After The Sunset The Stars As My Witness

Whispers paced around him with hints of his name. Blinking his eyes open his eyes were met by blurry figures hovering above him. When his eyes finally cleared, standing above him were two unfamiliar faces, he sat up to study his surroundings. Surrounded by trees that stood away from them, letting the sunlight dance between the three strangers before them. Choirs of birds screamed competitively, it seemed. Perseus ran his fingers through the soft rich grass trying to figure out how he'd gotten there as the two strangers studied him.

Where am I? He silently asked himself.
“Mycenae, your new home” The woman responded as if she read his mind.
“Not yet, ” The man snapped “At Least let us Introduce ourselves first before we…”
She shot a deadly glare that instantly muted and paralysed the man.

She was dressed like a warrior ready for war, black hair as dark as charcoal. She had thick eyebrows that seemed to be permanently furrowed, her lips didn't show any sign of a crescent or welcoming expression, her face was hard. Her face seemed to exude anger, annoyance, dissatisfaction and boredom. Her eyes were a deep grey, that seemed like they could cause chaos and order by just glaring. They looked like the kind of eyes you wouldn't dare explore because it would drive you crazy, those eyes weren't the gateway to her soul but elsewhere. She stood with a perfect posture that revealed the weight of her confidence and authoritative aura, she was not to be messed with. Though Perseus would dare not to admit it through words or body language, this woman intimidated him a bit.

“I am Athena, daughter of Zeus. I am the goddess of wisdom and war” she introduced herself.
“And I am Hermes, also the son of Zeus. I am the herald to the gods and humans. I am the god of wealth and travellers” The man introduced himself.
He was dressed like a traveller with a petasos adorned with a pair of wings with golden hair that seemed to have a tint of pink or mahogany or copper peeking from underneath his petasos. He had a smooth youthful face that made him appear to be a boy approaching his manhood or beginning the journey. He had a permanent smile engraved on his face even when he tried to be serious. He had blue eyes, reflecting adventure and excitement but a mystery as well.

“We have come to assist you with your quest to retrieve Medusa’s head," Athena said, her eyes pinned on Perseus. Perseus found himself nodding involuntarily it seemed until he remembered that he was supposed to be going to Argos and nowhere else.

“But…” Perseus attempted to concoct an excuse that was god worthy. Before he could come up with an excuse Hermes picked up a bag from beside Athena that seemed to have appeared from nowhere. “Our gifts to you,” Athena said, digging into the bag, dismissing whatever Perseus had attempted to say.

She pulled out a golden band that illuminated a golden light on the engraving of a pair of eyes at the front, a pair of wings at the side, one on the left and the other on the right with claw marks randomly engraved throughout the band. “This is a crown. You must wear this when you encounter her. This will protect you from her deadly gaze, you will not be turned to stone.” She handed the band to Perseus. As soon as the band was in Perseus’ hands the light that illuminated and the engravings from it died out. The golden band was smooth; he could neither feel nor see the engravings that disappeared with the light.

“This is the sword you will use to behead her. It can cut through anything even that which you can not see” she ran her finger across the blade cutting herself, her blood sinking into the sword like water on the soil. She handed Perseus the sword after studying the sword like she had never seen it before or a valued gift she didn't want to part with. “Be Careful, like the head of Medusa, when this sword falls into the wrong hands, inconceivable damage worse than that of Pandora” She watched Perseus’ eyes glimmer with excitement as he studied the magnificent sword that felt majestic and powerful in his hand.

“This bag is where you will store the head and the sword for now,”She threw the bag from Hermes to Perseus.

“And to get there…” she paused to stare at Hermes who was meant to finish what she had said “We will make sure as you cruise through the oceans or anywhere you will be safe” he said quickly turning away from them so he could leave. Athena Lunged in front of him clearing her throat with her jaws clenched and her grey gaze of terror looking straight into Hermes’ eyes “Oh, how could I forget” he said with a nervous hysterical laugh. He turned away to face Perseus with the annoyance and anger of someone who couldn't shoot the messenger. “For fast cruising…” He crouched, removing his sandals as slowly as he could without making it look like he was intentionally being slow, pretending like he was struggling to remove them.

