After The Sunset The Stars As My Witness

Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months and months turned into uncertainty. Perseus held his face, elbow pressed against the table. The captain and his crew drowned out his thoughts with their drunken slurred tales most of them made up trying to outshine the other sailors. Everyone shouting at the top of their lungs, all their words meshing up to what a disaster could sound like. Perseus thought he would have gotten used to this by now, but the more he was around them the more annoyed he was by them. He couldn't lash out either because he needed them to get to wherever the gorgon resided.

An eye and a tooth he silently recited over and over again like saying it would manifest whatever his clue was. Gently tagging on his inner lip with his teeth he stared at the wooden mouldy fungi-infested ceiling. He drew up images like he would the stars. An eye and a tooth he continued to recite.
A cyclope maybe… he thought while picturing a friendly cyclope from the last time he had encountered one as a child.
It did have an eye but did it have one tooth? He asked, squinting his eyes tightly as if that would make him travel faster through the memory or at least make it a bit clearer.

“Perseus!” One of the crew members, Peggon, aggressively nudged, abruptly interrupting his journey through his mind. Everything he said after calling Perseus was a chain of slurred words that almost sounded like a different language. Every time Peggon paused to breathe Perseus would nod to appear attentive, patiently waiting for Peggon to find a new victim to drown in his words. He looked past Peggon, hoping to find something to distract him as he pretended. His eyes locked with young men who had already been watching him. “Not him again” he whispered under his breath “Peggon I hate to interrupt, but I have to go outside for a bit” Peggon laughed saying something inaudible as he made space for Perseus to move.

Outside he anxiously yet patiently waited for the young man to follow him, which the young man did shortly. “What now,” Perseus asked not even trying to hide how annoyed he was, that had been the 8th time that day Hermes had appeared out of nowhere disguised as someone else. “For the same reason I have been paying you a visit,” Hermes said, eyeing Perseus’ “I have the feeling you are not taking good care of my majestic sandal,” Hermes sighed aggressively a white cloud of breath escaped into the cold night. “Like all the 8 times you visited today alone and the millions of times you have shown up, I have not worn the sandals yet”

“Well I have to see for myself, I don’t trust demi-gods,” He said grabbing the bag “Not god enough to be amongst gods not human enough to exist here” He carelessly searched the bag cutting himself with the sword that was hidden in the bag “Ouch, Ouch, Ouch” He tried to suppress the intensity of the pain, but the way he winced, threw the bag and shook gave it away.
Perseus pretended not to notice what happened but the smirk on his face that tried to conceal his laughter shimmered in the dark. Hermes snapped at the site of this “You see, you can't even be responsible enough to wrap up such a sharp object,” Perseus responded with suppressed chuckles that escaped through his nose. Hermes ignored him as he emptied the bag. He held his Sandals inspecting them with the aim to find damage.
“Find anything?” Perseus asked unconcerned. “Uh-huh,” Hermes jolted after looking into the bag again. “I was hoping you would show concern,” Hermes sarcastically said, showing Perseus a feather barb pinched between his thumb and index. Perseus squinted his eyes trying to figure out what he was supposed to be seeing. Hermes wiggled his wrist closer to Perseus, and there it was, thinner than a strand of hair. “Well how do I avoid this next time,” he sarcastically shrugged. “I don't know, Perseus. Maybe a fortune teller or better yet wrap the sword” Hermes ripped a part of his clothing to wrap the sword

