CHAPTER 6
Herstory, Part Three - The Curse

     The banquet hall felt cold and lonely with no one present or the large bonfire to warm the gathering area. By torchlight, Medusa worked tirelessly to clean the tables, put away the dishes and scrub the floors for tomorrow's breakfast meals. For some reason, she just wanted some time alone to work and think about her birthday. So many thoughts flowed through her, from the star formations, the visit from Athena, the shark attack and the party. A desire began to grow deep within Medusa's heart: to have a normal life, to see her family back on the farm, start a family, have some children and a husband. The vows she made were a life-long commitment and not easily broken. Perhaps she could petition Athena to be released from her vows if she could train a worthy successor. But who, she wondered. Her first candidate was Airlea, but this faithful servant of Medusa's was to be departing with her as well. Priest Heroc was the next logical choice but ultimately, the final decision would rest with Athena. It was decided that Medusa would begin a search for a successor and pray to Athena for release from duties as high priestess. Serving these desires and Athena would produce a conflict.

     After scrubbing down the last table, Medusa looked at her work and smiled. The hall would be clean within another hour and she could be in bed soon after a long and rather exciting day. She carried some empty trays to the back of the hall to be used for breakfast when the same chill and feeling of observation she felt in the morning just prior to Athena appearing in her room returned. She looked around to see who was in the hall with her. No one! The sensation was strong and this time she would get to the bottom of this.

     She placed the trays down and grabbed a torch from one of the columns. After a few minutes of searching the hall, there was no one to be found. Medusa was certain someone was in the hall or maybe it was the excitement of the day that wound up her nerves.  She took a moment to collect herself, inhaled deeply and calmed down.

     Medusa replaced the torch in the column brackets and continued to clean the hall. A gust of wind blew through the hall, causing all of the torches to blow out. Only the moonlight provided what little light in the hall through its open windows. Medusa began to fear and ran for the doors when they were suddenly thrown open just as she reached to them. Standing in the doorway was a man resembling one of the guards of the temple. In the low light, Medusa barely made out who it was until he spoke.

     "Medusa, I have come for you."

     "Theron? I am glad you came. I was frightened. Just now a strong breeze blew out torches and-"

     "No need to worry Medusa," Theron said as he approached Medusa slowly. He grasped her hands and pulled her close to him. "I will comfort you."

     "Theron, what are you doing? Let me go this instant! Do not dare violate the temple of Athena!" Medusa strongly ordered. She attempted to pull away but his grip was like stone.

     "As far as I am concerned, you are mine, not Athena's. And I will have you," Theron bellowed as he began to rip Medusa's gown and forcibly kiss her on the mouth. Medusa struggled and cried as she fought against him. She looked into his eyes trying to find out if he was possessed or ill with a disease. The eyes told her that it was not Theron, the trusted captain of the temple guard. This was an imposter and with that realization Medusa attempted to call for the guards but a firm hand clamped around her mouth.

     Tears began to flow as Medusa was at the mercy of this being. Unable to fight the man off, she mentally called out to Athena to come and help her. There was no reply or instance of interference from Athena in any way. Was she forsaken? Did the high priestess do something wrong to warrant this attack? Maybe Athena discovered Medusa's secrets and hidden desires. If that was true, was this a fitting punishment by way of sexual violation?

     Medusa was thrown on her back and the nearest table top. Her gown ripped to reveal her nakedness. A hand clamped on her throat as the attacker exposed himself and prepared for a sexual encounter with the virgin high priestess. In a fortunate sense, Medusa could not see what this man was doing but she knew he planned to violate her, the violation of Athena's chastity vow. She struggled, twisted and turned but his grip was unbreakable. Then in a violent thrust, the Theron doppelganger forced himself into Medusa's virgin vagina. She wished she could scream, but even a simple breath was a challenge. The pain was like nothing she ever felt before. Blood seeped from her vagina as he continued to thrust in and out like a wild, crazed animal. What seemed to be an eternity of the vile action passed in long agonizing minutes. Every now and then this man would pull Medusa up to either lick her face, as if it was some caramelized fruit, or kiss her full lips. Every time Medusa resisted, it would solicit a forceful action or slap to the face. She lay bruised but still fighting. It occurred to her that fighting this being only excited him more, but just giving in to his lust was not an option either.

     With a hand still clamped around her throat, she began to feel light headed, almost to the point she didn't feel or hear anything. The sound of his grunting and his pelvis slamming into hers filled the banquet hall. Medusa thought back a few hours earlier of how a celebration of her birthday took place and she was surrounded with friends, good food and music. Now the banquet hall became a haven of violation! Then in one move, the Theron double turned Medusa over her stomach and continued his sexual assault. He grabbed her long black hair and smelled it.

     "I love your scent Medusa. You are beauty incarnate! I watched you in your quarters every morning, silently admiring you. Your hair smells of roses after a spring rain. Your skin is perfect, supple and youthful. But it was the vaginal discharges you released into the sea that I smelled, like a shark smells blood, which has drawn me to you. I will take you to my underwater kingdom to live with me forever."

     Summoning all her strength, she spoke aloud despite the grip around her neck. "Poseidon?!"

     Smiling at the fact Medusa understood who he was. In a bright flash of light, the form of Theron was replaced by a man wearing simple robes, a short dark beard and hair. The god of the seas allowed himself to continue to enjoy his subjugation of the high priestess. A cruel laugh escaped his lips as he continued to rape Medusa on the table. She turned her head to see something shining in the darkness. It was a cutting knife that should have been put away. How was it possible, she thought to herself? She cleared all of the tables and soaked all of the utensils. Not wanting to debate how or why she slowly reached for the knife. It was not sharp enough to severe a limb from a god, but it would provide a good defensive weapon. She then felt something from Poseidon, he grunted harder and harder as he thrust himself inside of Medusa. She quickly realized that Poseidon was about ejaculate, thereby impregnating her. She stretched with all her might and grabbed the hilt of the knife, but it was already too late. Poseidon had finished with howl and buckled at the knees. For a moment he collapsed on top of her. Medusa breathed in deeply and focused on the training the real Theron taught her. She steadied herself for a fight with a god.

     "I must thank Athena for providing me with such a lovely woman to satisfy my cravings," Poseidon said as he composed and covered himself, releasing Medusa. "But I feel such an encounter deserves another chance. Would you consider coming with me to my-"

     Before he could finish his sentence, Medusa swung the knife so hard and so quickly, the blade cut Poseidon's face from his left cheek to his right eye. Blood gushed from the gash the sea god grabbed his face and staggered backward a few steps. The attack gave Medusa room enough to bring her feet up to his chin, causing him to fall back even further. Like a skilled acrobatic, Medusa rolled back from Poseidon on the table and then slid off far away, keeping the blade in front of her.

     Poseidon staggered back a few more steps holding his head in pain. When the gods took human form, they were subject to flaws of mortality, such as physical attacks and pain unless they kept their defenses up. In the case of Poseidon, he did not after he climaxed inside of Medusa causing him to be weakened.

     "Curse you human dreg!" Poseidon roared as he stepped closer to Medusa. "I would have made you my queen, empress of the seas! You would not have to toil under Athena who will be ungrateful no matter how hard you try to do anything. I can forgive this outburst of yours, drop the knife and I shall forget this." His wounds began to heal and he smiled. "

     Medusa allowed her anger to come forth. "You putrid mass! You violate me in the house of Athena and expect me come away with you?! You rape me and say you will forgive me?! You intrude on grounds not meant for you and take the form of another trusted servant of Athena?! If I go away with you, it will be so that I can do what you did to me and I will bury you under your sea kingdom! Even the crabs won't pick at your rotting flesh."

     Poseidon was surprised at Medusa's outburst. Not at the fact she was angry for being violated, but at how this mortal was vexed enough to kill a god. He found it amusing and laughed at the notion. "You are very passionate and have fiery disposition. I have chosen well. Our children will be powerful demigods to rule the seas and soon the surface. And you mother and queen of them all!"

     Medusa could scarcely believe her ears. Poseidon did not intend to make Medusa anything more than sex slave to suit his lust. He was tempting her further to betray Athena. Additionally, he just made a claim that he, not Zeus will rule the world. He blasphemes against his own brother, lord of the Olympic gods.

     "You are worse than all of the demons and monsters in Hades," she seethed. Poseidon approached with his hand open to take Medusa, yet she had other plans. The high priestess slashed again, cutting his hands almost severing his pinky finger. No matter what Poseidon said or did, Medusa would not be going away with him.

     Waiting for an opening, Poseidon swung his open hand hoping to knock the knife out of her hand, connecting with her head to knock her out and drag her away. Medusa faded back from Poseidon's swing just in time. He didn't connect with her head but managed to rip the pendant off of her neck, the same one Athena gave to her for her birthday. In a lightning fast move, Medusa stepped closer and brought the blade down on his shoulder, causing further injury and drawing more blood to gush out. Again he screamed was about to lunge at his victim but thought better of it. The noise from this fight may draw more attention than he wished. He grabbed the pendent and his body began to glow with energy.

     "I will return for my children in six months. I am feeling merciful, I may allow you to raise them and to serve me. Otherwise, I curse you woman!" Poseidon's body exploded in a flash of light.

     Medusa slumped on the table crying. What was she to do? Being violated was one thing but to be violated so brutally by a god in the temple of another god was something this high priestess could not conceive on her own. And did she hear right? Was she with child, or did he say children? His seed growing inside of her womb was the greatest insult. Six months he said, not nine? Demon spawn Medusa thought to herself as she would not have his children under any circumstance. Or maybe, he was taunting her, making her believe she possessed his seed. Regardless, these circumstances were greater than Medusa to handle alone. Her only recourse was to go to the main worship temple and pray for Athena to help. Medusa longed that the goddess of wisdom would deliver her from this nightmare.

