them as you see fit, but make sure the leader and I are alone in the temple."

    Both Gorgons smiled and bowed their heads to Medusa as they flew from the terrace. Medusa wanted to watch from above to see the action. A small part of her did not wish the death of the mercenaries, but her darker more enigmatic side had no sympathy for them. She granted mercy to one boy, now thirty six men were about to die.

* * *

    Two men stood with spears at the ready at the edge of the courtyard, keeping as calm and steady as best they could. They watched their comrades maneuver slowly through the maze of statues, piles of ash and skeletons. A foul smell rose up to greet them; it reeked of death and thirty-four men moved about with caution. The guards to the rear kept alert and were ready to react to any situation. Unfortunately, they were not ready for the Gorgon Euryale creeping up on them on all fours. Her snakes were quiet, wings folded back she moved within three feet of them before standing to her full height.

    Smiling, she noted that the two men were not aware of her stealth approach. Then in one sweeping motion, she grabbed them by the throats, squeezing them like vices as to not let any sound of an alarm escape their lips. She dragged them onto the ground for a minute before flying off with them. The two men fought against her grip all the while she flew away from the courtyard out sight of the remaining men and deposited them on a ledge away from the temple and their cave. She kept her head down but fought them, as if she was playing with her prey, she was. The two mercenaries, both with blood dripping from their mouths unable to speak or cry out, drew their swords and attacked Euryale furiously. Hacking and slashing wildly, they fought for their lives but Euryale merely laughed as she dodged the attacks.

    Finally, after she had her fun with them, sharp claws found their mark and from their throats to lower abdomen as she viciously slashed both men. Blood poured from the gaping wound as the two mercenaries collapsed in a heap. With no hope of escaping, they looked at their tormentor for mercy who gladly returned their gaze. The bruised and battered flesh of the two mercenaries separated from their bones, leaving them in a frozen state of pain and horror. The Gorgon left the corpses to attend to the other invaders.

    "Two killed, thirty-three to go," she whispered to herself in amusement.

    Stheno slithered on her belly silently while watching the marauders penetrate further into their domain. She did not curse them for invading; rather she thanked them for providing sport and a possible meal of their eyes. As the sun began to set, the marauders used torches to provide light for their search. Stheno stayed in the shadows as it was a good hiding place for the Gorgon. She circled them quietly noting their positions, postures and weapons they carried. All of them were afraid but foolish courage drove them to hunt the Gorgons. The leader was of particular interest to Stheno but Medusa picked him as her victim. A pity she thought, but there were plenty of other warriors she could destroy. All the better for her as killing human men was a pastime she enjoyed. With no restraints, save for the leader, she may do as she pleased, but inducing more fear in her prey is what she did best.

    After she made the locations of the men, she waited in the shadows listening for Euryale to enter the inner court yard and take up her position opposite her sister. Their plan was to split up the hunters and pick them off one by one, a few at a time. A slight rustling sound, which the men would mistake for dead leaves blowing in the wind, was Euryale. She waited for Stheno to make her move and then the sport would commence. Stheno picked out four men with swords and shields and decided to attack them first. They stood by a large support column waiting and watching the shadows for any movement. Their tactic might have worked if they were staring to the left instead of the right, from which Stheno made her quiet approach. Crawling on her belly, she slid behind the column and brought her body upright, her two tail spikes at the ready. Then both mouths opened to let loose both a high pitch scream and a deep howl.

    The noise startled all of the men in the inner courtyard and Stheno's tail struck two of the men on the edge in the throats and then she swung around the column so fast, the two remaining men fell to her brutal slashing just as they caught the eyes of the Gorgon and were turned to frozen ashen skeletons.

    Tiber turned to see the aftermath of the deaths of four of his men and spied a creature disappearing into the shadows. "Over there!" he yelled pointing. The men with the chains and hooks crouched low and crawled in the general direction when from behind them. Euryale charged and rammed herself into the larger group, knocking a dozen mercenaries off their feet. As she ran, she grabbed two more men, dragging them off into the shadows to meet the same fate as the two spearmen. The inner courtyard and the temple entrance were filled with the sound of men dying and the Gorgons making their first kills.

