The Truth Behind The Myths

A Demand From a Snake

Third Person POV

The throne room was silent for once. Even with a full council. Everyone stared at Zeus, whose brows were furrowed deeply as he stared at the creature standing in front of him.

Medusa, for her part, was standing straight, head held high. Her eyes and hair were concealed by a thick scarf, and despite the glare she was receiving from the King of the gods, she looked calm and collected. One could have looked at her straight, still posture and have mistaken her for some intricately carved stone statue.

"You say you bring this message in gold faith." Zeus said finally.

Medusa inclined her head the slightest bit upward.

"But you threaten war."

"It was not a threat, Lord Zeus." There was more than a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "It is a promise. One that my employer can easily make and enforce."

The room fell silent again.

"Tell your employer that we refuse to put any child, immortal or otherwise, in danger." Zeus finally said.

Medusa laughed cruelly. "That's new."

"Athena, escort her from the throne room."

Athena stood and motioned for Medusa to walk in front of her.

The monster turned, still laughing, and made her way out of the throne room, Athena following.

Once they had left, Medusa turned to Athena, expression now serious. "You must convince him to somehow do what I ask. If not, the war that will follow is going to tear this world apart."

Athena sighed. "He's not going to give up one of his own-"

"Then convince him to give up one of the others. He's the king of the gods, his will outweighs the others. Poseidon has to have a child of some sort, or Hades. Athena, this war must be avoided."

"I will try." Athena promised quietly. "But now you must go."

Medusa nodded and pulled out a little black pearl from the folds of the robe she was wearing. She dropped the stone and stepped on it, then disappeared in a burst of shadow.

The goddess of wisdom stood straight, taking a deep breath. "Mother, give me counsel."

To anyone else, there was no sound but that of a fly zipping past Athena's ear. She was quiet for a moment, then sighed and nodded. "Thank you, Mother."

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Medusa appeared in the dark cavern, steadying herself quickly. The trips the black pearl took one on were not pleasant, or easy to deal with. It was only her experience with them that kept her upright. She took a moment to figure out where she was, then turned and calmly started down one of the tunnels.

Several winding turns and small underground rooms later, she came to a huge cave with a high ceiling, one that sparkled with gold and jewels.

"I've delivered the message, Lord." She spoke into the darkness.

A massive pair of glowing gold eyes appeared, and a hissing voice echoed through the room. "Good. And the ressssponsssse?"

"They were.... unenthusiastic. But I believe they will do what you demand."

"Marveloussss. You have done well, my pet."

Medusa wrinkled her nose, a gesture unseen by her employer because of her thick veil.

"You are dissssmissssed. Leave me."

The gorgon turned on her heel quickly and started for the door.

"Medussssa." The voice said suddenly. "Aren't you forgetting ssssomething?"

She paused, stiffening, and turned again, dropping into a low curtsey. "I thank you, Lord, for granting me a new hour of grace. I am forever in your debt."

"And don't forget it. I ssssaved you, you belong only to me. You sssserve me. Me alone. Now go, leave me with my favorite."

Quickly Medusa fled the room, walking as fast as she could without making it obvious that she wanted to get away from what resided inside.

"Impertinent pig." She growled under her breath once she was alone. "With your disgusting power trips. I hope the demigods flay you alive."

To say Medusa was on the side of the gods was a stretch. She hated them, they were boastful and cruel. But compared to this creature.... they were certainly the lesser evil. She would not aid them directly, but little things... such as her private meeting with Athena, those were things she could do.

Back in the cave, the voice was speaking again. "Not long, precioussss. Not long at all. I will have my playthingssss, and when I am done with them, you may feasssst."

The sound of something massive shifting echoed through the cavern. A low rumble shook gold pieces and jewels from the ceiling.

"Yessss, my pretty. The day approachessss. We sssshall be triumphant, once and for all!"

The voice made a hissing cackle that echoed off the walls until it sounded as if a barrel of snakes had been released inside the underground room. The rumbling joined again, adding to the din and shaking the ground.

"And when the godssss fall, we sssshall have our victory!"