* * *

     Inside the temple, with torn clothing, bruised face and neck, and bleeding from her vagina, Medusa moved with grace and speed to light the ceremonial torches, burned the incense, and knelt at the altar. "Eternal goddess Athena, I humbly beseech you for your help and protection. Hear my prayers my mistress. Please help your loyal servant through this tragedy."

     Her hands were held high in the air pleading to a statue of Athena in the middle of the chamber. Tears flowed as she bent her face all the way to the floor, waiting for some sign that Athena heard her prayers. Minutes past and Medusa's tears still flowed, still she bled and no signs of Athena appeared to her. On a whim the goddess appeared to wish her a happy birthday and Medusa was not expecting. Now that Athena's high priestess was in distress, the goddess needed to appear and soon.

     A gust of wind and light Medusa heard a familiar voice. "What is it my child." Standing at the entrance of the temple, Athena wore her battle armor, similar to the one armor depicted on the marble statue of her standing in dais behind the prayer benches.

     Medusa slowly stood to walk over the goddess but fell to her knees due to more weakness than showing humility to Athena. The pain of the assault caught up to her. Athena walked over and helped Medusa to her feet. She barely noticed to the wounds to Medusa's face, neck, legs and areas of her body. She seemed to notice the pendant missing from her disciple's neck. She made no mention of it and let Medusa retell the brutal story of Poseidon's attack. Her eyebrow raised when Medusa disclosed the fact Poseidon impregnated her. A faint smile crossed Athena's lips but the goddess made sure to appear attentive to Medusa's plight. When Medusa finished her account, Athena stood back from Medusa and a look of disappointment took hold of her face.

     "So, you used Poseidon to violate your chastity vow? You must have charmed or tempted him in some way for the sea god to leave his domain and come onto dry land for a girl."

     Medusa thought the nightmare could not have gotten worse, but Athena's reaction to the rape confirmed her deepest fears: falsely accused abandoned and eventually punished. Did Athena blame Medusa of seducing Poseidon?

     "My goddess, my mistress. You misheard me. Poseidon pursued and raped me in the banquet hall while was cleaning it after our little reception. He took your disciple and attempted to lure me away from you. I would never turn my back on you like this." She paused as she caught her breath and let a few more tears streak down her cheek. "I need your help. He soiled me with his vile seed."

     "How dare you call anything vile for when you address any of the gods of Olympus, child!" Athena scolded Medusa. "There is nothing vile among the gods."

     "Only how they use humans as tools and discard us when we cease to please them," Medusa retorted. Immediately she regretted saying it but now was not time for regret. Medusa continued. "It was Poseidon who caused these bruises and assaulted your priestess. I pray and worship only you, no other god. I have taken your temple and elevated it to only be second to Olympus. All of this I have done in your name and honor. And yet you say I am at fault? You are just as vile as Poseidon!"

     "You ungrateful scalawag!" Athena exclaimed as her eyes flashed white in anger. Her hands glowed and from them white hot energy bolts shot out at Medusa.

     In a split second, Medusa threw herself out of the way. Thankful to powers beyond the gods she escaped the first volley. The next ones she may not be so lucky. She wanted to apologize to Athena for her outburst, yet in light of the current situation the time for words was over. Medusa felt herself cast aside by the deity she has served all of her life. All of the dreams Medusa could have had were not at the forefront of her mind. She would flee from this place and have a life anew. Unfortunately, she would have to survive the night with Athena raining energy down upon her. Another bolt struck the wall near Medusa; it exploded sending hot pieces of rock and marble into her face. Some of the debris left thin scars on her face and neck. The blast stunned her for an instant but she ran behind the altar to the rear of the temple. Athena, like a calm hunter stalked her prey with an evil smile across her contorted face.

     "Come out and meet your fate child. You should obey your goddess after all," she said as she moved closer to the altar, knowing Medusa was behind it. To Medusa's surprise she saw a buckler shield lying underneath the altar. She quickly grabbed it and stood up to face Athena, hoping her plan would work.

     "I am here! Do your worst!" Medusa antagonized the goddess. With that, Athena raised her hands and sent out another blast of energy. This time Medusa was ready and raised the buckler to intercept and reflect the blast back to Athena.

     It worked, she thought to herself as the energy bounced back to the one who fired it. The initial blast knocked Medusa back a few steps but did more to Athena as the blast caught the goddess off guard. She was blown back to the opposite side of the worship chamber and landed hard on her side. Medusa ran to the door and with all her strength pulled on the temple doors to get out and to flee the isle as quickly as possible.

     Athena recovered quickly and saw Medusa heading to the doors. In a flash a rope she carried at her side with her other weapons shot out wrapped itself around Medusa's waist. Before she could untie it, Athena pulled so hard from the door that the former high priestess was airborne.

     She landed in the grip of Athena's waiting hand and a savage, physical beating commenced. Medusa did her best to evade, parry and block the fury of punches and kicks from Athena, but despite her best efforts and defense, the sheer power of her attack was overwhelming. Medusa could not defend herself and fell victim to blunt force trauma.

     Bloodied and bruised all over her body, Medusa was able to stand and look Athena in the eyes. "If this is the price for the service to you…If this is the price for being the victim…I welcome death." Medusa inhaled and spat blood into the face of Athena.

     Without another word, Athena grabbed both sides of Medusa head and conjured an energy field that sent electrifying jolts through Medusa body. She screamed as her body convulsed violently from the pain. Athena held her in place until she was nearly dead. She released the body and it fell to floor unmoving. Athena could sense the life-force within her still present but barely. She smiled and grabbed the high priestess by her throat, dragged her to the altar. In a single feat, Athena lifted Medusa and slammed her still body on the flat top surface.

     Medusa's sense of time and feeling were distorted. During the beating and the electrocution, she had no feeling in her body, only a vague awareness of what was going on. For a moment she felt weightless and then suddenly she hit a flat surface. She heard footsteps all around her as Athena walked around the altar. Medusa strained to open her eyes but her vision was hazy and blurry. Athena looked down at Medusa with an evil smile. Her world was coming to an end. She wished for death to claim her but the goddess of wisdom chose to prolong her torment.

     "So my former servant, you wish to betray my trust to other gods by luring them into my temple and break your vows to me? You take me too lightly Medusa. You have the gall to lie that you were forced to submit to Poseidon. For this sacrilege, you are cursed for all time and released from my charge," Athena announced as she stood over Medusa at her head on the altar. "You will be transformed into the Gorgon monster, forever hideous and rejected by mankind. You will slay all creatures that look upon your face and remember their petrified expressions of pain for all time!"

     Reaching into a satchel at her waist, Athena produced a clear flask that contained a dark liquid. Uncapping it, she poured the thin black solution onto Medusa's face, hair and into her mouth. Immediately, the solution started to burn and blisters form on her face. Her throat seared as she tried to scream in pain but her voice was temporarily muted. Her eyes smoldered as looking through them was getting difficult by the second. Her vision turned red, then blurry and finally black. Medusa placed her hands over her eyes only to feel her eyeballs turn to ash, along with her eyelids. The scream she so desired finally came from her mouth.

     "Why?!" she shrieked as she stumbled off the altar, tripping as she tried to run to escape, which was impossible.

     Then, the sound that stopped her in her tracks froze her with fear. Snakes! Dozens of them hissing and spitting in agitation. Did Athena fling her servant into a pit of poisonous vipers? The question was answered when Medusa raised her hands to her head to feel that the once luxurious black hair she sported was now replaced by a mane of snakes. At first they did not mind her touch and merely moved around or away from her hands. Medusa, out of fear and anger, grabbed several of the vipers with her hands and pulled as hard as she could. The snakes squirmed and struggled in her grasp. With new found might, she ripped them from her skull. The action, more out of desperation and fear, was not a wise one; it was as if she pulled out her own original hair. It left bloody scars on her scalp and the snakes she yanked out withered and died in her bloody grasp. In response to the attack, the snakes closest to her face attack her face by biting into her cheeks, lips and forehead.

     Falling down from the pain, Medusa rolled around attempting to free herself from the multiple bites. After a minute, they let go of her face and behaved as they were never attacked and hissed in mild agitation. Her face was bruised, blistered and deformed. The texture of her skin indicated a more rough and haggard feel, as if the solution poured on her accelerated her age to be that of an old woman. She cried out in darkness as she stumbled around, trying to find the door.

     All the while Athena looked at the high priestess go from a beautiful acolyte to a hideous monster in minutes. She raised an eyebrow as to how rapidly the essence blood of the demon Gaz'don worked. One final ingredient was to be added to the completion of the Olympic god's newest monster to torment the human population.

     Medusa stumbled to the floor crying intensely. She refused to call out to the gods for help, forgiveness or even death to put an end to the horrible transformation she was undergoing. Her internal strength kept her going but in the back of her mind she could hear a thousand voices speaking at once, of different languages. None of which made sense, but she could have sworn she heard her name being called. Then she realized it was Athena who was calling her name, taunting her. She moved slowly until she thought she was in front of her. With her right hand, she lashed out hoping to at the very least to strike Athena. Medusa missed and stumbled forward, about to fall. Half expecting to hit the temple floor hard, Medusa was instead being levitated off of the temple floor.