“A fortune teller,” Perseus responded
“Well no. The option you were supposed to pick was to ‘wrap the sword’,” He wrapped the sword and packed everything away.
“No, I meant I could use a fortune teller,”
Hermes looked at Perseus worried “I don't think they could help”
“Why not,”
“Because you are already being assisted by the divine,” Hermes tilted his head
“Can you assist me?”
“On a condition,” He smiled “I keep the sandals and return them during your emergencies”
“And how to summon you when I'm in an emergency”
“Like so…” he sat on a barrel, rubbed his hands back and forth 4 times, then clicked his fingers twice, then joined his hands with a clap in front of his chest as though praying.
“No” Perseus frowned “I don't have time for games” he dismissed
“Then you really don't need my assistance,” He walked into the darkness
“You know I can find them myself,” He yelled, He could but it would take longer without Hermes’ help.
“Fine,” he said, causing Hermes to stop and turn to face him, “I agree,” he said gently chewing his inner cheeks. Hermes slightly squinted his eyes to study the eagerness as he approached Perseus.
“As long Athena agrees with it,” he said with a devilish smirk “14 days is all I'm offering”
Hermes didn't look offended but a little impressed and annoyed “Fine, Close to us right now are two Zolinae and Hovam. Zolinae would be the best option, a little playful, she could be a little distraction,” He sheepishly smiled “The best I’ve set eyes on, she travels a lot to help and assist people. Let me take you to her,” He begins to lead the way.

“And Hovam?” Perseus curiously asked. “The devil,” he said with a disgruntled tone and posture “Working with him is like signing a deal with the devil, and from what I’ve seen he doesn’t have the gift but plays the role so perfectly, I’m almost impressed”

“I want Hovam, lead me to him,” Perseus nodded. Hermes didn't argue but the discomfort on his face with Perseus’ decision spoke louder than his silence.

“Here we are,” Hermes pointed at the only other house lit in the dark street. “And Cyclops don't have one tooth,” He softly smiled, rolling his eyes before leaving. Perseus watched as Hermes blended into the darkness.

Perseus walked towards the house, the door was slightly opened, but before he could knock on the door, a woman busted gently through the doorway with a child. When she saw Perseus she nodded with a faint smile to acknowledge his presence, then walked off into the night leaving the door open. A man followed and stood by the entrance. “How can I help you?” The man asked calmly with a hint of defensiveness. “Homav, I'm here in search of him” Perseus responded, trying not to look or sound like a threat. “He isn’t available till the morning,” The man said, exiting the house to lock up. “I can’t wait till the morning, it is an emergency,” he politely protested, fighting the urge to beg. “It’s late,” he dismissed and walked away. “I am Persues the son of Zeus,” He introduced himself as he followed the man. The man continued striding on. Did he not know who Zeus was? Perseus wondered to himself. Medusa. His mind pounced.

“I’m on a quest…” the man paced faster as if trying to run. “To retrieve the head of the mortal gorgon…” the man’s pace began to slow down “Medusa” Perseus said, the man instantly halted in his tracks. Wide eyed, he stared Perseus up and down before he strolled back into the house.

Perseus stood outside the door for a short while that felt like aeon. “Hovam is ready to see you” he bowed his head signalling his hand towards the dark passage that had a light peeking from underneath the door. Perseus walked carefully towards the door as the man followed behind. When he got to the door he turned to the man behind him waiting for a signal from his silhouette, the man nodded. Perseus slid the door meeting eyes with a round older man, well dressed and at ease as though he had been anticipating this meeting. On the table he sat behind were a deck of tarot cards, crystal balls that look like enormous pearls dancing with different waves of color within and bowls displayed behind him filled with jewels and crystals.

