The same grey hues were present, but this time Medusa could see even clearer and farther. And instead of red, as with the drakon, the only other colour present was blue. It shone like bioluminescence amidst the piles of blackened bones, illuminating cracks across femora and crumbling skulls.
Medusa turned, checking for a way back. A familiar tall wall of dark water waited, unlike the puddle she'd normally find in Clotho’s domain.
To meet my liberator in person. How unexpected. The whisper carried over to where Medusa stood, causing gooseflesh to rise across her skin. Nothing moved within her line of sight, all so eerily silent. Though she could sense Atropos’ presence, it was clear she wasn’t the one the key was interested in.
Come.
To the left and right, evenly spaced piles of bones stood as if deliberately arranged to mark a wide pathway. Each splashing step Medusa took forward caused gentle ripples to form and disrupt the still water. More of that death energy abounded, but not as pressing as it was in the water. Either that or the key was doing a better job at shielding her from it. Soon she began to make out the shapes ahead. An upright slab? She rushed forward only to come to an abrupt stop when she understood what she was looking at.
It was Atropos frozen in a stone slab, with her face being the only flesh exposed. Her left arm was stretched before her as if reaching for something unseen, and tightly coiled around her body were thorny vines. They wound around her neck, torso, arms and ankles. What were even more concerning were the cracks forming across her encased form.
It seemed her imprisonment wouldn't hold for long.
I shouldn't be here. I should turn back and run right now. Never before has her sense of self-preservation flared this wildly. Leave. Leave now!
But the key pressed forward, drawing her focus to what lay some feet before Atropos.
On an elevated altar bearing runes that glowed blue lay a mummified corpse. What snatched her attention wasn't the grisly display but something else that made the key buzz with warm excitement in her chest.
The oversized snipper pinning the corpse in place hummed with a dense energy completely divorced from aether and the Monolith’s essence.
The key wanted her to touch it.
Have you come to complete what you started?
Medusa dragged her attention from the snipper only to meet Atropos’ open eyes. She flinched under the heat of her glare and took an instinctive step back. Even frozen in place, the Moirai still managed to pour waves of crushing malice.
Why are you angry at me? Her rage was absurd. Medusa wasn't even present when Prometheus and Zeus played god with the Monolith. I'm the victim here!
Come closer, she commanded in that angry voice. Free me now.
A force yanked the air in Medusa’s lungs, jerking her forward. Alarmed, she strained against it, unconsciously drawing from the key to keep her feet planted. And it worked to the fury of Atropos. She could sense it in the way the dark energy pressed against her, flaring with a riotous heat.
The sound of a crack split the air.
I see she assisted your thievery. That fool will pay.
Indignation blasted through Medusa, but she released her clenched fists and hissed out a calming breath. She needed to handle this with a level head. Forcing herself to meet Atropos’ glare, she asked, “When you say she, do you mean Clotho?”
You have no business with the affairs of the Moirai, she spat. But yes, my sister is a fool, corrupted by humanity's weaknesses. A wrongness I shall soon correct.
Medusa’s head throbbed with another surge of fury. Why did those words burn so much? It felt like Atropos had insulted her mother.
Now I will give you two options, thief.
An incredulous laugh escaped. Thief? Did she just call the person who could grant her freedom a thief? “Ha!”
Release me, and I promise to give you a swift and painless death.
“Or?” Medusa asked through gritted teeth.
Or leave me trapped. But when we eventually meet again, I will show you the many faces of death.
Medusa chuffed internally. We’ve met thrice, and you still failed to kill me. Be ashamed.
Swallowing the bitter retort, Medusa said instead, “And how do I free you?” She even smiled for good measure.
It’s rather simple. Remove the snipper from that.
Medusa returned her focus to the corpse. Though the body looked ancient, its pruney, leathery skin revealed densely packed lines of writing too smudged to make sense of. Clotho mentioned sorcery from the South. Could this be it? Those writings across dried flesh, a missing limb, and the absence of two front teeth gave a hint of some morbid ritual.
And there was the snipper pinning the corpse in place. Polished silver with blades so sharp they promised the smoothest cut.
The key urged her to act. Though she could resist, her fury at the Moirai triggered her petty side and gave her a reason.
“So, all I have to do is remove this?”
Yes. Her voice grew breathy with eagerness. Be quick with it.