     She thrashed about trying to regain her balance and retreat to the floor, but the raw power of Athena had Medusa in its grip. A column of light enveloped Medusa as she was now suspended in the air. Her muscles were being manipulated against her will. Athena maneuvered her subject until she was on her back. She grabbed her legs and pried them open until she could see the bloody vagina where Poseidon had brutally and sexually assaulted her. Holding her palm a few inches from her vaginal region, Athena directed a low level energy pulse to probe Medusa. After a few minutes, Athena's eyes widened as she smiled.

     "It seems Poseidon already left his seed inside of you my dear. Already two…no three children are growing within your womb. You are truly indeed fertile, but I am afraid neither you nor he will see these children grow in the traditional sense."

     The low level energy pulse now intensified as it twisted through Medusa's body, identifying the area in which Poseidon's seed had already impregnated an egg, and started to grow into three powerful fetuses. The pulse pulled the immature fetuses from Medusa's body, causing additional agony. Unfortunately, Medusa could not move in response to the intense feeling of her unborn children being separated from her.

     Once free of its mother, Athena viewed the demi-fetus in the palm of her hand with a twisted fascination. Athena will make good use of them when the time was right. She knew Poseidon would be furious with her because she did not cast out Medusa to be given to the sea god, but to steal his children, he was sure to seek revenge. The goddess of wisdom did not fret for Zeus would protect her from his wrath.

     Athena placed the fetuses in special crystal urn and stored it away in her purse. She reached in and extracted a hooded, dark gray serpent. Underneath the hood were two closely set eyes, horrible eyes with the power to bring about death to all who look upon them. With her other hand, she pried open Medusa's vagina as wide as she could and forced the demon serpent, the gods called it the Gaz'don, inside of her vagina, removing the hood around its head. The serpent at first struggled to get loose from Athena's grip but once inside Medusa's body, it slithered in sensing it's liquid essence, the same blood Medusa was "inducted" with and turned her hair into snakes. Once completely inside, Athena released Medusa from the levitation field and retreated into a dark corner, looking into a mirror to watch Medusa struggle.

     Medusa fell to the floor hard and screamed in pain. Slowly and brutally, the human high priestess was turning into a Gorgon, a monster of hideous nature, one look at them will bring about death in a horrible way! The serpent demon crawled through her body and eventually embedded itself into her brain and face. It pushed forward into her empty, burned out eye sockets. Large, black eyes with a jagged yellow iris gazed around the temple.

     Medusa was able to see again her through another being's eyes. A loud noise, like a wind torrent or something roaring filled her mind and instinctively she held her hands to her ears to block out the sound. The noise prevailed. With these "new" eyes, it gave Medusa the simultaneous ability to see normally, then to see in different spectrums and levels. She could see through the walls of temple and saw a small gathering of the people just outside wondering if they should enter or not. She could see for miles around her, into the earth, and strange energy patterns all around her. If it was not for the events of the evening, this new vision would be a blessing more so than a curse. Medusa bore the burden of a foreign entity infesting her body. The serpents in her hair seem to be speaking to her; out of the corner of her right eye she saw the serpent closest to her right ear changed color, from a black to gray to pure white. This singular serpent controlled the others and the mane of hair grew quiet.

     Finally, the last cycle of pain came from her hands and feet. Medusa's fingers and toes felt as if someone was pulling the nails off each digit slowly with acid. She looked at her hands and at the fingertips was and toes grew hardened bronze nails.

     Athena smiled at the demon witch standing in her temple as she sensed the transformation was complete. Still looking in the reflection of the new Gorgon, Athena disappeared for the time being to prepare for the final act of the drama unfolding in her temple.

     Medusa was all alone, on her knees and crying. She tried to close her eyes but realized that she no longer had the pleasure of blinking or the use of eyelids. Her stomach curled in knots as she worked up the nerve to find one of the mirrors in the temple and see what Athena had ultimately done to her. She knew of the snakes in her hair but to see her face and body completely, she had to know. This was the most regrettable decision she had made since becoming a Gorgon. Her face was bruised and misshaped, looking gaunt and deathly. Her beautiful skin was now replaced with cold, gray skin. She opened her mouth only find her teeth were more pointed and sharpened. They looked if they could bite through flesh and bone in a simple snap of her jaws. Very little of her human essence was visible. Despite all of these new features, it was the eyes that drew all of Medusa attention. They were no longer the stunning, soft brown eyes she adored but two black pools with yellow torn irises stretching horizontally across each eye. She only knew half of the power of these eyes, for the ultimate power she will soon learn. She was a monster, the Gorgon Medusa!

* * *

     "Medusa, are you alright? We are all worried about you. We heard you screaming in banquet hall and then in the temple. Are you praying to Athena?" The questions came from Airlea standing outside of the temple at the main door. Medusa not only heard her outside but saw through the stone and wood door the devoted pretty red headed young girl that was Medusa's aid. Aid to a beautiful high priestess, not to this cursed demon woman. She had to act fast.

     "Airlea, go away. There were some difficulties but they have been resolved. Go back to your room," Medusa said trying sound reassuring. The harshness of her voice was unnatural and monstrous. She felt as if she swallowed a thousand needles with vinegar. She knew she was unsuccessful in driving away Airlea.

     "Medusa, my lady, you sound dreadful. I will tend to you immediately." Before Medusa could run to the door and secure from entry, Airlea pushed the massive door inside and stepped in. The look of fear and was frozen on her young face forever.

     Slowly, the body of Airlea began to turn to stone from the inside out. Airlea did not understand what was happening to her but she felt as if her whole body was becoming heavy, which it was, as her soul fell into a deep sleep inside of stone. Medusa agonized over the petrification of Airlea. She cried out, "Airlea, NO!"

     A voice inside her mind, like a fierce wind storm told her she was not dead but asleep. Not knowing where the voice came from Medusa tried to cradle the frozen statue of Airlea but it was too late, she was gone. This was the first person Medusa petrified with the eyes of the Gorgon. Unfortunately it would not be the last!

     Immediately, Medusa decided to run from the temple and hide herself in the hills of the mainland until she could find a way to remove the curse placed upon her or even kill herself before she petrified anyone else. She paused to consider going to her room, gather her scrolls, clothing, weapons and food for the long uncertain journey. Then she ran off to her tower, hoping she would not see anyone else. But the nightmare of her cursed life had only begun.

     "Halt!" a guard ordered Medusa to stop just as she reached the heavy wooden door of the tower domicile. She was thankful she was in the shadows, despite the full moon of the night.

     "Who are you? This tower is off limits to visitors. You will have to leave immediately!" The voice belonged to Captain Theron. Of all the people, he would be the one on duty to see Medusa in the dark. Another fortunate fate, her back was turned as well. Theron approached slowly, his hand on the hilt of the sword.

     "Theron, it is I, Medusa," she tried to manage a calm voice. What came out her mouth sounded like whispers of gargled gravel. "I am merely returning to my room to sleep. It has been a day of wonder."

     Theron heard the voice and was still not sure who it was. The hairs on his arms and neck were standing. He felt as if something evil was near. "Medusa? What is wrong with your voice? Most of us heard disturbing sounds from the hall and temple. Are you aware of a strong presence here?"

     "Yes, I went to the temple to investigate but it was merely the winds playing tricks on my birthday, it would seem." She took a step closer to the door. A few more steps she would be inside. Theron and the other male guards were forbidden to enter this dormitory unless danger was evident. Medusa thought to order him away but the suspicion would only further his resolve to find out what aura has settled on the temple he protected.

     "You do not sound well. Why don't I escort you to the healer so she may look at you."

     "NO!" She screamed. "I mean, the healer cannot help me. I feel ill from all of the food tonight. Please let me go to my quarters and-"

     "By the gods, Airlea! What has happened to you!" shouted one of the guards at the temple doors. He and another guard were out patrolling with Theron when they moved off and discovered the statue of Airlea at the doors. The detail of petrification made it easy to identify her as her face was set in a sad and horrified expression. Other guards and servants gathered around the statue. Murmuring started among them as they were speaking of a possible cause. Athena could have cursed Airlea for disobedience, some said. Others claimed it would be folly as she was just as obedient as the others at the temple. Panic began to set in as a few dropped to their knees to start to pray to Athena.

     "Come, we need to see about Airlea. A curse is upon us and you must find a way to appeal to Athena for help. Also you must appear to the others to calm their fears!" Theron grabbed Medusa hand quickly and pulled her into the moonlight. She fought against him.

     "No wait, don't!" the protest fell on deaf ears as Theron continued pull her close when he turned back to say something to Medusa.

     "Look, you are the only to-" he cut himself off as he saw the monster who called herself Medusa in the full moonlight. He attempted to scream but his voice grew cold as stone, as did the rest of him.

     "NO!" Medusa cried out.

     Before she could run, the crowd gathered in the courtyard now looking in her general direction. "Look!" another male servant shouted pointing at Medusa. Her head was bowed.

     "There is the monster that did this to our Airlea," a guard cried out.

     "And it seems to have done the same the Theron. Get her!" A cry of fear and anger was all Medusa heard as the people she had lived with for so many years, advanced on a dangerous monster. She held up her hands and backed away from the statue of Theron hoping to stop the crowd from attacking. She did just that.

     Two guards rushed her with swords drawn but once they caught a glimpse of the monster, they froze in their steps, faces frozen in anguish and pain. More guards rushed forward, Medusa turned from her domicile tower to make a run for the main gates. They eventually surrounded her only to be turned to stone. One person after another was turned into statues, caught in the final moments of their life with faces of horrified expression. She tried desperately to hide her face, to look away or cover her eyes, since Medusa no longer possessed eyelids. Nothing she did was effective enough to stop the curse from claiming one soul after another.