    Medusa watched from within the temple worship area with intrigue and revulsion. For an instant, she thought what would become of her if these two decided to turn against her. Would she be a match for their savagery? Could she muster her own in order to survive? "Yes you can!" A powerful, internal voice answered and provided no further information. Who or what was that, she thought. The sounds of men shrieking brought her back to the matter at hand. Soon there will be one and she will be happy to dispense with him once she had gotten all of the information from him.

    "Shri, take out the torches on the walls and columns. Tell the rest of assassins to ready their chains. We will have two monsters to kill here first and then we will stalk the third one!" Tiber ordered the man who was in lead of the chainmen.

    The masked man bowed and then signaled with his hands the instructions from Tiber. As quickly as the Gorgons were moving, the eight chain men destroyed the torches in the inner courtyard and evened the odds a bit in their favor. More than half of the men they came with were now dead the chainmen took to their stealth skills and focused on serpent Stheno. If they could isolate and possibly kill her, Euryale would be easier to deal with.

    For a few nerve racking minutes, the area was quiet. Everyone strained their hearing to lock on the slightest noise: snakes hissing, men breathing, hearts pounding. The Gorgons had an advantage of seeing in the dark, not as well as Medusa, but the invaders did not know that. The chainmen drew closer to Stheno's last position. To not make their efforts seem in vain, she never moved from the column where she killed two more mercenaries. Instead she wrapped her long body around the upper part of the column so her upper torso and arms were free to strike any wondered close to her position. The wait was not long as one chainmen walked right in front of her. She raised her bloody, clawed hand and grasped the chainman around the neck and lifted him off his feet. When she finally slashed him, the man let out a scream in pain but from the pitch, Stheno deduced he was not male, but female. For a moment Stheno was beside herself, both mouths open in astonishment. Her hatred of males was such that she needed no encouragement to kill them. But this female she just mortally injured gave her a moment of pause. In one instant she wanted to let her go and let her die peaceably but she finally decided to finish the job. Her hands clawed the female body until the flesh was completely stripped from her bones.

    "They use women to hunt other women," Stheno's left mouth uttered while she tore the chainman…chainwoman to shreds.

    "Her fate should not be as merciful as the other males she arrived with," the right mouth spat.

    Her focus on the one chainman led the others to zero in on her position and with unerring accuracy, seven iron chains found their mark. One chain wrapped around her neck, another around her right wrist, dropping the remains of their comrade, one chain around her wing. With all of their might, the chainmen pulled Stheno down from the column and wrapped the other end of the chains around nearby columns. She thrashed about, screaming and howling, trying to free herself. Regardless of her super strength, she was unable to break the hold of the chains pulled on her in different directions. For the moment, she was trapped and could not escape.

    Tiber heard the chainmen cheer in victory as they had one Gorgon trapped. "Quickly, all of you rally to the chainmen and kill the beast," Tiber shouted. With his sword drawn, Tiber ran to their position but from behind them, what felt like a battering ram, Euryale ran through the men that were descending upon the trapped Stheno.

    The sounds of swords cutting hard flesh, Stheno screaming while being restrained and Euryale fighting with the mercenaries filled the temple as Medusa observed the mêlée with interest. This was probably the first time in decades did warriors present a real threat to the Gorgons. The possibility of Stheno and Euryale being killed was something Medusa could not allow. Darkness prevented her sisters from bringing their gaze to bear on the mercenaries; light would turn the tide in their favor. Medusa reached for a torch that was near her and lit it. Then she ran as fast as she could into the fray and lit the extinguished torches closest to Stheno and Euryale. With the inner courtyard lit, the two Gorgons used their powers and turned the rest of the mercenaries to ash and rotting bones.

    Tiber was slammed face first on the temple floor after Euryale battered into his back. It took him a moment to get himself orientated as his ears were ringing and his eyesight blurry. With his right hand, he felt his head and it confirmed what his body told him. He was injured and bleeding from his head. Slowly he sat up and ripped his red robe into bandages and tended to his wounds. When he was ready, his senses seemed to come back to him as he heard the two Gorgons curse and scream as one of them sought to undo the chains the chainmen used to restrain Stheno. Tiber's hearing also told him that none of his men were alive. The smell of new death permeated in his nose. He was all alone with two monsters that were not too happy with the mercenary lot. He scarcely heard a third person walk about the temple. Quickly he tied one more bandage around his eyes as to prevent looking into the eyes of the Gorgon Medusa. He picked up his sword and shield and slowly backed deeper into the temple. He knew there was no way of running out from this place. He would make his last stand here!

