The Story of Perseus - Part 3
Narration from Hades’ Perspective:
After seeing Athena off with the Helm of Darkness, I returned to the throne room of my fortress. Soon, Perseus would slay Medusa and rise as a hero, as fate had decreed.
"Thanatos, send an apparition ahead to where Medusa resides."
"Hmm. Is it time already? Very well..."
The old god with black wings nodded and moved. It wouldn’t be long before Medusa’s soul, having met her destined death, would arrive in the Underworld.
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As I sat on the throne, contemplating Medusa, the goddess Styx approached me.
"Hades, let’s watch how Perseus does."
"I’m busy with other matters..."
"Don’t be like that. Many gods are paying attention to him."
Perseus is the son of Zeus, marked by fate to become a hero. Because of this, many gods lent him their sacred weapons without hesitation.
Not only the gods of Olympus, but even those residing in the Underworld are watching his journey with interest...
"Very well. I’ll turn my gaze to the mortal realm for a moment."
Scene Shift to Perseus:
Perseus took a deep breath as he stood before the cave where Medusa was said to reside. His fate was about to be decided.
He closed his eyes and recalled his journey so far, leading him to this point before Medusa.
"Perseus, I am Athena, the goddess of wisdom. This is Hermes, the messenger god."
"The gods of Olympus have...!"
"The gods have willingly lent you their sacred weapons. First, my shield, then Hermes’ winged sandals, Ares’ sword, and Lord Hades’ helmet..."
"My goodness... Thank you!"
The goddess Athena and the god Hermes lent him the gods’ sacred weapons. Among them was Pluto’s sacred item, the invisible helmet, which he had glimpsed briefly.
"The Graeae sisters, who share one eye between them, know Medusa’s location. Though they appear as old women, they are three in number, and you must use their shared eye to your advantage."
"Three of them share one eye and one tooth?"
"Heh. Good luck on your journey, watched by many gods."
"It seems even my uncle Hades has blessed you. Stay strong!"
With that, Perseus donned the winged sandals and flew to the Graeae sisters.
As Athena had said, the sisters, who appeared as old women, were sharing one eye and one tooth between them. Perseus, using the Helm of Darkness, stealthily approached and seized their eye.
"I have your eye. Tell me Medusa’s location, or I’ll throw it far away!"
"Oh no?! We didn’t sense anyone!"
"What?! Give it back immediately!"
"You wretch! Ugh... Medusa and her sisters live west of here..."
"Alright. But if all three sisters have serpentine hair, how will I recognize Medusa?"
"Medusa’s hair is made of venomous snakes, unlike her sisters, whose snakes have triangular heads!"
The location of the Gorgon sisters, as learned from the Graeae, was on an island at the westernmost point. Though it appeared to be a small and ordinary island, the moment he stood before the suspicious cave within, a chilling aura surrounded him.
Even from outside the cave, the oppressive atmosphere was palpable. It was clear that the Gorgon sisters resided here. The closer he got to Medusa, the stronger this pressure would become.
Perseus, wearing the Helm of Darkness and holding Athena’s shield, turned his back to the entrance of the cave. He slowly backed inside, watching the landscape behind him through the shield’s reflective surface.
‘If I see Medusa’s hair, I’ll turn to stone instantly... I must not turn around!’
The Helm of Darkness, lent by Pluto, erased all traces of his presence, including sound and scent. Thus, the immortal Stheno and Euryale, as well as the demi-goddess Medusa, were unaware of the human entering their lair.
The sacred items of Hades, Athena, and the winged sandals were performing their roles. The sword of Ares in his hand would surely sever Medusa’s head in a single strike.
However, the problem was...
‘The pressure... just from their sleeping presence...!’
The problem lay within Perseus himself.
Despite the gods Athena, Hermes, and Hades favoring him, the sleeping Gorgon sisters exuded an overwhelming aura.
This oppressive force bore down on the mortal challenging such a feat. As he drew closer to the sleeping sisters, the pressure intensified.
While he could bear it at the cave’s entrance, as he began navigating the rocks and stalactites to approach the sleeping sisters, an unimaginable sense of dread enveloped him.
One step. Sweat dripped from Perseus’ brow.
Thud. Thud.
On the fifth step, sweat from his hand holding Athena’s shield fell to the ground. Perseus clenched Ares’ sword, but his body trembled with overwhelming fear.
On the twentieth backward step, the snakes in the sisters’ hair flicked their tongues. For a moment, it seemed his eyes met with those of the snakes, but it must have been an illusion.
The sacred item of Pluto wouldn’t be detected. Hopefully...
Drip. Drop.