     Soon, the seventy-two people who inhabited the temple of Athena were now statues in a courtyard that once bustled with life and worship. A silent graveyard of monuments of tormented people, Medusa went from statue to statue mourning the loss of each individual she claimed. Some were on their knees in prayer, most were running away but foolishly looked back into Medusa's eyes. Medusa felt a foreboding sense of loneliness as she went to each frozen being mourning their death. She felt the most pain at Theron and Airlea, possibly the two people she loved the most while being the high priestess.

     "High priestess," Medusa said aloud. "I am no longer the high priestess. I am a monster, a monster that kills without mercy, a monster that destroys its own home!"

     A maniacal laugh escaped Medusa's being, dredged from the deepest parts of her soul. She paused and looked to the night sky looking the constellation that symbolized Athena. "I am the enemy to all things living or dead. I am now chaos! You hear me Athena? I am forever your enemy! Face me!"

     A column of light exploded behind Medusa knocking her off balance. When the light subsided, Athena, dressed in her signature golden armor and wearing a protective eye visor to guard against the gaze of Medusa, stood ready for battle. The Gorgon turned to face her new foe.

     "So you have the courage to face me. The visor will not protect you from my wrath. I will tear your godly flesh from your putrid bones," Medusa spat as she extended her hands bearing her new bronze nails.

     Athena turned her head in a manner suggesting she was examining the statues in the courtyard with distaste. Her hands reached out to caress a couple of the statues as she edged closer to Medusa.

     "After all I have done for you, you betray me. After all I have given you, you take my servants away. I now see your true nature, monster." Athena gestured with her open hand at the stone figures in the courtyard. "I will rebuild a new temple with new, more loyal servants. As for you, you will be banished to forever live among your own kind. You will be hunted and you will kill the hunters. You will be the blight of this world until the gods bring an end to it!"

     Medusa stood shocked for a moment to what Athena just announced. How could she be so wrong and dismissive of her situation? Was Athena jealous or even unreceptive to what her high priestess had gone through this night including the brutal punishment at her hands? With the events playing back so quickly in her mind, like a storm, Medusa shrieked as she lunged at Athena with a new found strength. For moment, Medusa achieved low level flight as she reached for Athena with her bare, bronzed hands. Athena took a step back in a defensive stance, then stepped forward at the right moment and backhanded Medusa so hard she was launched upward into the sky.

     Tumbling head over heels, Medusa sailed upward, unable to correct her position from the force of Athena's blow. Finally, the last words Medusa would hear Athena say was, "I banish you forever to suffer with your Gorgon kind!"

     Another energy burst blasted from the goddess' outstretched hands, slamming into Medusa with a tremendous blow it sent her sailing into the night, toward the south. Athena stood confident and victorious believing she had dealt with Medusa for the time being. She laughed as Medusa soared out of sight.

* * *

     An hour later, Medusa fell from the sky on to a desolate isle far across the sea. Her body landed on the more solid part of the beach/mountain island with an impact that created a hole nearly six feet deep, twelve feet wide. She lay in the crater she made for a moment hoping all of the previous night's activities was just a nightmare: every second from the moment Poseidon touched her to the fight with Athena and subsequent death of the occupants of the temple of Athena. All of their faces she would never forget as they would be frozen in stone forever.

     Medusa rolled onto her back and merely listened to the strange new environment. The hissing snakes of her hair would be something to get used to. But it was not her snakes she was aware of; this sound was approaching her slowly. She sat up and crawled to the edge of the crater to see two ghastly figures slowly make their way toward her. At the sight of each other, they startled themselves with shriek and fell back from each other.

     The first creature Medusa beheld was a misshaped creature with hair of blood red snakes, wings like a bat, legs resembling that of a wolf but its upper body was more massive, as that of a bear. It walked on all fours bronze claws at the tips of its hands and feet. Her head was a curious sight Medusa noticed. The right side of her head is larger than the left. The right eye the size of an almond whereas the left the size of grapefruit. The eyes were blood red and the iris (similar to Medusa's) looked as if they were ripped and torn. Her face had a look of astonishment and wonder, despite being frightened by the appearance of Medusa. The second creature was more menacing and terrible!

     It partially looked like a human female from the neck down to her stomach, but where legs would be was the lower body of a serpent, with a forked tail and stingers at each end. Her hands were gnarled and bearing bronze claws. She too also bared a head full of hissing vipers. But a difference between her and Medusa was that she had the capability of flight with large, insect like wings with a span of nearly twenty feet across. The eyes were white, signifying poison or sickness, sporting the same torn iris in its eyes. This serpent female appeared to have two mouths one either side of her face. They regarded their new visitor with curiosity.

     "A new addition to our family, Stheno," the misshapen creature spoke softly. The serpent, called Stheno smirked with her two mouths.

     "Who are you sister? Where do you come from? I am the Gorgon Euryale. This is Stheno. Have the gods sent you to us?"

     "I am Medusa," she said raising her head to meet the gazes of her new island mates. "The Gorgon Medusa." Medusa heard of the Gorgon creatures and ironically thought them to be a myth. Their physical appearances were not as accurate as the scrolls she happened to come across in her studies had declared. But then again, what living being could survive the encounter with these creatures and to give an accurate description of them. Looking into their eyes meant that she would not suffer the fate of other mortal creatures if they were to gaze upon them. Gorgon to Gorgon, the gaze would not affect one another. It would be interesting to see what Euryale and Stheno would do any intruders to this small island.

     Stheno slid closer to Medusa, introducing a pungent odor Medusa knew she would have to get used to. So many things would have to change if Medusa was to survive this curse. "What god has banished you here, sister Medusa?

     "Athena. I was a high priestess to her before she banished me here." Medusa bit back a lot of disparaging remarks about the two demons she would share habitation with. Much of her thoughts were still in fragments as she continued to make sense of what was her new world.

     Stheno looked at Euryale puzzled. "I do not understand, you were a human female before becoming a Gorgon?"

     "Yes, why is that surprising?"

     Euryale crawled up to Medusa. "We were born as Gorgons. No being transformed us. As far as we know, but we were cast here same as you."

     Stheno settled on her tail, opened her left mouth to pick some undigested food out of her teeth while the right mouth spoke. "We have been on this isle far from human civilization for three hundred years. Occasionally we hunt and kill any intruders to our island. They arrive by themselves or on a small fighting party seeking to claim our hides and heads for trophies."

     The second mouth of Stheno spoke. "Will you stand with us and destroy any and all who dare to challenge the power of the Gorgon?"

     Medusa looked at Euryale and then to Stheno. She turned and looked at the raging sea and into the darkening gray skies. "All who dare challenge us will die. And one day, we will leave this island to exact our revenge on those who sit on Olympus!"

     Euryale and Stheno were shocked by Medusa's declaration. They half expected Medusa to break down and reject her fate, but she seemed determined to not only embrace the curse, but make the power her own. Both Gorgons bowed to Medusa and then gently escorted her to the cave in which they dwelt. From the beach they walked in to a courtyard, somewhat similar to the one Medusa knew. This one was probably designed by the same mind who designed Athena's temple grounds. Smaller in area and less gaudy in design, the courtyard sported columns on the perimeter and simple marble benches evenly dispersed throughout. In some areas, piles of ash and charred remains were spread about as well as mounds of rotting flesh and bones.

     The smells therein reeked worse than death itself. However, Medusa thought, the Gorgon is a servant of Death. A small temple lay in the back of the courtyard. They entered it and not surprising to Medusa, it also resembled Athena's worship temple, again, smaller in design. With time to herself Medusa could determine how this temple and the Gorgons arrived on the island. At the back of the worship area were a flight of stone stairs that lead up into the mountain. From there, the stairs lead to a terrace and then to a cave. Euryale conducted Medusa inside and lit a torch for light.

     "Here is your area my new sister," Euryale said as she pointed to a corner of the cave. Ironically it was a dry clean spot, which Medusa was mildly thankful for. "I sleep in the opposite corner here and Stheno typically sleeps at the mouth of the cave."

     Medusa moved silently into her corner and sat down, drawing her knees to her chest. She felt tired and alone in this her new home with monsters. Luckily they would not attack her or make any move against her, at least for Euryale. Stheno, on the other hand, looked to be plotting some grand action, only waiting for the opportune time to strike. She watched the serpent coil herself and fall asleep at the cave entrance. Euryale remained dutiful to Medusa.

     "Are you not tired? Do you require some food? Or should we talk. I have so many questions." Euryale was like a child in some respects and Medusa wanted to cry because this horrible monster reminded her of Airlea, the beautiful red headed servant she once knew.

     "I promise we shall talk soon. For now, I need to collect my thoughts and rest," Medusa replied with a sigh.

     Euryale seemed to perk up a bit. "Then I shall find you some food and then we will talk in the morning hours." Euryale hopped on all fours out of the cave and down on to the island beach to hunt for food.

     Medusa turned her thoughts inward to focus on the events and happenings over the last several hours. One of them was to make sense of the voice she had been intermittently hearing since the conflict with Athena. Was it the creature that now lay deep inside of her, or is she suffering from of a mental break down? Those answers she would determine, along with the extent of the powers Athena foolishly granted her. She will use them to kill her and all who stood in the way of her revenge.

