The Temple of Athena was my home, a place where I felt a deep connection to my roots. The marble columns and statues of the goddess, with her stern but benevolent gaze, watched over me most days. My duties were simple yet profound; tending to the sacred flame, offering prayers, and maintaining the purity of the temple. I found peace and quiet in my routines; I believed that my devotion would protect me from the world’s cruel, harsh demeanor.
But, alas, beauty is a dangerous gift. It attracts not only admiration but also envy and desire. My life changed the day Poseidon, the god of the sea, set his eyes upon me. He was a force of nature, his presence commanding and his desires relentless. He saw me as a prize to be claimed, and in his arrogance, he believed that no mortal or god could refuse him. That night still flashed in my head even after I got cursed, and it often makes me reflect on whether or not I deserved such an evil bearing.
The air was thick with the scent of salt and the sound of crashing waves, a warning of his approach. I was alone, tending to the sacred flame, when I felt a sudden chill. I turned, and there he was, his eyes dark and intense, filled with an emotion I couldn’t quite name.
“Medusa,” he said, his voice like the rumble of distant thunder, “You are as beautiful as the legends say.”
I bowed my head, feeling a mixture of fear and awe, “Lord Poseidon. This temple is sacred to Athena. We honor your presence. Welcome.”
His lips curled into a sinister grin, “I am here for you, actually. Your beauty has captivated me, and I desire you.”
Panic surged through me, “This is a place of worship, my lord. I am a priestess of Athena, sworn to her service.”
His smile faded, “You cannot deny a god. Your vows mean nothing to me.”
Before I could react, he closed the distance between us, his hands gripping my shoulders with a strength that left no room for struggle. The sacred flame flickered wildly, casting shadows that seemed to dance maliciously. My pleas for mercy went unheard as he claimed me, his power overwhelming and inescapable.
When It was over, I laid on the cold marble floor, my body bruised. The temple, once a place of refuge, felt like a prison. I called out to Athena, praying for her intervention, for justice against the gods who violated her sanctuary and her servant.
Athena appeared before me, her aura radiant with divine light. I thought she had come to save me, to punish Poseidon for his wrongdoing. But her eyes, usually filled with wisdom, were now cold and unyielding.
"Medusa," she said, her voice devoid of compassion, "You have defiled my temple with your actions. For this, you must be punished."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"My goddess, it was not my choice! Poseidon—"
She raised a hand, silencing me, "Enough. Your beauty, which you so cherished, has brought ruin upon this sacred place. From this day forward, it shall be a curse. Anyone who looks upon you will turn to stone."
Tears streamed down my face as her words sank in, "Please, Athena, have mercy. I am your servant. I did nothing wrong."
But there was no mercy in her gaze, "You are no longer my priestess. Leave this temple and never return."
With a wave of her hand, she transformed me. My hair twisted into curling serpents, their hisses filling the air. My eyes, once admired for their beauty, now held a deadly power. I was thrown out, condemned to live in isolation on the island of Sarpedon.
“So… that’s what happened?” Thalia was lounging close to me in my lair, her back pushed against a stone boulder that partially blocked the entrance.
“Yes,” I hummed, staring at the fire in the middle of us. In the flames, I could’ve sworn I saw my past self, dancing and celebrating my goddess with joy and abundance. But as the flames flickered, all I saw was pain, and the crackling of the driftwood as it burned signified the end to those happy times.
Thalia’s face was full of thought as her eyes reflected the flickering light of the fire. She was quiet for a moment, absorbing everything, “Athena’s reaction seems unjust,” she finally said, “you were a victim. Yet, you were punished for something beyond your control.”
I nodded, the familiar ache of betrayal tightening in my chest, “Yes. The gods are not always just, Thalia. Their actions are often driven by pride, jealousy, and a desire to maintain their own power. They rarely consider the suffering they inflict among mortals.”
Thalia shifted closer. Her presence was oddly comforting in the loneliness that had defined my life for so long. It felt good to talk to someone. To meet someone who’d listen, for a change. Thalia tapped her knee in angst, “What happened after you were exiled? How did you come to accept your fate here on Sarpedon?”
I smiled weakly, and took a deep breath, “At first, I fought against it. I was filled with rage and sadness, cursing the gods and my fate. I wandered the island, screaming at the sea, hoping Poseidon would hear me and at least feel a little bit of regret for what he’d done to me. But he never did. Nobody came.”
The fire crackled between us, and I felt a tear run down my cheek. I quickly wiped it away as I continued, “Eventually, I realized that my anger would just ruin me. It wouldn’t change anything. I had to learn to live with my curse, to find some comfort in my solitude. The island became my prison, but also my sanctuary. The statues… they’re my only company.”
Thalia’s hand found mine again, her touch bringing me back to the present, “You are stronger than you realize, Medusa. To survive such torment and still hold onto your humanity is something not even Athena herself could do.”
I looked into her eyes, even though I knew she couldn’t see me, “Perhaps. But strength born of suffering is a bitter gift. I have lived for centuries, Thalia, watching as the world changes while I remain the same, trapped in my own personal hell.”
She squeezed my hand, “Your story is not over, Medusa. You have endured much, but there is still a chance for redemption. Let me help you. Together, we can find a way to break this curse.”
“Do you truly believe that, Thalia? That there is a way to undo what the gods have done?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
She nodded, determined, “I do. The gods may be powerful, but they are not indestructible. There must be a way to fix this, to restore what was taken from you. And I will stand by you.”
For the first time in centuries, I felt a flicker of hope. Thalia’s presence, her unwavering belief in my redemption, was like a lifeline pulling me from the depths, “Thank you, Thalia. Perhaps, together, we can rewrite my story, and yours.”
"Perhaps," Thalia's voice drifted off.
As the night went on and the fire dwindled, we continued to talk, our voices mingling with the sound of the waves crashing against the cliffs. In Thalia, I found not just a companion, but a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there’s always a chance for redemption. I was going to reclaim the truth of who I once was.
Points: 10082
Reviews: 94
Donate