Finally he had taken his sandals off after an agonizing wait “These sandals will take you anywhere you want. They are as fast as lightning bolt,” Holding the sandals close to his chest as if he was giving away his life. “Only to be worn during emergencies…Do not damage them,” He said with an ingenuine smile because Athena stood near Perseus to have a clear view of Hermes. “And I will be dropping in to see…to check on you” He gently handed them to Perseus. “How do I use them?” Perseus asked. “ Would you like me to show you how to wear them too?” Hermes Sarcastically asked, throwing his hands onto his waist. “I dont know either.You will have to figure it out,”He scoffed with a menacing shrug.

“How will I find her?” Perseus looked away from Hermes seeming unphased as he faced Athena. Before Athena could say anything Hermes dashed between them, his arms crossed his face attempting to be fearful “Firstly you’ll get a companion who will help…”

“No need to search for them, they will offer themselves to your disposal” Athena Continued
“After that…the gorgons location will be revealed to you by” Hermes dramatically paused, smirked with the excitement he had before or an attempt of an evil smile “AN EYE AND A TOOTH”He sighed waiting for Perseus to ask questions, but Perseus dared not to waste his time asking questions. He simply nodded hoping they’d add more to the information “And Perseus, when you have beheaded her bring her head to me. In Mycenae and in return I will gift this kingdom to you. Zeus, our father, will bless you and your kingdom with power and all the riches”

Our father. That made shivers erupt all over his body, Athena had finally addressed their relation after what felt to him as though she was treating him like a mere mortal that they helped because of pity.

She pointed out in the distance to show him his way out, As he walked he felt himself fade away from the realm.
“Do you really think he will manage” Hermes attempted to whisper his doubt
“Yes, he is more than capable” Athena responded coldly
And I will be victorious Perseus whispered in his heart, disappearing from the realm that would be his.

Lost in her thought, Medusa recounted her dreams like a vivid memory she shouldn't remember.

It was the silhouette again but like all the times she had dreamed of it she couldnt tell what the shape was meant to be. They were searching for a waterfall, the river reaching her waist. When they found the waterfall, she was amazed by the view, she turned around but the silhoette was not there anymore. As her eyes paced around, they were caught by the water that had been pigmented by blood that surrounded her. As she tried to figure out why she seemed to be the epicenter of the blood she saw a sword in her hand and a deep wide wound where her heart was supposed to be. Before she could ask questions to herself she saw Athena’s reflection on the sword, all she could think of was to run because the last they had met she had regretted. Running through the water that hugged her and slowed her down, she started to sink, the more she fought the faster she sank. She woke up before she could hit the bottom

“Medusa!!!” Euryale disturbed, peeking through the whole at the top of her cave. “Another dream you’re wondering about?” Euryale asked curiously. “Yes” Medusa responded a bit deflated climbing out of her cave “It’s the same dream again” she sat beside Euryale watching Meritus boarded the survivors on to boats to assist them escape. “The dreams seem to hint death” Medusa nudged Euryale “Mama always used to say such dreams mean the end of something to allow new beginings” Euryale tried reassure her. She scuffed at the thought of her getting a new begining. “Medusa…” Stheno shadow glided above them,interrupting Euryale “We have eachother” she continued before flew off to catch up⁰ with Stheno to follow the boats to make sure the survivors would remain survivors. Medusa watched her sisters fly further and further until they were as far as the stars. She ran her fingers on the scars engraved on her back rougher than her silk look scales, Her wings used to be there.

Perseus paced back and forth as he watched the ship approach their final destination docking. Anxiously waiting for his mother who seemed to be discussing with the captain or probably thanking him. Finally she approached him. “Mama,” he cleared his throat, swallowing his tongue in the process. “Here,” He simply said giving his mother the bag. She studied the contents in the bag, everything seemed normal until she saw Hermes shoes. “Where did you find these?” Her eyes confused but scared. “I got it from the gods,” he whispred “Athena and Hermes,” he continued avoiding her eyes. Silence loomed between them. “Then I’ll go to Argos by myself. If the gods want you to do this who am I to stand in your way?” He had been hoping and praying she’d change her mind but didnt think it would be uncomfortable and make him feel guilty. “Perseus,” She said with a loving tone once more “Dont use this ship when you find out where Medusa is. To avoid hurting…innocent people,” He nodded slowly to avoid seeming he was excited. “And…” she ran her hand on the scar that peek out on his collar bone that seemed to travel deeper into his clothing “Promise me you will return to me, and if the the task seems impossible. Return to me…don't risk your life. Promise you will return”

♤♡♧


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!!!



♤♡♧