    "They hurt me, sisters. Never has anyone dared to rip my skin," Stheno said as she removed the chains from her neck. Euryale untied the chains latched around her sister's wing and threw them to the floor. The naga Gorgon extended and stretched her body to alleviate the pain and strain from the temporary bondage.

    "Do not worry Stheno," Medusa said in calm voice. "You and Euryale have managed to kill all of the mercenaries who came seeking death, now I wish to speak to their leader. Alone." She turned to her injured sister. "Go. Rest and recuperate."

    Stheno and Euryale nodded and left the courtyard and returned to the cave. Medusa turned her attention to the leader and walked into the temple. Her vision spotted the leader off in a corner, attempting to hide in the shadows. She noted his eyes were covered with a red cloth. "That will not help him," she uttered to herself.

    Tiber heard footsteps enter the area and began to move in a circular pattern away from them, hoping to work his way to getting behind her. His sword and shield at the ready to defend him from attack.

    "I must say, brave mercenary, you mounted an impressive campaign to do battle with the Gorgons. Your men should be commended for injuring Stheno. I thought it impossible but you were prepared for a battle against us. Were you not prepared for death? It seems to be the only outcome of your venture," Medusa said as she moved among the statues, scraping her bronze nails on them as she passed.

    "I told those I recruited that some of them will not come back, but the reward of your head was worth the sacrifice," Tiber replied continuing to moving away.

    "Worth the sacrifice? All of you could have lived long prosperous lives or to fight in a glorious battle for your homes, your people, your lands. Instead you will be damned to Hades flames. I will see to it personally."

    "Oh come now Medusa, are you not tired of living on this island with those demons? Surely that death can be your release from this miserable life. And in return I can use your head to rule the world. Both of us can profit."

    The audacity of this mercenary was amusing. Had this been fifty years ago, Medusa may have surrendered to death and allowed herself to be beheaded. But now, she had a purpose to bring about the destruction of the gods. This mortal was just an impediment to be removed.

    "Truly, my head? What will you do with such a powerful weapon? You cannot mount it on a spear; you will petrify all who see it, enemies and allies alike. You cannot fix it to your vessel; you will destroy every living creature that sails in your path. You, my dear mercenary, will be a pariah to all man. Is this the future you wish, all alone with just your prize? I doubt that." Medusa walked behind Tiber who was still making his way through the statues, feeling the conversation was about to end she moved within striking distance. He heard the serpents from Medusa's hair and moved away.

    The two of them "danced" through the statues as he tried to get a clean sword strike at the Gorgon's head. Medusa tried to get in close enough to look into his eyes, despite his eyes were covered by the red blindfold. Then fate stepped in. Tiber bumped and then tripped over a statue of a Spartan soldier. It toppled over and the statue shattered to bits. He fell and rolled attempting to put distance between himself and his quarry but rolled into Medusa, who in turn grabbed him by his throat and lifted him off of the ground. With his opposite hand he swung the sword but Medusa caught his hand and wrenched the sword from his bloody grip.

    "I would ask you to join the other statues in my garden, but you are someone I would rather not have in my collection," Medusa hissed as she tore away the blindfold, scratching his face. His wide eyes found Medusa's and Tiber let out a scream that was quickly silenced by the curse turning him to stone from the inside out. Still lifted above her head, Medusa tossed wounded the mercenary away against the wall to crash and explode into pieces just as the horrible gaze completed its work. The domain of the Gorgons was devoid of intruders.

* * *

    Perseus scrambled onto the ships of the mercenaries looking for better weapons. He did not arm himself to attack the Gorgons but to have them ready in case Medusa changed her mind and came looking for the boy after the group of mercenaries invaded their temple. The screams and howls coming from the lair followed by deathly silence told Perseus all thirty-six men met their fates. How long would it be before the Gorgons would come out and search the beach for any other intruders? Perseus stumbled around on the larger vessel looking for enough armament to protect himself from possible attack. If he was able to, he would put the abandoned mercenary ship to sea he could sail away, maybe dock his boat at Seriphos and steal his mother Danaë in the night. Foolish thinking, he thought. Escape was the only thing on his mind. Afterwards he would deal with his other problems.

    "PERSEUS! STOP!" A loud voice commanded the boy to be still. From the clouds appeared thunder and lightning. Perseus was about to tremble in fear when a pillar of light appeared before him.