End of Chapter 6

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CHAPTER 6
Herstory, Part Three - The Curse

     The banquet hall felt cold and lonely with no one present or the large bonfire to warm the gathering area. By torchlight, Medusa worked tirelessly to clean the tables, put away the dishes and scrub the floors for tomorrow's breakfast meals. For some reason, she just wanted some time alone to work and think about her birthday. So many thoughts flowed through her, from the star formations, the visit from Athena, the shark attack and the party. A desire began to grow deep within Medusa's heart: to have a normal life, to see her family back on the farm, start a family, have some children and a husband. The vows she made were a life-long commitment and not easily broken. Perhaps she could petition Athena to be released from her vows if she could train a worthy successor. But who, she wondered. Her first candidate was Airlea, but this faithful servant of Medusa's was to be departing with her as well. Priest Heroc was the next logical choice but ultimately, the final decision would rest with Athena. It was decided that Medusa would begin a search for a successor and pray to Athena for release from duties as high priestess. Serving these desires and Athena would produce a conflict.

     After scrubbing down the last table, Medusa looked at her work and smiled. The hall would be clean within another hour and she could be in bed soon after a long and rather exciting day. She carried some empty trays to the back of the hall to be used for breakfast when the same chill and feeling of observation she felt in the morning just prior to Athena appearing in her room returned. She looked around to see who was in the hall with her. No one! The sensation was strong and this time she would get to the bottom of this.

     She placed the trays down and grabbed a torch from one of the columns. After a few minutes of searching the hall, there was no one to be found. Medusa was certain someone was in the hall or maybe it was the excitement of the day that wound up her nerves.  She took a moment to collect herself, inhaled deeply and calmed down.

     Medusa replaced the torch in the column brackets and continued to clean the hall. A gust of wind blew through the hall, causing all of the torches to blow out. Only the moonlight provided what little light in the hall through its open windows. Medusa began to fear and ran for the doors when they were suddenly thrown open just as she reached to them. Standing in the doorway was a man resembling one of the guards of the temple. In the low light, Medusa barely made out who it was until he spoke.

     "Medusa, I have come for you."

     "Theron? I am glad you came. I was frightened. Just now a strong breeze blew out torches and-"

     "No need to worry Medusa," Theron said as he approached Medusa slowly. He grasped her hands and pulled her close to him. "I will comfort you."

     "Theron, what are you doing? Let me go this instant! Do not dare violate the temple of Athena!" Medusa strongly ordered. She attempted to pull away but his grip was like stone.

     "As far as I am concerned, you are mine, not Athena's. And I will have you," Theron bellowed as he began to rip Medusa's gown and forcibly kiss her on the mouth. Medusa struggled and cried as she fought against him. She looked into his eyes trying to find out if he was possessed or ill with a disease. The eyes told her that it was not Theron, the trusted captain of the temple guard. This was an imposter and with that realization Medusa attempted to call for the guards but a firm hand clamped around her mouth.

     Tears began to flow as Medusa was at the mercy of this being. Unable to fight the man off, she mentally called out to Athena to come and help her. There was no reply or instance of interference from Athena in any way. Was she forsaken? Did the high priestess do something wrong to warrant this attack? Maybe Athena discovered Medusa's secrets and hidden desires. If that was true, was this a fitting punishment by way of sexual violation?

     Medusa was thrown on her back and the nearest table top. Her gown ripped to reveal her nakedness. A hand clamped on her throat as the attacker exposed himself and prepared for a sexual encounter with the virgin high priestess. In a fortunate sense, Medusa could not see what this man was doing but she knew he planned to violate her, the violation of Athena's chastity vow. She struggled, twisted and turned but his grip was unbreakable. Then in a violent thrust, the Theron doppelganger forced himself into Medusa's virgin vagina. She wished she could scream, but even a simple breath was a challenge. The pain was like nothing she ever felt before. Blood seeped from her vagina as he continued to thrust in and out like a wild, crazed animal. What seemed to be an eternity of the vile action passed in long agonizing minutes. Every now and then this man would pull Medusa up to either lick her face, as if it was some caramelized fruit, or kiss her full lips. Every time Medusa resisted, it would solicit a forceful action or slap to the face. She lay bruised but still fighting. It occurred to her that fighting this being only excited him more, but just giving in to his lust was not an option either.

     With a hand still clamped around her throat, she began to feel light headed, almost to the point she didn't feel or hear anything. The sound of his grunting and his pelvis slamming into hers filled the banquet hall. Medusa thought back a few hours earlier of how a celebration of her birthday took place and she was surrounded with friends, good food and music. Now the banquet hall became a haven of violation! Then in one move, the Theron double turned Medusa over her stomach and continued his sexual assault. He grabbed her long black hair and smelled it.

     "I love your scent Medusa. You are beauty incarnate! I watched you in your quarters every morning, silently admiring you. Your hair smells of roses after a spring rain. Your skin is perfect, supple and youthful. But it was the vaginal discharges you released into the sea that I smelled, like a shark smells blood, which has drawn me to you. I will take you to my underwater kingdom to live with me forever."

     Summoning all her strength, she spoke aloud despite the grip around her neck. "Poseidon?!"

     Smiling at the fact Medusa understood who he was. In a bright flash of light, the form of Theron was replaced by a man wearing simple robes, a short dark beard and hair. The god of the seas allowed himself to continue to enjoy his subjugation of the high priestess. A cruel laugh escaped his lips as he continued to rape Medusa on the table. She turned her head to see something shining in the darkness. It was a cutting knife that should have been put away. How was it possible, she thought to herself? She cleared all of the tables and soaked all of the utensils. Not wanting to debate how or why she slowly reached for the knife. It was not sharp enough to severe a limb from a god, but it would provide a good defensive weapon. She then felt something from Poseidon, he grunted harder and harder as he thrust himself inside of Medusa. She quickly realized that Poseidon was about ejaculate, thereby impregnating her. She stretched with all her might and grabbed the hilt of the knife, but it was already too late. Poseidon had finished with howl and buckled at the knees. For a moment he collapsed on top of her. Medusa breathed in deeply and focused on the training the real Theron taught her. She steadied herself for a fight with a god.

     "I must thank Athena for providing me with such a lovely woman to satisfy my cravings," Poseidon said as he composed and covered himself, releasing Medusa. "But I feel such an encounter deserves another chance. Would you consider coming with me to my-"

     Before he could finish his sentence, Medusa swung the knife so hard and so quickly, the blade cut Poseidon's face from his left cheek to his right eye. Blood gushed from the gash the sea god grabbed his face and staggered backward a few steps. The attack gave Medusa room enough to bring her feet up to his chin, causing him to fall back even further. Like a skilled acrobatic, Medusa rolled back from Poseidon on the table and then slid off far away, keeping the blade in front of her.

     Poseidon staggered back a few more steps holding his head in pain. When the gods took human form, they were subject to flaws of mortality, such as physical attacks and pain unless they kept their defenses up. In the case of Poseidon, he did not after he climaxed inside of Medusa causing him to be weakened.

     "Curse you human dreg!" Poseidon roared as he stepped closer to Medusa. "I would have made you my queen, empress of the seas! You would not have to toil under Athena who will be ungrateful no matter how hard you try to do anything. I can forgive this outburst of yours, drop the knife and I shall forget this." His wounds began to heal and he smiled. "

     Medusa allowed her anger to come forth. "You putrid mass! You violate me in the house of Athena and expect me come away with you?! You rape me and say you will forgive me?! You intrude on grounds not meant for you and take the form of another trusted servant of Athena?! If I go away with you, it will be so that I can do what you did to me and I will bury you under your sea kingdom! Even the crabs won't pick at your rotting flesh."

     Poseidon was surprised at Medusa's outburst. Not at the fact she was angry for being violated, but at how this mortal was vexed enough to kill a god. He found it amusing and laughed at the notion. "You are very passionate and have fiery disposition. I have chosen well. Our children will be powerful demigods to rule the seas and soon the surface. And you mother and queen of them all!"

     Medusa could scarcely believe her ears. Poseidon did not intend to make Medusa anything more than sex slave to suit his lust. He was tempting her further to betray Athena. Additionally, he just made a claim that he, not Zeus will rule the world. He blasphemes against his own brother, lord of the Olympic gods.

     "You are worse than all of the demons and monsters in Hades," she seethed. Poseidon approached with his hand open to take Medusa, yet she had other plans. The high priestess slashed again, cutting his hands almost severing his pinky finger. No matter what Poseidon said or did, Medusa would not be going away with him.

     Waiting for an opening, Poseidon swung his open hand hoping to knock the knife out of her hand, connecting with her head to knock her out and drag her away. Medusa faded back from Poseidon's swing just in time. He didn't connect with her head but managed to rip the pendant off of her neck, the same one Athena gave to her for her birthday. In a lightning fast move, Medusa stepped closer and brought the blade down on his shoulder, causing further injury and drawing more blood to gush out. Again he screamed was about to lunge at his victim but thought better of it. The noise from this fight may draw more attention than he wished. He grabbed the pendent and his body began to glow with energy.

     "I will return for my children in six months. I am feeling merciful, I may allow you to raise them and to serve me. Otherwise, I curse you woman!" Poseidon's body exploded in a flash of light.

     Medusa slumped on the table crying. What was she to do? Being violated was one thing but to be violated so brutally by a god in the temple of another god was something this high priestess could not conceive on her own. And did she hear right? Was she with child, or did he say children? His seed growing inside of her womb was the greatest insult. Six months he said, not nine? Demon spawn Medusa thought to herself as she would not have his children under any circumstance. Or maybe, he was taunting her, making her believe she possessed his seed. Regardless, these circumstances were greater than Medusa to handle alone. Her only recourse was to go to the main worship temple and pray for Athena to help. Medusa longed that the goddess of wisdom would deliver her from this nightmare.

