Chronos’ power of unyielding advancing time surpassed the might of even the Olympians who were not able to prevent this endless march. It was no small feat to rebel against the very laws that kept this world in the state it was. Divinity could not slow time, but its effects. Even a being like the Gorgon was subject to time and its wear and tear. All mortals shared the same ultimate fate.

Knowing this, Medusa should not have tried to resist the truth, but she was an obstinate one.

“It’s time.” Eugenia said determinedly.

“…” Medusa did not budge from the door.

“Please let me inside.” She said while knocking against the entrance to the Gorgon’s lair.

Medusa held the door closed and pushed her back against it. What was this unbelievable sense of dread? She shouldn’t have been scared of a human entering her safe space, but she was utterly wound up.

“You promised!”

“Cease your yapping already.” Medusa retorted and tried to push the door open. It wouldn’t budge. That was odd, had she accidentally bend it out of its hinges? “Ah.” Her eyes turned dull when she realized that her tail was coiled around the fringes, keeping it closed. She had been pulling against her own strength.

“What are you afraid of?”

“HO?” Medusa snapped and raised herself up angrily, but that only led to her hitting the ceiling and making her snakes hiss in indignation.

“Is it because I’m human? Because it would hurt your pride?” The blind girl’s voice was numbed through the door, but the words were still sharp. “I thought you would always keep your word.” The disappointment was scathing.

With a loud thunk the door was banged open and Medusa stood in the doorframe, arms crossed. Her face was a mask of cool and no signs of her inner turmoil were to be seen.

“You really opened it.”

“Why are you acting so surprised?” She glared.

“Will you let me inside too?”

“If it will put an end to your yelling I will allow it. But you may only make yourself familiar. I won’t allow you to spend the night yet.”

“That sounds like an improvement to me~” Eugenia brushed past her without a care.

Medusa followed her with a deep sigh.

The stairs led deep down into the bowels of the old temple. Murals of ages past were fading alongside every wall. This lair was in fact an old cave that had existed even before the temple was built atop it.

“It’s really damp down here.” Eugenia noted as she slowly walked down the steps while supporting herself on the tight walls. “And hot.”

“Deep under the earth the world is warmer.” She confirmed.

“Must be because it is closer to the Underworld and Tartarus.”

“Does it make you wish to turn tail?”

“Not at all.”

“Tsk.”

They soon reached the end of the long stairway and found themselves in a large room. It was bigger than any cellar in a conventional temple and the echoes inside created an odd resonance. Although Eugenia could not see it, there was a light glow in the air, reflected from the cracks to other caves. Beyond them grew fluorescent fungi. The lair itself was still almost completely dark though.

“Hard to breathe.” Eugenia clutched her throat and inhaled deeply.

“There is not much air flow down here. I did not think of that.” As someone who didn’t require to breathe this was not an inconvenience.

“There is a stream coming from over here.” Eugenia leaned against a wall and pointed at the cracks. Then she coughed.

“Hm.” Medusa slithered over and then tore a hole into the wall. It gave in as easily as tree bark. A lot more fluorescent light fell into the lair now and the cave ahead was reflecting the light from a shallow water reservoir. So there was another one.

“Haaah… haaa… much better.” Eugenia breathed in lightly and seemed to relax.

“I was not aware that it connected to the surface.” Medusa glanced at the small crack that went all the way to the surface in a diagonal angle. That was probably also where the water came from. With the flow between the entrance and this opening air seemed to return to the lair.

“This is not quite what I expected.” The girl wandered in circles and inspected the room with her hands.

“Did you expect comfortable human lodgings?” The Gorgon mocked.

“It’s so cluttered.” She complained.

“Pardon?”

“Do you not have any sense for order?” Eugenia pointed her hands at the mess. “I was shocked when you spoke of sleeping on a pile of coins and having coal inside your lair, but now it makes sense.”

“Why you…”

“These amphorae are empty.” She turned a clay container over.

“Old wine from before you left. I drank it all.”

“Then you should get rid of them or refill them. Why in the great and patient Hestia’s name did you think it was wise to let vermin nest here?”

“They died a long time ago.”

“But you did not rid yourself of their nests? Also… is that a painting? On the ground?!”

“…” Medusa averted her eyes guiltily.

“Whoever made this would cry seeing how you treat it.“ She picked it up and leaned it upright against the wall.

Medusa stared at the horribly awry looking work of art and sighed. She hadn’t looked at this atrocity in a long, long time. It brought back painful memories.