“Welcome,” Hovam signalled to the brittle looking chair in front of him.Gently he sat as he nodded acknowledgingly.
“I hear you are the son of Zeus insearch of the gorgon”
“Yes,” Perseus responded.
“What’s in it for me?” Hovam raised an eye brow
“I’m going to pay your services”
Hovam scratched his chin looking at the man who brought Perseus, he stood still behind like a statue.
“Give me its head when you’ve retrieved it” He said still looking at the man
“I have already promised its head to another,”
“That's all I need from you, son of Zeus,”
“And what if it doesnt exist?”
“It does,” the man behind Perseus argued
“And have you seen it” Perseus turned to face him
“Well…,” he stopped to see if Hovam approved.
“Let’s say it doesn’t exist,” Hovam scratched underneath his chin
“What did you have in mind,” he responded eyebrows furrowed still facing the man who was avoiding eye contact.
“Well…” Hovam cleared his throat “Have you heard of a monoceros, a stallion with a majestic horn in the center of its head”
Perseus had encountered it before but was uncomfortable about recounting that encounter. He simply shook his head, faking curiosity and ignorance.
“Bring its horn to me instead even if the gorgon exists since the head has been promised to another,”
“You have a deal” Perseus looked at the tarot cards “Now for where I can find the gorgon”
“Hunclox,” he signalled to the man behind Perseus “Medusa is hidden by some supernatural being. Neither my tarot cards nor my crystal ball can give you the answer you so desire,”
Impatience slowly brewed within Perseus, fighting the urge to pounce onto the other side of the table. “So you don’t know where it is?” he clenched his jaw.
“no one does,” Hovam shuffled his deck of tarot. “But Hunclox has met a woman who has met the gorgon and survived it,” placing his cards back on the table “He will go on this quest with you,”
“And maybe you show me the head when you return,” He smirks. Perseus was almost there.

As for his mother, Danae, she had overstayed her visit the moment she mentioned Perseus. Testing her father’s patience every day she tried to convince him the prophecy was a hoax. “Your return was meant to be exciting but you truly havent lost your touch with raining on a good day,” King Acrisius dismissed what Danae had said. “What would his motive be to kill you, father? You're his grandfather, his family?” Danae continued inquisitively. “Well its better we don't find out,” Danae stared at her mother hoping she would defend Perseus but Queen Eurydice focused on her meal and paid no attention to the conversation like the many times Danae’s had brought it up since she arrived months ago. “He is a respectful, smart, brave man and has a big kind heart like no other,” Danae said pridefully. “And?” The King shrugged unimpressed.

“Father, if you must know,” Danae paused, preparing herself to dish out Perseus’ whereabouts. “He is on a quest as we speak, a very dangerous quest…” Saying this made her hope Perseus would succeed “To behead the gorgon,” Instantly the queen pulled her eyes away from her food shooting a glare at her Daughter and then her husband who seemed to have lost his speech all of a sudden. “Medusa?” Her mother asked, concerned. Danae nodded contently. “Alone?”Eurydice asked. “Yes,” Danae nodded. “Danae!” Her mother snapped “Armies that have gone after the gorgon have never returned, and you let him go alone,” Eurydice’s concern turned into disappointment “He could die out th…” “Mama…” Danae tried to intercept “For someone who has been preaching love for your son. You sure have a funny way of showing it” Eurydice interrupted.

“Mama…” She caught her breath, “Perseus has never failed, He shall find the gorgon and behead it…Imagine the respect and power that will surround your kingdom. The kingdoms surrounding us will be singing praises. You need to welcome him to Argos so everyone knows who he is to the King,” She gently placed her hand on her father’s hand. She was beginning to sound like Perseus. “And he will bring her head,” He finally broke from his trance. Danae nodded with a smile of certainty. The King smiled seemingly impressed, contemplating welcoming his grandson back into the Kingdom, then suddenly he heard the words from the oracle years ago echoing the prophecy in his mind, His face instantly emulated disgust, annoyance and anger. “And what if he uses the gorgon’s head to kill me?” The king lifted himself from the table charging towards the exit. “You don't understand,” Danae cried “My son is in exile over a prophecy he doesn't even know about and unlike you I care about my child,” The King didn't respond or wait to hear what she had to say.

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NB: This is one of my many books I started and attempted to finish. The above story is a Medusa retelling inspired by many stories, articles, blog post, forums and pinterest art depictions I consumed through the year. My fascination with Medusa started in 2018, which is also when my curiosity for Greek mythology began. In 2022 is when I finally began to write this story with hopes to be done with it by 2023. I am still working on it and thought I could publish what I have written so far so I could stop constantly editing what I've written so far. I will try to publish a chapter a week. The characters in the story are from the stories I've read and some have been created. This is a Fictional story and is not an accurate depiction of the Mythology, locations and characters. The CONTENT WARNING is for the future chapters that maybe graphic or triggering to the reader.



Thank you for reading!!!



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