* * *

     Inside the temple, with torn clothing, bruised face and neck, and bleeding from her vagina, Medusa moved with grace and speed to light the ceremonial torches, burned the incense, and knelt at the altar. "Eternal goddess Athena, I humbly beseech you for your help and protection. Hear my prayers my mistress. Please help your loyal servant through this tragedy."

     Her hands were held high in the air pleading to a statue of Athena in the middle of the chamber. Tears flowed as she bent her face all the way to the floor, waiting for some sign that Athena heard her prayers. Minutes past and Medusa's tears still flowed, still she bled and no signs of Athena appeared to her. On a whim the goddess appeared to wish her a happy birthday and Medusa was not expecting. Now that Athena's high priestess was in distress, the goddess needed to appear and soon.

     A gust of wind and light Medusa heard a familiar voice. "What is it my child." Standing at the entrance of the temple, Athena wore her battle armor, similar to the one armor depicted on the marble statue of her standing in dais behind the prayer benches.

     Medusa slowly stood to walk over the goddess but fell to her knees due to more weakness than showing humility to Athena. The pain of the assault caught up to her. Athena walked over and helped Medusa to her feet. She barely noticed to the wounds to Medusa's face, neck, legs and areas of her body. She seemed to notice the pendant missing from her disciple's neck. She made no mention of it and let Medusa retell the brutal story of Poseidon's attack. Her eyebrow raised when Medusa disclosed the fact Poseidon impregnated her. A faint smile crossed Athena's lips but the goddess made sure to appear attentive to Medusa's plight. When Medusa finished her account, Athena stood back from Medusa and a look of disappointment took hold of her face.

     "So, you used Poseidon to violate your chastity vow? You must have charmed or tempted him in some way for the sea god to leave his domain and come onto dry land for a girl."

     Medusa thought the nightmare could not have gotten worse, but Athena's reaction to the rape confirmed her deepest fears: falsely accused abandoned and eventually punished. Did Athena blame Medusa of seducing Poseidon?

     "My goddess, my mistress. You misheard me. Poseidon pursued and raped me in the banquet hall while was cleaning it after our little reception. He took your disciple and attempted to lure me away from you. I would never turn my back on you like this." She paused as she caught her breath and let a few more tears streak down her cheek. "I need your help. He soiled me with his vile seed."

     "How dare you call anything vile for when you address any of the gods of Olympus, child!" Athena scolded Medusa. "There is nothing vile among the gods."

     "Only how they use humans as tools and discard us when we cease to please them," Medusa retorted. Immediately she regretted saying it but now was not time for regret. Medusa continued. "It was Poseidon who caused these bruises and assaulted your priestess. I pray and worship only you, no other god. I have taken your temple and elevated it to only be second to Olympus. All of this I have done in your name and honor. And yet you say I am at fault? You are just as vile as Poseidon!"

     "You ungrateful scalawag!" Athena exclaimed as her eyes flashed white in anger. Her hands glowed and from them white hot energy bolts shot out at Medusa.

     In a split second, Medusa threw herself out of the way. Thankful to powers beyond the gods she escaped the first volley. The next ones she may not be so lucky. She wanted to apologize to Athena for her outburst, yet in light of the current situation the time for words was over. Medusa felt herself cast aside by the deity she has served all of her life. All of the dreams Medusa could have had were not at the forefront of her mind. She would flee from this place and have a life anew. Unfortunately, she would have to survive the night with Athena raining energy down upon her. Another bolt struck the wall near Medusa; it exploded sending hot pieces of rock and marble into her face. Some of the debris left thin scars on her face and neck. The blast stunned her for an instant but she ran behind the altar to the rear of the temple. Athena, like a calm hunter stalked her prey with an evil smile across her contorted face.

     "Come out and meet your fate child. You should obey your goddess after all," she said as she moved closer to the altar, knowing Medusa was behind it. To Medusa's surprise she saw a buckler shield lying underneath the altar. She quickly grabbed it and stood up to face Athena, hoping her plan would work.

     "I am here! Do your worst!" Medusa antagonized the goddess. With that, Athena raised her hands and sent out another blast of energy. This time Medusa was ready and raised the buckler to intercept and reflect the blast back to Athena.

     It worked, she thought to herself as the energy bounced back to the one who fired it. The initial blast knocked Medusa back a few steps but did more to Athena as the blast caught the goddess off guard. She was blown back to the opposite side of the worship chamber and landed hard on her side. Medusa ran to the door and with all her strength pulled on the temple doors to get out and to flee the isle as quickly as possible.

     Athena recovered quickly and saw Medusa heading to the doors. In a flash a rope she carried at her side with her other weapons shot out wrapped itself around Medusa's waist. Before she could untie it, Athena pulled so hard from the door that the former high priestess was airborne.

     She landed in the grip of Athena's waiting hand and a savage, physical beating commenced. Medusa did her best to evade, parry and block the fury of punches and kicks from Athena, but despite her best efforts and defense, the sheer power of her attack was overwhelming. Medusa could not defend herself and fell victim to blunt force trauma.

     Bloodied and bruised all over her body, Medusa was able to stand and look Athena in the eyes. "If this is the price for the service to you…If this is the price for being the victim…I welcome death." Medusa inhaled and spat blood into the face of Athena.

     Without another word, Athena grabbed both sides of Medusa head and conjured an energy field that sent electrifying jolts through Medusa body. She screamed as her body convulsed violently from the pain. Athena held her in place until she was nearly dead. She released the body and it fell to floor unmoving. Athena could sense the life-force within her still present but barely. She smiled and grabbed the high priestess by her throat, dragged her to the altar. In a single feat, Athena lifted Medusa and slammed her still body on the flat top surface.

     Medusa's sense of time and feeling were distorted. During the beating and the electrocution, she had no feeling in her body, only a vague awareness of what was going on. For a moment she felt weightless and then suddenly she hit a flat surface. She heard footsteps all around her as Athena walked around the altar. Medusa strained to open her eyes but her vision was hazy and blurry. Athena looked down at Medusa with an evil smile. Her world was coming to an end. She wished for death to claim her but the goddess of wisdom chose to prolong her torment.

     "So my former servant, you wish to betray my trust to other gods by luring them into my temple and break your vows to me? You take me too lightly Medusa. You have the gall to lie that you were forced to submit to Poseidon. For this sacrilege, you are cursed for all time and released from my charge," Athena announced as she stood over Medusa at her head on the altar. "You will be transformed into the Gorgon monster, forever hideous and rejected by mankind. You will slay all creatures that look upon your face and remember their petrified expressions of pain for all time!"

     Reaching into a satchel at her waist, Athena produced a clear flask that contained a dark liquid. Uncapping it, she poured the thin black solution onto Medusa's face, hair and into her mouth. Immediately, the solution started to burn and blisters form on her face. Her throat seared as she tried to scream in pain but her voice was temporarily muted. Her eyes smoldered as looking through them was getting difficult by the second. Her vision turned red, then blurry and finally black. Medusa placed her hands over her eyes only to feel her eyeballs turn to ash, along with her eyelids. The scream she so desired finally came from her mouth.

     "Why?!" she shrieked as she stumbled off the altar, tripping as she tried to run to escape, which was impossible.

     Then, the sound that stopped her in her tracks froze her with fear. Snakes! Dozens of them hissing and spitting in agitation. Did Athena fling her servant into a pit of poisonous vipers? The question was answered when Medusa raised her hands to her head to feel that the once luxurious black hair she sported was now replaced by a mane of snakes. At first they did not mind her touch and merely moved around or away from her hands. Medusa, out of fear and anger, grabbed several of the vipers with her hands and pulled as hard as she could. The snakes squirmed and struggled in her grasp. With new found might, she ripped them from her skull. The action, more out of desperation and fear, was not a wise one; it was as if she pulled out her own original hair. It left bloody scars on her scalp and the snakes she yanked out withered and died in her bloody grasp. In response to the attack, the snakes closest to her face attack her face by biting into her cheeks, lips and forehead.

     Falling down from the pain, Medusa rolled around attempting to free herself from the multiple bites. After a minute, they let go of her face and behaved as they were never attacked and hissed in mild agitation. Her face was bruised, blistered and deformed. The texture of her skin indicated a more rough and haggard feel, as if the solution poured on her accelerated her age to be that of an old woman. She cried out in darkness as she stumbled around, trying to find the door.

     All the while Athena looked at the high priestess go from a beautiful acolyte to a hideous monster in minutes. She raised an eyebrow as to how rapidly the essence blood of the demon Gaz'don worked. One final ingredient was to be added to the completion of the Olympic god's newest monster to torment the human population.

     Medusa stumbled to the floor crying intensely. She refused to call out to the gods for help, forgiveness or even death to put an end to the horrible transformation she was undergoing. Her internal strength kept her going but in the back of her mind she could hear a thousand voices speaking at once, of different languages. None of which made sense, but she could have sworn she heard her name being called. Then she realized it was Athena who was calling her name, taunting her. She moved slowly until she thought she was in front of her. With her right hand, she lashed out hoping to at the very least to strike Athena. Medusa missed and stumbled forward, about to fall. Half expecting to hit the temple floor hard, Medusa was instead being levitated off of the temple floor.