    "Be still my brother, I am Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, daughter of Zeus. I will not allow you to flee in fear. You are on a very brave and important quest to save your mother. Do not let fear keep you from your destiny."

    "How can we be related," Perseus asked. "Am I a god as well?"

    "A demigod, half man and half god. You have strength that flows from our father Zeus." The column of light was replaced with a woman with blond hair twisted pinned above her shoulders, white skin, red striking lips and she wore a mixture of golden armor and white flowing robes. Athena was a beautiful as Perseus imagined any god to be. "I will give you the tools you will need to defeat Medusa and save your mother."

    Perseus' eyes brimmed up with tears and he knelt. "I hope one of those tools is courage because I heard the death screams of thirty-six men and I cannot hope to win Medusa's head-"

    "Be still!" Athena commanded. She looked at Perseus shaking and then grasped him by the shoulders and lifted him to his feet. "You have the courage and the desire to overcome the impossible. And with the weapons forged by the gods at your command, I imagine you can slay all three, but one Gorgon's head will be sufficient."

    Athena waved her hand about and a small, swirling energy vortex appeared between them. She reached in and withdrew a short sword with a translucent blade. "This is a vorpal blade. This blade can cut through anything that comes in contact with, but it has limited use. You can only use it once or twice to find your mark. Strike quickly or you will suffer her wrath."

    Perseus took the blade and sheathed it in a sword holster he discovered on the mercenaries vessel. Athena placed her hand in the vortex again. "This is an enchanted shield. It will protect your from any brute force and also makes a great weapon to smite and bash your enemies with. Also, the reflective surface on the inside will enable you to look at any Gorgon should you need to. You will not suffer their gaze."

    He took the shield in his left hand and stood proud. "These sandals are from Hermes. They will enable you to fly back across the seas in time to save your mother Danaë. When you are ready to take flight, they will spring forth wings and carry you up in the air."

    Perseus took the pair of golden sandals and slipped them onto his feet. On each side of the sandal possessed embossed wings that folded over his bare feet. They felt so comfortable Perseus knew he could walk on air.

    "Finally," Athena continued. "This helm was forged by Hades during our battle with the Titans long ago. It can cast a reflection of yourself ahead of you or behind you to make your enemies strike at an illusion, giving you the opportunity to kill your foe. This is the power of the Helm of Invisibility. This will protect you from the Gorgon's sight as they possess the uncanny ability to see in the darkness as well through any shroud you try to cloak yourself in. She will be upon you instantly before you can try to fight." Athena closed the portal as he took the helmet and placed on his head. He snapped the protective face plate down over his eyes to complete the ensemble. She smiled at him and placed her hands on his shoulders.

    "You are ready my young brother. The blessings of the gods are with you. I ask one thing of you."

    "What can I do to for you my goddess? How can I repay you for all you have done for me?" Perseus asked as he bowed at the waist.

    Athena smiled with malicious intent. "When you have taken the head of Medusa from her shoulders and present it to the King Polydectes and his court, bring the head to my temple, the Parthenon, and leave the shrouded head at the altar. This will be payment to me for my assistance. I trust you will not fail because you have so much at stake.

    In a flash of brief light, she was gone. He made sure he was not hallucinating when he looked at the new weapons Athena had blessed him with. He was now ready to take on the Gorgon Medusa.

* * *

    Euryale poured fresh, clean water into a goblet for herself and some for Stheno as they settled into their sleeping areas in the cave above the temple. The wounds dealt by the mercenary chainmen were healed and no scars appeared on her acidic skin. Memories of the fight still occupied both Gorgons as they compared notes on who killed the most. They snapped, hissed and laughed at each other. Medusa arrived at the cave entrance looking angered and tired from dealing with the last mercenary. Stheno noticed her sister's lament and slithered over to her.

    "What is it my sister?" Medusa looked at Stheno and Euryale.

    "I think it is time we plan for the destruction of the gods. They will continue to send men after us in order to kill us for their trophies," Medusa said in anger, the snakes in her hair responding to her mood.

    "Women will also join the fray," Stheno added. "I killed a female human, so it is no longer men just seeking our heads and hides."

    Medusa turned to face her. "Then death to them all and to their gods. We will plan Stheno. We will plan their destruction. Even Hades will bow to the Gorgon Sisters!"

