Perseus
“It is said, Perseus, that you will end my curse. Have you not come to remove my head from its body?” Her voice echoed off the walls of the cave. Hissing through my ears. I shifted my weight around to lean against the cool stone column. Ready to defend myself if needed.
“We have been here for three days playing Zeus and Hades. I’m growing tired. Make your choice, Son of Zeus.
The hissing grew louder, vibrating off her stone graveyard. My ribs pulse from when I first fell into this cave.
“I was sent by Poseidon, Medusa, to kill you. That is not my intention.” The hissing settled. My chest rose swiftly and fell slowly; the air expanded, adding pressure to my lungs against my swollen ribs. I knew she could hear me. I knew she knew exactly where I was standing.
Her survival depends on her trusting me. I thought to myself. My sword and shield fell to my sides. Keeping my eyes open to face her.
“Your chances of turning me into stone were many. So why haven’t you?” You could hear her head tilt; the snakes on top of her head flowing with her.
“You had the chance to kill me. Why haven’t you?” she asked.
Forcefully, making the way out from behind the column and into the light; ready to face Medusa. This must be one of the dumbest things I have done in this lifetime.
The struggle of my mind with my body made my breath go shallow within my lungs. I stepped closer as she backed away. I tossed my weapon and shield to the side. Putting my hands in the air, slowly took another step, and then another. She did not move. Curiosity shadowed her face.
“Tell me your story.” I breathed out with force. As I took my last step. Our breathing tightens, not sure what could happen next for the two of us. Just stood there a moment staring into her blue eyes.
“I thought your eyes would be green,” I said aloud.
Eyes widened, then froze with a puzzled expression across her face. She stepped back again. A hiss came from her body, a warning from just her. Not from the pile of snakes on top of her head.
“Why am I not stone Medusa?”
“Because I choose not to turn you into stone, Perseus,”
Sighing with frustration, I needed to get her out of here.
“Your fighting was of defense and defense only, not attack. I believe your words of not wanting to kill me. So what do you want?” Her snakes danced through the air. They were enjoying themselves.
Smiling in their delight, it was nothing I had seen before. I could swear Medusa grinned a moment over my delight at the locks of snakes.
“Why did you foolishly step out with your eyes open?”
“Because your eyes are blue like mine,” I smiled at her.
She smiled back. Shocked by her response, her face turned red. She swiftly faced a stone column adjacent to me.
She wasn’t all green as I had pictured her to be. Her scales were all over her in patches of metallic glisten against her dark brown skin. The snakes on her head framed her face like locks.
It was her clothing that surprised me. She’d easily fit into a high-end party of the gods. Not wearing clothing styles from centuries past that are no longer fashionable.
But if she never leaves the cave, how di-
Who do you need me to kill? I’ll grant it. Her response caught me off guard.
The lock of snakes expanded through the air again, but in frustration this time. Their bodies are tense.
“My head shook in response; I don’t need you to kill anyone. I need to get you out of here. Poseidon might have sent me here to kill you, but the goddess Athena sent me to protect you. “
She laughed. I could feel the snakes slither through the air. Their presence is sharp with precision. Medusa snapped around; one of her snakes brushed my cheek, its warm skin matching the warmth of mine. Our blue eyes observed each other’s faces.
“And go where, Perseus? Where? Her last trail off.
Whispering this time. “Perseus, I am hunted in this cave; I refused to be tormented on the outside. Why does the son of Zeus want to protect the vile Medusa so terribly?“
A small hiss tickled my cheek. It warned me to answer its master.
Cold drops of water fell between the stapes of my sandals. The smell of iron molding with the crisp air, droplets continued to sink from the bedrock.
She must be so scared and have lost hope in a life outside of here. I would.
“Because” my leg quivered.
Because in every lifetime, I want to protect you and be by your side. I want to be in your heart; my heart already holds you. I thought to myself.
The warmth of my skin made the snake’s scales slightly cooler against my face.
Looking down at the worn-out sandals wrapping around my filthy feet, then back at those blue eyes. That has fire, hope, and doubt, reflecting on me.
I could not tell her that. She would never leave this cave. Or believe me. I ran my hands through my hair, sucked in a sigh, then released it.
Let’s confess the other half of my thoughts. Reassuring myself.
“I want your help to right the wrongs against you. Athena told me stories about you when I was younger, about your character and temperament.” I grabbed the ends of my hair. Why would I say that last thought?
How do I get her out of here? What would she do if I threw her over my shoulder? I think she would kill me.
I grabbed her shoulders. “We are leaving now, Medusa.” I grabbed my sword and shield from the ground, pulled her by the forearm, and headed to the opening of the cave.
She did not protest as I weaved us up, around her stone graveyard. Ducking underneath the giant in the middle of the cave. I eyed the opening above us. That same opening, I tripped through and ended up bruising my ribs on the stone giant.
“Medusa, do you have another way out of the cave, or do we climb up?
Perce, did you walk here?
No, I- startled by the term of endearment and the sweetness of her voice. I turned around and smiled at her. Did she comprehend what she said? She tipped her head to the side with those doe eyes. Or did she?
“No, I came on Pegasus.”
She smacked me on the head. “Then we are not climbing anything; summon your flying horse, Perce.”
I beamed as she called me Perce again; she knew what she was saying.
“Come on, Perce, get it together. Flirt later. How could I forget about Pegasus? “I mumbled.
“Because you’re too busy trying to flirt with me.” She chuckled.
Motionless and amazed. “Trying? You.. is it not working?”
“Perseus, call the horse.”
