My Curse, My Name
This is my story. My name you know. But not the real tale. Not what really happened to me.
And not how I was saved...
I was once the most beautiful in my village. Until Poseidon's eye fell on me.
At first he was kind and charming but it wasn't long until I saw his aggression. Caught him beating a village boy and spurned him.
But what Greek God would let a mere mortal go so easily. Certainly not he.
When he came to me and said that he would claim me as his, I fled to Athena's temple.
Poseidon took me there on the dirt and marble and then let his soldiers do the same. Until I was sullied, pitiable creature. When I asked Athena why she'd not protected me she spat on me and told me I had ruined the sanctity of her temple with my acts on the floor.
Horrified I watched in shock as she cursed me. Her magic winding from her arms in golden whips of light. Such a pretty glow that would do something so ugly.
I was turned into a monster. Cursed that anyone who should look upon me would be turned to stone and never able to take another breath.
I was condemned to be forever isolated.
Soon my name would be known around the globe as something to cringe from.
Something to fear.
I am Medusa.
That horrific day was only the beginning of my suffering. But my salvation would come from the most unlikely of places.
As I sat on Temple Hill. Sobbing in my isolation as the evening descended.
I saw the dancing fey people freeze where they stood. Something they always did when mortals drew near.
But never had I seen them stare as they did now. They were intent. Watching something with rapt appreciation.
"Don't come over her." I called over the hill. Afraid it was a human.
"You'll not harm me." A man's voice emerged just as his head appeared over the boulders.
He walked smoothly, silkily. Like some manner of feral predator. He stood over me. His shadow blocking the sun.
I put up an arm to block him looking at me.
He pushed it down and held out a long, slim-fingered hand. "Let's see what we can do to save your pretty soul."
It was the strangest thing I'd imagined anyone saying to me. But I instinctively trusted him.
Rising to my feet, I could suddenly see why the fey people had stared.
He was a dark imposing figure. Immaculately dressed in a black tunic, breeches and dark boots. His shoulders wide and his figure strong.
His eyes were so brown they were nearly black but despite the severe cut of his features. He was unmistakably beautiful.
"W-Who are-are you?"
"I am the one who cleans up the messes my brothers leave. I'm the only one with honor."
I blinked at him in confusion.
"I, am Hades..."