    With clenched raised fist, Stheno and Euryale joined their sister. Stheno secretly was elated Medusa had finally seen her point of view and finally the rivers will run with blood, ash and stone. Euryale was also delighted, which meant Medusa and Stheno would no longer argue on a topic they would never see eye to eye if the day's attack had not occurred. However they will most likely argue on how to put their plan of destruction into action. At least for one night it will be quiet in the cave. She sniffed the air and then walked to the edge of the cave and looked down. She directed her sight to the beach where large plumes of black smoke bellowed from red flames. The three ships of the mercenaries had arrived in burst into flames. Medusa and Stheno joined their sister at the ledge.

    "What could have caused those ships to simply combust? There was no lightening in the skies and we killed all of the mercenaries," Stheno surmised.

    "Go to the beach and investigate, I will check the temple and courtyard for any additional intruders," Medusa said as all three left the sanctuary of their cave.

    Below in the courtyard, behind the several stone statues of warriors, Perseus crouched behind them waiting for any Gorgon to appear so he could attack or evade them. Setting the mercenary ships on fire should draw out the Gorgons. A noise brought his attention to the reflection in his shield. Two winged creatures flew quickly to the beach where he set the ships aflame. Only one remained behind. "Medusa," he whispered to himself. He stood up then walked backwards into the temple. He began a methodical search through the courtyard for his target...

* * *

    Medusa's eyes revealed that the boy, whom she granted mercy to earlier in the day, had made his way into the courtyard and was now entering the temple. He was armed with weapons and seemed to have a godly presence about him. "The gods have empowered this boy to carry out his mission to take my head. He will be first to die in our conquest of the Olympians," the Gorgon said to herself as she made her way into the temple.

    She moved through the maze of columns and statues looking for the boy. Several times she thought see saw him and then he just disappeared. Perseus moved in the opposite direction, making sure he kept his eyes on the shadows and on the reflection. Twice he saw her reflection, once far away and the other close to him. Both times he noticed the reflection had no eyes. Curiosity almost caused him to turn and look to see if the eyes were really there, but that would mean his death. He continued to lead Medusa into a position that would enable him to strike her down in one flash of his sword. Perseus had only one chance to strike!

    Medusa circled a petrified group of Greek soldiers she made sixty-two years earlier. This group landed on the isle of the Gorgons accidentally during a violent storm. The five men and their squires huddled in the temple for warmth from the storm hoping to leave when the downpours let up. Medusa was in the grip of her curse and was sought them out for help. Upon venturing into the temple to offer help and seeking assistance for herself, she petrified all of them. One soldier drew his sword in attempt to kill Medusa with a lunging thrust. His attempt died in vain as the blade never touched the intended target.

    She came up behind Perseus and slashed at him but her hand went through him. "An apparition," she said aloud as she continued to walk around to find the real boy. Again she spotted him with his sword raised and stood in front him to petrify him but the mirage disappeared. This was madness. Frustration got the better of her and she went into a frenzy slashing and hacking with her powerful hands, only to destroy statues and scrape the column with deep claw marks. Breathing heavily, the Gorgon stopped and steadied herself.

    "Maybe I am seeing things. I am becoming more of a rabid monster striking at shadows than a woman with power." Medusa paused and considered the men her sisters fought and the mercenary leader she killed. Perhaps they were all carrying a form illness that infected only Medusa. She convinced herself to give up the pursuit. "Focus Medusa, go back to your cave and rest."

    Maybe sleep would cure her from the madness, but the feeling of the intruder still lingered. She knew she had seen someone entered the temple but she could not be sure. Could it have been sorcery that was tricking her senses? The excitement of the evening may have gotten to her or worse, she surmised, the mercenaries may have been carrying an affliction. Medusa could be suffering from a disease and this feverish hallucinate fury may have been a symptom. She turned abruptly and walked toward the back of the temple to the stairway leading to the cliff entrance of the cave. The boy may be long gone, she thought as she noticed she was very tired. She slowly walked up the stairs, leaving a befuddled Perseus in the temple.

    "Where is she going?" Perseus wondered as he watched from the back of the temple ready to strike. If Perseus was correct, Medusa was tired of the game and decided to withdraw. She would go to her cave where two more Gorgons would be waiting, possibly. He followed at a safe distance and made sure Medusa's back was in his direct line of sight.