“There should at least be some bedding. If you sleep like this it’s no wonder your chiton got torn so much.” The girl was not done scolding her yet. “I didn’t think that you would be such a slob Medusa-”

“Careful.” In a moment the human was grabbed by the arms and pushed against a wall. “This is my lair you intruded upon. You think yourself immune to my wrath, yet nothing is further from the truth. Do not grow too bold for your own good.” Her monstrous glare could penetrate even a blind woman’s senses.

“You allowed me inside.” Eugenia responded without any fear. “If my words can incite your rage then you must understand that they hold truth.”

The small woman was pushed against a wall in the dark, but she might as well have been standing freely and proudly before her in Helios' light. Eugenia was typically reasonable and tried to conform the Medusa’s wishes, but this time she did not budge. Her face told the Gorgon that she would not be threatened by her.

“So be it.” She let her go with a disgruntled expression. “Your standards do not apply to me however, remember that.”

Eugenia rubbed her wrists where she had been forcefully grabbed and seemed to contemplate something.

“I have decided. This place needs a complete makeover.”

“I feared you would say that.” The Gorgon put a hand over her face.

“This is your home, so you should help me.” She smiled expectantly.

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It took almost the entire day, but they had eventually cleared out all the cluttered garbage and useless collections. The amphorae were washed out and then filled with fresh water. The vermin nests were burned outside and Eugenia did her best to clean the dried remains afterwards. The painting was hung up on the wall with a nail from the material chest Zosimos had given her.

After everything was cleared they placed a bunch of woolen blankets and animal skins across the ground to make the place more comfortable. They did not hang up any torches as neither of them needed light. The only things that were kept from before were the chest filled with good wine and some of the more unique trinkets Medusa had kept.

“This is much better.” The former priestess knelt down in a very prayer like pose. “I am glad I managed to scrub off the blood.” It had created a disconcerting smell, the dried blood on the ground and walls. “Did it not bother you at all?”

“It was my own.” Medusa shrugged.

“…how did that happen?” She asked disturbed.

“None of your concern.”

Flat denial.

“It must have kept the animals away at least.” She guessed.

“Most dare not close in on me by principle. Only humans are misguided enough to try.” She smirked.

“So soft.” Eugenia ignored her completely and laid down on the coats.

“Hey.” The Gorgon’s eye twitched at this display of relaxation. “I said you cannot spend the night here.”

“I will be out before the sun sets.” The girl muttered and then leaned sideways on her arm, promptly drifting to sleep.

‘She is definitely going to stay.’ Medusa thought to herself in exasperation. This willfulness was pushing her patience.

Her tail curled up and she sat down gracefully, leaning her face on one hand. Her lair was barely recognizable anymore. It was like a storm had come through and rearranged it. Was it uncomfortable? Not entirely so. Whether she slept on a warm stone floor or animal skins mattered little. The ambience however was all wrong.

What had once been a comfortable cluttered mess of memories and natural chaos had now been usurped by order. This was not the home of a monster anymore, but felt rather… human.

She glared at the painting on the wall and wondered what they were doing right now. And what would they say if they knew how this place looked now? She had always fought with Stheno over how to decorate the lair. As the oldest sister, Medusa had always managed to get her will. Stheno would surely laugh to see how easily Medusa had been pushed over now.

“Aggravating.” She clicked her tongue and decided to push the human out of her lair anyway. There were limits to how much she could get away with.

When she rolled Eugenia over her eyes fell on something in the girl’s hands. It was a paper thin slice of wood that had been tempered with. It was clearly worn from being opened and refolded countless times. The patterns cut into it were all too recognizable.

Medusa felt her heart skip a beat in surprise.

She hesitantly bend over and grabbed it out of the girl’s hand. Unfolding the thing revealed the beautiful wing like pattern cut into it. She had almost forgotten about it. This thing had been in her lair this entire time. Eugenia must have picked it up during the clean-up, but didn’t mention it.

Medusa felt ashamed. This feeling went deep. The girl had found out about her weakness, how she had kept that memento despite her big show of destroying the others. Yet Eugenia had not spoken a word of mockery or indignation.

That feeling of dread returned. Something foreign was clinging to her and she did not want to confront it. She really did feel threatened. Something about Eugenia was making her uneasy. How could that be? What did she have to do to understand this fear?