     She thrashed about trying to regain her balance and retreat to the floor, but the raw power of Athena had Medusa in its grip. A column of light enveloped Medusa as she was now suspended in the air. Her muscles were being manipulated against her will. Athena maneuvered her subject until she was on her back. She grabbed her legs and pried them open until she could see the bloody vagina where Poseidon had brutally and sexually assaulted her. Holding her palm a few inches from her vaginal region, Athena directed a low level energy pulse to probe Medusa. After a few minutes, Athena's eyes widened as she smiled.

     "It seems Poseidon already left his seed inside of you my dear. Already two…no three children are growing within your womb. You are truly indeed fertile, but I am afraid neither you nor he will see these children grow in the traditional sense."

     The low level energy pulse now intensified as it twisted through Medusa's body, identifying the area in which Poseidon's seed had already impregnated an egg, and started to grow into three powerful fetuses. The pulse pulled the immature fetuses from Medusa's body, causing additional agony. Unfortunately, Medusa could not move in response to the intense feeling of her unborn children being separated from her.

     Once free of its mother, Athena viewed the demi-fetus in the palm of her hand with a twisted fascination. Athena will make good use of them when the time was right. She knew Poseidon would be furious with her because she did not cast out Medusa to be given to the sea god, but to steal his children, he was sure to seek revenge. The goddess of wisdom did not fret for Zeus would protect her from his wrath.

     Athena placed the fetuses in special crystal urn and stored it away in her purse. She reached in and extracted a hooded, dark gray serpent. Underneath the hood were two closely set eyes, horrible eyes with the power to bring about death to all who look upon them. With her other hand, she pried open Medusa's vagina as wide as she could and forced the demon serpent, the gods called it the Gaz'don, inside of her vagina, removing the hood around its head. The serpent at first struggled to get loose from Athena's grip but once inside Medusa's body, it slithered in sensing it's liquid essence, the same blood Medusa was "inducted" with and turned her hair into snakes. Once completely inside, Athena released Medusa from the levitation field and retreated into a dark corner, looking into a mirror to watch Medusa struggle.

     Medusa fell to the floor hard and screamed in pain. Slowly and brutally, the human high priestess was turning into a Gorgon, a monster of hideous nature, one look at them will bring about death in a horrible way! The serpent demon crawled through her body and eventually embedded itself into her brain and face. It pushed forward into her empty, burned out eye sockets. Large, black eyes with a jagged yellow iris gazed around the temple.

     Medusa was able to see again her through another being's eyes. A loud noise, like a wind torrent or something roaring filled her mind and instinctively she held her hands to her ears to block out the sound. The noise prevailed. With these "new" eyes, it gave Medusa the simultaneous ability to see normally, then to see in different spectrums and levels. She could see through the walls of temple and saw a small gathering of the people just outside wondering if they should enter or not. She could see for miles around her, into the earth, and strange energy patterns all around her. If it was not for the events of the evening, this new vision would be a blessing more so than a curse. Medusa bore the burden of a foreign entity infesting her body. The serpents in her hair seem to be speaking to her; out of the corner of her right eye she saw the serpent closest to her right ear changed color, from a black to gray to pure white. This singular serpent controlled the others and the mane of hair grew quiet.

     Finally, the last cycle of pain came from her hands and feet. Medusa's fingers and toes felt as if someone was pulling the nails off each digit slowly with acid. She looked at her hands and at the fingertips was and toes grew hardened bronze nails.

     Athena smiled at the demon witch standing in her temple as she sensed the transformation was complete. Still looking in the reflection of the new Gorgon, Athena disappeared for the time being to prepare for the final act of the drama unfolding in her temple.

     Medusa was all alone, on her knees and crying. She tried to close her eyes but realized that she no longer had the pleasure of blinking or the use of eyelids. Her stomach curled in knots as she worked up the nerve to find one of the mirrors in the temple and see what Athena had ultimately done to her. She knew of the snakes in her hair but to see her face and body completely, she had to know. This was the most regrettable decision she had made since becoming a Gorgon. Her face was bruised and misshaped, looking gaunt and deathly. Her beautiful skin was now replaced with cold, gray skin. She opened her mouth only find her teeth were more pointed and sharpened. They looked if they could bite through flesh and bone in a simple snap of her jaws. Very little of her human essence was visible. Despite all of these new features, it was the eyes that drew all of Medusa attention. They were no longer the stunning, soft brown eyes she adored but two black pools with yellow torn irises stretching horizontally across each eye. She only knew half of the power of these eyes, for the ultimate power she will soon learn. She was a monster, the Gorgon Medusa!

* * *

     "Medusa, are you alright? We are all worried about you. We heard you screaming in banquet hall and then in the temple. Are you praying to Athena?" The questions came from Airlea standing outside of the temple at the main door. Medusa not only heard her outside but saw through the stone and wood door the devoted pretty red headed young girl that was Medusa's aid. Aid to a beautiful high priestess, not to this cursed demon woman. She had to act fast.

     "Airlea, go away. There were some difficulties but they have been resolved. Go back to your room," Medusa said trying sound reassuring. The harshness of her voice was unnatural and monstrous. She felt as if she swallowed a thousand needles with vinegar. She knew she was unsuccessful in driving away Airlea.

     "Medusa, my lady, you sound dreadful. I will tend to you immediately." Before Medusa could run to the door and secure from entry, Airlea pushed the massive door inside and stepped in. The look of fear and was frozen on her young face forever.

     Slowly, the body of Airlea began to turn to stone from the inside out. Airlea did not understand what was happening to her but she felt as if her whole body was becoming heavy, which it was, as her soul fell into a deep sleep inside of stone. Medusa agonized over the petrification of Airlea. She cried out, "Airlea, NO!"

     A voice inside her mind, like a fierce wind storm told her she was not dead but asleep. Not knowing where the voice came from Medusa tried to cradle the frozen statue of Airlea but it was too late, she was gone. This was the first person Medusa petrified with the eyes of the Gorgon. Unfortunately it would not be the last!

     Immediately, Medusa decided to run from the temple and hide herself in the hills of the mainland until she could find a way to remove the curse placed upon her or even kill herself before she petrified anyone else. She paused to consider going to her room, gather her scrolls, clothing, weapons and food for the long uncertain journey. Then she ran off to her tower, hoping she would not see anyone else. But the nightmare of her cursed life had only begun.

     "Halt!" a guard ordered Medusa to stop just as she reached the heavy wooden door of the tower domicile. She was thankful she was in the shadows, despite the full moon of the night.

     "Who are you? This tower is off limits to visitors. You will have to leave immediately!" The voice belonged to Captain Theron. Of all the people, he would be the one on duty to see Medusa in the dark. Another fortunate fate, her back was turned as well. Theron approached slowly, his hand on the hilt of the sword.

     "Theron, it is I, Medusa," she tried to manage a calm voice. What came out her mouth sounded like whispers of gargled gravel. "I am merely returning to my room to sleep. It has been a day of wonder."

     Theron heard the voice and was still not sure who it was. The hairs on his arms and neck were standing. He felt as if something evil was near. "Medusa? What is wrong with your voice? Most of us heard disturbing sounds from the hall and temple. Are you aware of a strong presence here?"

     "Yes, I went to the temple to investigate but it was merely the winds playing tricks on my birthday, it would seem." She took a step closer to the door. A few more steps she would be inside. Theron and the other male guards were forbidden to enter this dormitory unless danger was evident. Medusa thought to order him away but the suspicion would only further his resolve to find out what aura has settled on the temple he protected.

     "You do not sound well. Why don't I escort you to the healer so she may look at you."

     "NO!" She screamed. "I mean, the healer cannot help me. I feel ill from all of the food tonight. Please let me go to my quarters and-"

     "By the gods, Airlea! What has happened to you!" shouted one of the guards at the temple doors. He and another guard were out patrolling with Theron when they moved off and discovered the statue of Airlea at the doors. The detail of petrification made it easy to identify her as her face was set in a sad and horrified expression. Other guards and servants gathered around the statue. Murmuring started among them as they were speaking of a possible cause. Athena could have cursed Airlea for disobedience, some said. Others claimed it would be folly as she was just as obedient as the others at the temple. Panic began to set in as a few dropped to their knees to start to pray to Athena.

     "Come, we need to see about Airlea. A curse is upon us and you must find a way to appeal to Athena for help. Also you must appear to the others to calm their fears!" Theron grabbed Medusa hand quickly and pulled her into the moonlight. She fought against him.

     "No wait, don't!" the protest fell on deaf ears as Theron continued pull her close when he turned back to say something to Medusa.

     "Look, you are the only to-" he cut himself off as he saw the monster who called herself Medusa in the full moonlight. He attempted to scream but his voice grew cold as stone, as did the rest of him.

     "NO!" Medusa cried out.

     Before she could run, the crowd gathered in the courtyard now looking in her general direction. "Look!" another male servant shouted pointing at Medusa. Her head was bowed.

     "There is the monster that did this to our Airlea," a guard cried out.

     "And it seems to have done the same the Theron. Get her!" A cry of fear and anger was all Medusa heard as the people she had lived with for so many years, advanced on a dangerous monster. She held up her hands and backed away from the statue of Theron hoping to stop the crowd from attacking. She did just that.

     Two guards rushed her with swords drawn but once they caught a glimpse of the monster, they froze in their steps, faces frozen in anguish and pain. More guards rushed forward, Medusa turned from her domicile tower to make a run for the main gates. They eventually surrounded her only to be turned to stone. One person after another was turned into statues, caught in the final moments of their life with faces of horrified expression. She tried desperately to hide her face, to look away or cover her eyes, since Medusa no longer possessed eyelids. Nothing she did was effective enough to stop the curse from claiming one soul after another.