* * *

    "There is nothing or no one here, Euryale. Whoever set these ships ablaze is gone," Stheno remarked disappointedly as she picked through the smoldering wood of the mercenary ships. Euryale galloped on all fours up next to her digging through the remains. She looked at the sky, the last rays of the sun disappearing over the horizon and first stars began to appear.

    "The hour is late, Stheno. If the boy did set these ships on fire, he has lessened his chances of leaving this island alive. His small boat is still tied to the tree over there." She pointed at the small boat as the waves crashed against it.

    With a long finger, Stheno scratched her chin and thought. "A diversion! He is in the temple hunting Medusa. We should fly back at once."

    "What is the hurry? One of us is a power to reckon with, but three? Folly!" Euryale boasted as she spotted a large dead fish wash up on the shore. She dashed after it before the waves took it back to the sea.

    "Take your dinner back to the cave! We will join our sister Medusa with all haste!" Stheno coiled up and then sprung herself in the air. Euryale gathered her dead fish and followed after her sister. Soon they arrived back at the cave and there was no sign of Medusa. They looked briefly around the cave until they heard Medusa's footsteps on the back stairs. She soon appeared at the mouth of the cave looking exhausted.

    "My sisters, there is an affliction upon us. I thought I saw the boy from the beach coming into the temple, however this was untrue. We should just rest ourselves-" The words stopped in mid-sentence as Medusa let out a gurgled cry.

    Perseus charged from behind Medusa and with his sword drawn. He brought the blade down unevenly on Medusa's collarbone and then tried to slice her throat. In so doing, Perseus severed three snakes and caused a nasty gash in her neck. Medusa felt blood welling in her mouth as she also felt a burning sensation where the vorpal blade sliced open her skin and throat. Perseus knew he had made a grave mistake. All it would take for Medusa to kill him was to simply turn around and turn him to stone before she choked on her own blood. He remembered Athena's warning about the integrity of the special sword as he would have one time to strike, maybe two. The translucent blade was already disintegrating. In frantic speed, Perseus slashed Medusa's throat from the opposite side, this time with a cleaner cut. The blade disappeared as it shattered in a glimpse of light, with only the hilt remaining.

* * *

    Medusa felt weightless for a moment until she realized that someone was pulling her head by her serpent hair. The young demigod called upon his unnatural strength to rip and pull Medusa's partially severed head off of her shoulders. Once it was pulled free, the headless body reached reflexively for its head only to find a plume of blood spurting into the air. All of this happened so quickly, the other Gorgon Sisters were stunned at the sight.

    Perseus, still wearing Hades helm, placed the Gorgon's head into a purse Athena provided. Then, as fast as he struck down Medusa, Perseus ran and flew into the sky. Medusa was dead and Perseus fulfilled his destiny. He only had to escape the two other Gorgons as they bellowed a cry of anguish over the death of their sister.

    "Medusa! Someone has slain our sister!" Euryale cried out loudly tugging at Medusa's decapitated body.

    "To flight Euryale. We will avenge our sister!" Stheno declared as they tore out of the cave in pursuit of Perseus.

    He resisted the temptation to look behind him. He knew the other demons would be fast on his trail. Perseus heard them close behind him and he thanked the gods that the sandals of Hermes reacted instantly to propel him quickly from the cave. However, the Gorgons managed to spot Perseus and gave chase. He looked to the sky and spied clouds floating in. He headed for them. Once inside, the magical helm produced a duplicate of himself with the purse and flew off in the opposite direction, west, as Perseus flew east, heading home to stop the wedding.

    Euryale and Stheno flew as fast as they could to catch Medusa's murderer, intent on dealing such pain unto him that he will beg for death but they would not grant it. Their bellows and shouts filled an artificially clouded sky as Perseus thanked Zeus for sending the sky and storm clouds to assist in his escape.

    As for Medusa, death tugged at her, but she did not die. While in the purse, Medusa heard another voice urging her to keep alive. It was not the first time a powerful internal voice asserted itself on her behalf. It would be years later until she would learn that she was joined with a demon from another dimension and it was the one responsible for her powers and fearsome appearance.

    She managed to utter a few words to Perseus, but they went unheard. Unconsciousness forced Medusa into a near-death state for many years to come. She would not be alive in the sense that was understood in modern times but trapped between realms of life and death.

End of Chapter 4

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