With a fuzzy head she ascended the steps and left the girl behind to sleep on her own. Medusa took in the evening air and calmed herself. If it was this painful to be around the girl she might have been in trouble.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

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“I said I am sorry for falling asleep.” Eugenia bowed her head and apologized for the umpteenth time since the sun had risen.

“And in return I declared that I was not angered.” The Gorgon crossed her arms and started to feel said anger grow.

“That can’t be true. Why did you leave then?”

“Because I needed fresh air.” She twisted her nose up to make clear that the topic was finished.

“But-“

“Not another word of this or I will throw your food into Poseidon’s kingdom.”

Eugenia immediately shut up with great fervor. Her lips might as well have been sewed shut.

“Wonderful. Some well-earned silence.” She said with an evil smirk and ran her finger across the girl’s neck. She shivered in response, but did not make any noise. “If only you were always so obedient.” She stopped circling Eugenia and let her go. “Now go about your merry way, so I can think.”

“…” The girl stepped back and turned her ear towards the Gorgon.

“…you can talk.” She said with a sardonic expression.

“Jerk.” Was all she said before walking off.

Now that was more like it. The more spite she received the more Medusa felt at ease. What an odd thing to desire. Then again, she had kept up her dismay for the gods for centuries. Was it not the most relatable feeling she could know?

Now that the human had been kicked out of her lair she could return with her heart at ease, but there was a lingering scent. Her nose was just far too good. Not good enough to tell what exactly this smell was though. After taking it in for a while she came to the conclusion that it must have been from Eugenia. If she mentioned it next time, what kind of adorable excuse would she make? She would most certainly blush and say that she bathed beforehand.

“Indeed?” She saw her distorted reflection in the water from the cave that had been connected to the lair. The fondness on her face was… nauseating.

To disperse that feeling she decided to leave the lair again. Getting away from that scent and those thoughts would be best.

Outside she was overlooking the ruined temple to look for any abnormalities. It was still destroyed beyond salvation, but she knew that the garden had been surrounded by a fence and the camp in the center had received a makeover with rebuilt stone walls. Right beside it was the pile of chests and boxes that belonged to Eugenia.

Her nose picked up something new. This time it was not tinged in human scent, but something much sweeter. She slithered towards the chests and noticed that one had its lid slightly ajar. With curiosity she pulled it open and saw earthen jars. They appeared not unusual, but the smell coming from them was intoxicating.

“Do you want some honey?” Eugenia asked while poking her head out of the tent. She was licking her lips, revealing that she had been eating something herself.

“Honey?” She raised a brow.

“Have you never had it before?” She seemed genuinely shocked.

“Of course I tasted honey.” She squinted. “Are you telling me that you humans break it apart into such tiny containers?”

“If you put it all into one large urn it will clot together.” The blind girl stepped to her side and opened one of them.

“What manner of trick is this?” Medusa inspected the honey dubiously. “Where are the honeycombs?”

“Combs? We extract the honey from those. It’s much tastier that way.” She explained and then raised a brow. “Did you… eat them whole?”

Medusa stared at the thick golden liquid with wonder. She also felt dismay for the insinuation that she had been acting barbaric. Without replying she dipped her finger into the honey and put it to her mouth.

“Sweet.” She said and turned her frown upside down.

“I love honey. Some people coat their meat in it, but I believe it tastes best on apples and peaches.”

“Peaches?”

“Ah, it is a fruit from Persia. It is very expensive and rare.” She held up her finger delightedly.

“Such decadence.” She smirked.

“Honey dipped fruits and musical accompaniment are very high class. I only experienced it once at a symposium. Lady Akacia told us not to speak and just listen.” She reminisced nostalgically.

“I suppose good wine is a must as well?”

“N-not that I would have tried any.” She retorted flustered.

“Oh? So this ‘symposium’ is where you developed your rejection of the grape blood.” She could read the girl like a book. “In what manner did you embarrass yourself?”

“Who said anything- I didn't- well, you can't know…” She fidgeted about, but Medusa’s even gaze did not let up. “It is not something I want to recall.” She admitted.

“For occupying my lair you may repay me now by telling that story.”

“Don’t you want more honey instead?” She asked hopefully.

“I will partake in both.” She grabbed the jar and settled down.

“You are a monster.” She said with resignation and began her tale.

An hour later Medusa had finished her second jar of honey and was chuckling like a tipsy drunk. Eugenia had finished her story and was pouting in the corner, but the Gorgon was not holding back.

“Did that man ever find you to reclaim his necklace?”

“I don't think so.” She replied curtly.