Taking measured steps forward, Medusa stopped before the altar. Air hummed around the snipper, and the key pulsed in response. She lifted her hand as if to grab the snipper, only to pause. “Ah.” Hugging her arm to her chest, she met Atropos’ black gaze. “I cannot free you.”
A chilling quiet was followed by another crack. You… you dare play with me.
“Play with you? You played with my life first!” Medusa spat, old fury rising. “You marked my husband for death.” She felt like ripping her heart out and flinging it when grief, harsh and sudden, attacked. “You stabbed me with the blade of my worst enemy.”
And may the Creator punish me for failing to end your life. Great ripples formed across previously still waters. You lot are an anomaly that should be erased—blotted off the face of Cosmolith for disrespecting the circle of time.
Disrespecting the circle of time? A harsh laugh spilt past Medusa’s lips. How curious the Moirai were. One was exceedingly naive, another directly and gleefully meddled with humans, and this one didn’t possess a shred of understanding or pity.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
I did not ask for this. Medusa wanted to shout the words, but she suddenly felt tired.
“You know what? Do your worst.” Medusa grabbed the snipper across the blade. The barest cut was all the key needed to pull in the energy the snipper held.
Someone was yelling in the background, but Medusa was deaf to the noise. Vision flashed past her closed lids. Many, many deaths, one of which was the corpse on the altar.
Understanding fell into place. Something called a death priestess or sorceress. A brazier used to harvest souls to restart the circle? There was something pristine about the ritual, almost holy. Atropos had not always been angry. Not that Medusa gave a damn about that.
Atropos wanted her dead. She'd be a fool to lie down and take it.
Medusa didn’t just harvest memories and understanding; there was also that unique essence—a signature distinct to Atropos. Using the key's authority, Medusa harvested it as well, drawing in a sizable chunk.
NOW YOU STEAL FROM ME?
The words went off like a blast in Medusa’s head, forcing her to the present. She let go of the blade and dryly watched her hand heal. A thin scar formed across her palm.
Lifting her eyes, she observed the Moirai’s contorted face. “You said I’m a thief. Why rage when I steal?”
Laugher. The chilling, baleful sound grew and grew, reverberating in grating waves that echoed around Medusa.
You stupid, stupid child.
“Only an idiot would give freedom to the one who seeks their death.” Medusa turned, intending to retrace her steps. The key, now content, hummed softly in her sternum.
In these shackles, I learned cruelty. Her voice was unexpectedly calm, with each word measured with deadly promise. Those who steal from me, I never forgive. You will know true death.
Medusa had seen the only death Atropos handled in person. Hephaestus, Zeus’ most beloved son, was the corpse now chaining her to an eternal imprisonment.
Well, no longer eternal. Because Medusa had seen the moment Atropos’ restraints had begun to fail. Her return to Cosmolith had somehow compromised the Moirai’s imprisonment. She had probed the key, seeking a way to strengthen the Atropos’ chains, but it offered no solution.
Those wings you have grown to trust, I shall break them, Atropos spat; her voice, now enraged, carried after Medusa as she marched for the barrier. Continue to look over your shoulder as you wait for me. I swear by my Creator to come for you. I swear it!
Go away. I hate you too.
The childish urge to flip Atropos off came, but Medusa clenched her fists as she continued walking.
If Atropos’ aim was to terrify her, it wasn’t working. That her heart was currently slamming against her chest simply meant she was eager to explore all she gained today. That was it.
I’m not scared. She repeated the line like a mantra as she dived, swam and appeared on the other side.
Now that she was farther away from Atropos’s presence, her heart settled a little. The fog had vanished, and she could see the place much clearer than she had before. It seemed like a large cave, but with structures built in. She spotted distant doors, more columns and shelves that resembled those in Clotho’s domain. It would have been a nice hideout if Atropos’ death energy hadn't polluted the place.
She strolled over to the drakon's corpse and observed it. Perhaps she went a little too far with her attack. Its head was a pulpy mess of blood and gore, and the red was completely greyed out. Still, this should be useful. Its scales had been impenetrable after all.
Withdrawing her dagger, she hunkered next to the beast and stabbed. The resistance remained, though not as powerful as what she felt when it was alive. She should take it, but she wasn’t sure if her domain could contain its size.
Other worries arose at once.
From what she saw in those visions, it was Zeus himself who kept Atropos trapped. Would he know that his guard lizard had been killed? Would he come to check? And most worrying of all, would Atropos tell him Medusa had paid a visit? She seemed petty enough. Or not. She may be the type who hates her enemies through and through, refusing to use them in her path of revenge.
