The Choice
She laid on the cold marble, her dress in tatters. She sobbed quietly, breath hitching in her throat. She focused on regulating her breathing before she dared to look up at the statue in front of her. “Athena I...” she paused briefly as another wave of grief passed through her, “I’m so sorry” she choked out through her tears. She lowered her head in shame.
She cried soundlessly until she heard a gentle voice say “My devoted follower, why are you apologizing when it is I who should apologize to you? You did not deserve what you endured, in my temple no less, and yet I was unable to do anything to prevent it” The girl could only stare in shocked silence as the statue in front of her spoke.
With great difficulty the girl, at length, responded, “My lady I have desecrated your temple.” She lowered her gaze, “I can no longer be one of your priestesses.” “That is true,” Athena said thoughtfully as the girls’ tears fell unchecked onto the tattered dress she wore. “However, it is not your fault” Athena’s tone grew angry, “None of this is your fault, and yet you cannot be a priestess again. The other Gods will not allow me to make an exception for you, despite how much I love you.”
The girl smiled briefly, “Thank you my lady, I love you as well.” Athena nodded as if that decided something, “I’m going to offer you a choice my dear. I cannot do anything to reinstate you as a priestess however I can offer you protection from any who wish to cause you harm. It is a transformation unlike any done before and it will be both a blessing and a curse should you choose to accept it. The alternative is to remain a human woman. It is your choice to make.”
“He could never hurt me again?” the girl asked in a whisper. “No, he would not want to. This transformation would turn your beauty into strength.” The girl pondered this statement for a moment, “I accept your gift my lady.” Athena nodded and the girl suddenly felt her hair start to wriggle and move while her sight improved tenfold. “Thank you” sighed the girl, feeling relief for the first time since the attack. Athena hugged the girl tightly, “I’m sorry it had to come to this, but I hope my gift gives you the peace you deserve. Goodbye Medusa.” “Goodbye.”