     Soon, the seventy-two people who inhabited the temple of Athena were now statues in a courtyard that once bustled with life and worship. A silent graveyard of monuments of tormented people, Medusa went from statue to statue mourning the loss of each individual she claimed. Some were on their knees in prayer, most were running away but foolishly looked back into Medusa's eyes. Medusa felt a foreboding sense of loneliness as she went to each frozen being mourning their death. She felt the most pain at Theron and Airlea, possibly the two people she loved the most while being the high priestess.

     "High priestess," Medusa said aloud. "I am no longer the high priestess. I am a monster, a monster that kills without mercy, a monster that destroys its own home!"

     A maniacal laugh escaped Medusa's being, dredged from the deepest parts of her soul. She paused and looked to the night sky looking the constellation that symbolized Athena. "I am the enemy to all things living or dead. I am now chaos! You hear me Athena? I am forever your enemy! Face me!"

     A column of light exploded behind Medusa knocking her off balance. When the light subsided, Athena, dressed in her signature golden armor and wearing a protective eye visor to guard against the gaze of Medusa, stood ready for battle. The Gorgon turned to face her new foe.

     "So you have the courage to face me. The visor will not protect you from my wrath. I will tear your godly flesh from your putrid bones," Medusa spat as she extended her hands bearing her new bronze nails.

     Athena turned her head in a manner suggesting she was examining the statues in the courtyard with distaste. Her hands reached out to caress a couple of the statues as she edged closer to Medusa.

     "After all I have done for you, you betray me. After all I have given you, you take my servants away. I now see your true nature, monster." Athena gestured with her open hand at the stone figures in the courtyard. "I will rebuild a new temple with new, more loyal servants. As for you, you will be banished to forever live among your own kind. You will be hunted and you will kill the hunters. You will be the blight of this world until the gods bring an end to it!"

     Medusa stood shocked for a moment to what Athena just announced. How could she be so wrong and dismissive of her situation? Was Athena jealous or even unreceptive to what her high priestess had gone through this night including the brutal punishment at her hands? With the events playing back so quickly in her mind, like a storm, Medusa shrieked as she lunged at Athena with a new found strength. For moment, Medusa achieved low level flight as she reached for Athena with her bare, bronzed hands. Athena took a step back in a defensive stance, then stepped forward at the right moment and backhanded Medusa so hard she was launched upward into the sky.

     Tumbling head over heels, Medusa sailed upward, unable to correct her position from the force of Athena's blow. Finally, the last words Medusa would hear Athena say was, "I banish you forever to suffer with your Gorgon kind!"

     Another energy burst blasted from the goddess' outstretched hands, slamming into Medusa with a tremendous blow it sent her sailing into the night, toward the south. Athena stood confident and victorious believing she had dealt with Medusa for the time being. She laughed as Medusa soared out of sight.

* * *

     An hour later, Medusa fell from the sky on to a desolate isle far across the sea. Her body landed on the more solid part of the beach/mountain island with an impact that created a hole nearly six feet deep, twelve feet wide. She lay in the crater she made for a moment hoping all of the previous night's activities was just a nightmare: every second from the moment Poseidon touched her to the fight with Athena and subsequent death of the occupants of the temple of Athena. All of their faces she would never forget as they would be frozen in stone forever.

     Medusa rolled onto her back and merely listened to the strange new environment. The hissing snakes of her hair would be something to get used to. But it was not her snakes she was aware of; this sound was approaching her slowly. She sat up and crawled to the edge of the crater to see two ghastly figures slowly make their way toward her. At the sight of each other, they startled themselves with shriek and fell back from each other.

     The first creature Medusa beheld was a misshaped creature with hair of blood red snakes, wings like a bat, legs resembling that of a wolf but its upper body was more massive, as that of a bear. It walked on all fours bronze claws at the tips of its hands and feet. Her head was a curious sight Medusa noticed. The right side of her head is larger than the left. The right eye the size of an almond whereas the left the size of grapefruit. The eyes were blood red and the iris (similar to Medusa's) looked as if they were ripped and torn. Her face had a look of astonishment and wonder, despite being frightened by the appearance of Medusa. The second creature was more menacing and terrible!

     It partially looked like a human female from the neck down to her stomach, but where legs would be was the lower body of a serpent, with a forked tail and stingers at each end. Her hands were gnarled and bearing bronze claws. She too also bared a head full of hissing vipers. But a difference between her and Medusa was that she had the capability of flight with large, insect like wings with a span of nearly twenty feet across. The eyes were white, signifying poison or sickness, sporting the same torn iris in its eyes. This serpent female appeared to have two mouths one either side of her face. They regarded their new visitor with curiosity.

     "A new addition to our family, Stheno," the misshapen creature spoke softly. The serpent, called Stheno smirked with her two mouths.

     "Who are you sister? Where do you come from? I am the Gorgon Euryale. This is Stheno. Have the gods sent you to us?"

     "I am Medusa," she said raising her head to meet the gazes of her new island mates. "The Gorgon Medusa." Medusa heard of the Gorgon creatures and ironically thought them to be a myth. Their physical appearances were not as accurate as the scrolls she happened to come across in her studies had declared. But then again, what living being could survive the encounter with these creatures and to give an accurate description of them. Looking into their eyes meant that she would not suffer the fate of other mortal creatures if they were to gaze upon them. Gorgon to Gorgon, the gaze would not affect one another. It would be interesting to see what Euryale and Stheno would do any intruders to this small island.

     Stheno slid closer to Medusa, introducing a pungent odor Medusa knew she would have to get used to. So many things would have to change if Medusa was to survive this curse. "What god has banished you here, sister Medusa?

     "Athena. I was a high priestess to her before she banished me here." Medusa bit back a lot of disparaging remarks about the two demons she would share habitation with. Much of her thoughts were still in fragments as she continued to make sense of what was her new world.

     Stheno looked at Euryale puzzled. "I do not understand, you were a human female before becoming a Gorgon?"

     "Yes, why is that surprising?"

     Euryale crawled up to Medusa. "We were born as Gorgons. No being transformed us. As far as we know, but we were cast here same as you."

     Stheno settled on her tail, opened her left mouth to pick some undigested food out of her teeth while the right mouth spoke. "We have been on this isle far from human civilization for three hundred years. Occasionally we hunt and kill any intruders to our island. They arrive by themselves or on a small fighting party seeking to claim our hides and heads for trophies."

     The second mouth of Stheno spoke. "Will you stand with us and destroy any and all who dare to challenge the power of the Gorgon?"

     Medusa looked at Euryale and then to Stheno. She turned and looked at the raging sea and into the darkening gray skies. "All who dare challenge us will die. And one day, we will leave this island to exact our revenge on those who sit on Olympus!"

     Euryale and Stheno were shocked by Medusa's declaration. They half expected Medusa to break down and reject her fate, but she seemed determined to not only embrace the curse, but make the power her own. Both Gorgons bowed to Medusa and then gently escorted her to the cave in which they dwelt. From the beach they walked in to a courtyard, somewhat similar to the one Medusa knew. This one was probably designed by the same mind who designed Athena's temple grounds. Smaller in area and less gaudy in design, the courtyard sported columns on the perimeter and simple marble benches evenly dispersed throughout. In some areas, piles of ash and charred remains were spread about as well as mounds of rotting flesh and bones.

     The smells therein reeked worse than death itself. However, Medusa thought, the Gorgon is a servant of Death. A small temple lay in the back of the courtyard. They entered it and not surprising to Medusa, it also resembled Athena's worship temple, again, smaller in design. With time to herself Medusa could determine how this temple and the Gorgons arrived on the island. At the back of the worship area were a flight of stone stairs that lead up into the mountain. From there, the stairs lead to a terrace and then to a cave. Euryale conducted Medusa inside and lit a torch for light.

     "Here is your area my new sister," Euryale said as she pointed to a corner of the cave. Ironically it was a dry clean spot, which Medusa was mildly thankful for. "I sleep in the opposite corner here and Stheno typically sleeps at the mouth of the cave."

     Medusa moved silently into her corner and sat down, drawing her knees to her chest. She felt tired and alone in this her new home with monsters. Luckily they would not attack her or make any move against her, at least for Euryale. Stheno, on the other hand, looked to be plotting some grand action, only waiting for the opportune time to strike. She watched the serpent coil herself and fall asleep at the cave entrance. Euryale remained dutiful to Medusa.

     "Are you not tired? Do you require some food? Or should we talk. I have so many questions." Euryale was like a child in some respects and Medusa wanted to cry because this horrible monster reminded her of Airlea, the beautiful red headed servant she once knew.

     "I promise we shall talk soon. For now, I need to collect my thoughts and rest," Medusa replied with a sigh.

     Euryale seemed to perk up a bit. "Then I shall find you some food and then we will talk in the morning hours." Euryale hopped on all fours out of the cave and down on to the island beach to hunt for food.

     Medusa turned her thoughts inward to focus on the events and happenings over the last several hours. One of them was to make sense of the voice she had been intermittently hearing since the conflict with Athena. Was it the creature that now lay deep inside of her, or is she suffering from of a mental break down? Those answers she would determine, along with the extent of the powers Athena foolishly granted her. She will use them to kill her and all who stood in the way of her revenge.

End of Chapter 6

Copyright © 2020, thegorgonmedusa.com, Tyrone Ross
Copyright © 2020, thegorgonmedusa.com, Tyrone Ross