Sweat, covering his body, fell to the ground. The Helm of Darkness couldn’t hide the sweat falling from his body.
One step away from Medusa.
As Perseus reached Medusa, he struggled to shake off the numbness in his legs. His body, trained through years of swordsmanship, instinctively warned him.
To flee with all his might from the mighty creature before him!
The droplets of sweat on the ground marked his position. If any of the three sisters woke, his location might be revealed.
Hiss. Hiss.
Perseus slowly raised his sword to strike Medusa’s neck, but his arm froze in place. The cries of the snakes, serving as the monster’s hair, echoed louder than ever.
Even now... would it be better to flee before it’s too late? Could I really decapitate her with this sword of Ares?
"Have faith in yourself and proceed. My blessing as Hades is with you."
Yes... I, Perseus, am destined to become a hero!
It’s not yet time to meet Pluto!
Perseus bit his lip hard enough to draw blood, forcing his arm to move. Something hot surged from his chest as he resisted the overwhelming pressure.
Slash—Splat—
"Ah...?! Medusa!"
"What is this?! Who dares?!"
Perhaps that feeling was what people call courage.
Back in the Underworld:
At that moment, the gods in the Underworld watching Perseus were filled with admiration.
"It’s over."
"The pressure must have been immense, yet he overcame it."
"Heh. Quite impressive."
Perseus, gritting his teeth, had swung his sword, decapitating Medusa. The sword of Ares, a masterpiece crafted by Hephaestus, easily sliced through the skin of the demi-goddess.
"Thanatos. Please bring Medusa’s soul now."
Now, it was time to deal with the aftermath. Though Perseus’ destiny was far from complete, this was the end of the hero’s tale for now.
It was time to meet the victim of Poseidon and Athena.
After waiting briefly in the courtroom with the three judges of the Underworld, Minos and his brothers, Thanatos soon arrived, escorting a woman.
The terrifying appearance of the monster cursed by Athena had vanished upon her death, revealing her original form. The beauty that had once captivated Poseidon now illuminated the Underworld.
However, the woman herself seemed to find this radiant appearance a curse, keeping her head lowered.
Thud.
"Were you Medusa, a priestess of Athena in life?"
As I finished speaking, Medusa, who had collapsed onto the floor, suddenly raised her head. Her eyes blazed with endless hatred.
"I am no longer that person. Don’t call me that."
"...Forgive my rudeness, daughter of Phorcys and Ceto."
I had given much thought to the matter of Medusa. While the death of a monster is a predetermined event in the birth of a hero, the circumstances that led to the monster’s creation...
"You were wronged by Poseidon in life and caught in Athena’s wrath."
"Grind..."
At the mention of the two gods’ names, her anger flared, her teeth grinding as a faint, simmering voice escaped her.
"Is the lord of the Underworld mocking me?"
"No, I am here to apologize to you."
Confusion flickered in Medusa’s eyes, despite her visible effort to suppress her fury.
"If one’s life has been manipulated by the gods, turned into a monster, and then used as a sacrifice for the birth of a hero, such a person deserves proper treatment."
"......"
"I granted weapons to the hero who killed you, and though I have no right to apologize on behalf of Poseidon or Athena, as the ruler of the Underworld, where all mortals end, I express my regret."
I conveyed my apology with a calm tone, looking directly into Medusa’s eyes. Though I was genuinely sorry, I couldn’t bow my head. After all, I am the king of the Underworld.
"...It seems the rumors of the lord of the Underworld being a merciful god are true."
After some time, Medusa’s eyes softened slightly. If my apology brought her some comfort, then my position as one of the three rulers was indeed fortunate.
"Now, let me speak of the recompense you shall receive. Choose one from the following."
"Recompense...?"
"First, I could speak to Zeus and have you immortalized as a constellation."
Being turned into a constellation in the heavens is a great honor, symbolizing eternal remembrance. Heroes, animals, and gods are often immortalized by Zeus’ personal decree.
If she chooses the first option, much of her honor, tarnished by her death as a monster at the hands of Perseus, would be restored.
Medusa, who had briefly shown a softened expression at my apology, looked stunned.
"...A monster like me, turned into a star in the heavens?"
"Zeus may object, wanting to elevate the feat of his son who slew you, but in the end, he will have no choice but to accept."
If Poseidon feels any remorse, he may support the request, if only passively...
Zeus wouldn’t easily dismiss my petition either.
And as for Athena, who turned Medusa into a monster? If she has any sense, she’ll accept it. If she opposes... she might need a little admonishment.
I continued speaking, keeping my eyes on the bewildered Medusa.
"Yes, and the second option is..."