Truly, it was inevitable. Casting her mind to the time they first met, Atropos hadn’t seemed murderous until she found out who her husband was. There was nothing she could have done to salvage this bitter reality. And, worst of all, Perseus was at her side.
What are the horrible odds?
“I should forget it for now,” Medusa mumbled. “Let’s see if this works.”
She grabbed the drakon's fluffy tail and tried to pull it into her domain.
—-
Medusa drew a deep breath of fresh air when she finally made it out of that suffocating death cave. The refreshing smell of the wind. And the colours. Lovely, bright colours. She had just stretched when she felt it.
Clotho's connection snapped back in place. The Moirai spoke immediately.
What happened? Her voice sounded shaky. I thought you died. I pressed with my Sight but saw only darkness.
Relief washed over Medusa. She had feared that their link was compromised or permanently gone.
I found Atropos. Then she went on to explain everything that happened except the part about drawing from Atropos’ snipper. As she recounted it, her heart began to race anew.
Continue to look over your shoulder as you wait for me…
Medusa gulped. I'm not scared.
Oh, she sounds furious, Clotho said with a chuckle. Don't worry. I'll speak to her.
Alarm flared at Clotho’s words. Please, don't, Medusa rushed to say. She seemed really enraged this time. She added you to her targets.
Clotho laughed. I've known Atropos longer than she's been imprisoned. So don't—
I'm begging you, Clotho. Medusa poured all the earnestness she could muster into the link. At least wait a little. Now that I have the key, I'm not such an easy target.
Hmmm. You really are concerned about me. How strange. There was a smile in her voice. I like this… this novel feeling. Fine. But the moment I sense a strange threat to your life, I'll act without seeking permission.
That's fine. Medusa gulped again as she nodded. Some ease returned to her heart. How’s Akrivi? Any progress?
Patience, child. Your requests were bordering on impossibility, you know?
I'm just asking. Now that death breathed so closely, she wanted to be done with everything as quickly as possible.
Come see me later, Clotho said before her presence faded.
Medusa noticed it then, a lone figure approaching from a distance. Zooming her vision revealed it was Hippolyta. Not wanting anyone near where Atropos was imprisoned, Medusa raced to join her.
She was in her centaur form and held a struggling Rico by the scruff as she galloped. She stopped when she noticed Medusa.
“What was that?” Suspicion was heavy in her voice. Then she took in Medusa’s appearance. “And why did you change attire?”
She scowled at how carelessly Hippolyta was handling Rico. He was pawing the air as he hissed and twisted for freedom.
“Let him go.”
“No,” Hippolyta flatly replied. “You will tell me why you suddenly fled so far away.”
“Fled?” Medusa scowled. She truly wasn't in the mood for this. “Look, I—”
Queen Otrera appeared so suddenly that Medusa leapt a good thirty feet away. A blink after, and the queen was before her, holding her chin and peering at her face.
Eyes narrowed, she asked. “How did you do it?”
“Huh?” Confused, Medusa blankly stared at the Amazon.
“That wrongness is gone.” Straightening, she looked around, arms akimbo and full hair shifting in the wind. “Such a neat culling. I sense nothing amiss. Just as normal as it was a few months back. No more beast rampage, hopefully.”
The queen turned back to Medusa, beaming this time. “It was beginning to take a toll, maintaining a domain this large to keep Zeus’ gaze away.”
Medusa’s eyes widened when she noticed it. There was indeed a dome, the most expansive she had ever sensed, spread out as far as her eyes could see. Then it was suddenly gone, the action coinciding with the queen's deep breath. She appeared more refreshed as her subtle age lines vanished.
“Mother, are you sure?” Hippolyta asked as she came to a stop next to them.
The Queen looked at Hippolyta and clicked her tongue. “Of course I am. And give the child her pet. This is no way to treat a visitor and helper.”
“Ah… apologies.” She finally released Rico. He yipped as if scolding her before bounding for Medusa.
Hugging Rico to her chest, Medusa opened her senses, checking for that dark energy. It was truly gone. That was a cause for worry. She knew for a fact that Atropos was very much present and slowly regaining freedom. That her energy suddenly vanished meant she withdrew it and was up to something.
“Come, daughter of mine.” The Queen threw an arm over Medusa’s shoulder, dispersing her worry. “Today we feast in celebration.”
The best you are, my friend.
Should Medusa have released Atropos?