“And that fellow priestess of yours, did she ever forgive you?” She could barely contain her laughter when she saw Eugenia’s expression. “You truly are a menace when Dionysus touches your lips!”

“I know my faults, so I won’t drink anymore.” She pushed her face against her knees.

“Twas a memorable night, so you shan’t be too upset. Better so than to be bored among sermonizing old dotards.”

“I think you don’t understand how special symposiums are. Typically they are meant for men, but sometimes women are allowed to join. I made a fool of myself and Lady Akacia spewed fire.” Due to her damaged memory she was not quite sure whether that part was imagined or real. She would not put it past the grand priestess though.

“Is it not just feasting and merrymaking? I hear humans are slaves to such festivities.” The Gorgon licked her fingers and set aside the empty jar.

“It is so much more! Beautiful music is played the entire time and poets will recite their best works for everyone to hear. Lord Apollo himself is said to visit such occasions sometimes.”

“He did always have a weakness for sultry voices.” Medusa smiled contently and closed her eyes. “What manner of music is popular with humans in this era I wonder?”

“…if you want...”

“Raise your voice. Not all share your gifted ears.” Medusa shook her head softly at her shy approach.

“D-do you want me to play you a melody?” Eugenia pressed out.

“Ah. I do recall that you made a bold claim some time ago.” She smirked. “I have no harp in my possession, so unless you wish to sing for me…”

“That won’t be a problem! I have a lyre.” She was all energized now. This élan belied her embarrassment from before and she was swiftly digging through her luggage.

“Is there anything this merchant did not gift you? I must wonder how your boat even made it across the ocean.”

“This isn’t from Zosimos. I received it as a gift from someone else- Ah, there it is.” She held on to the lyre and walked out of the tent.

“Hm?” Medusa stared at the finely crafted gold coated lyre. It was a masterpiece, anyone could have told just at a single glance. Whoever gave presents like this was either unfathomably rich or a skilled craftsman.

“I haven’t played in a while, but it should still be tuned. I didn’t ever have to tune it actually.” She fumbled around with the strings and licked her lips nervously.

Medusa felt something unusual from that instrument, she was certain of it. It was a presence barely at the edge of her recognition, but it was there nonetheless. Leering, hiding, waiting patiently. It triggered the same instincts in her that alarmed her of intruders to the island.

“What should I play? Zeus’ Confrontation? The ploy for Troy?” She muttered and then pushed her hands across the strings. It released a note so sweet that it barely resembled the tone of a lyre.

“Eugenia, who gave that to you?” Medusa asked with sharp eyes.

“Eh?” The girl was caught off guard. It was rare for Medusa to address her by name.

“Nevermind. Show me that unrivaled skill of yours.” She said calmly, but made a hand sign that told the girl she should be attentive.

“I never said it was unrivaled.” She whispered and then sat down on a piece of debris next to the tree that had grown into the ruins. “Here goes. This piece was dedicated to Atalanta, the great huntress of Artemis.”

Her filigree fingers strummed the lyre once and then began to softly pull them in rhythm. At first the melody seemed simple and natural, perhaps comparable to the chirping of birds. Eventually it started to seep into the essence of the soil and the trees. Each note seemed to sink into the listener’s mind and become an image of nature.

“Atalanta swift and strong,

Raced suitors from kingdoms far,

Warriors covered in many a scar,

And always won.”

Eugenia raised her voice to recite a poem that was sibling to the melody. Words spoken purely to enhance the tune, not to drown it out. She had claimed that she could not sing, but her voice played well with the melody.

As the lyre softened the air and the atmosphere turned thick as the honey they had licked off their dry lips, the world seemed to become blurry. Medusa’s eyes were indeed tied to those lovely lips that spoke beautiful words to the tune. Every note was increasing the allure and she soon found herself rising up.

Eugenia heard her movements, but did not stop playing. Instead she also rose and walked from side to side.

Medusa’s tail turned into human legs and she began to circle the girl in dreamlike motions.

“Whoever could best

The daughter of Artemis?

There came a man by Aphrodite blessed,

Witty Hippomenes.”

The verses left her lips in trance and they closed in on each other in their subconscious dance. The music played in its own world and sucked them in to leave theirs behind. The sun rippled through the leaves off the tree, which seemed to dance along with them.

Eugenia’s fingers moved so swiftly that they seemed to be leaving her behind, but at the same time the tune carried a heavy melancholy note. Slow, yet fast. It resonated deeply with the Gorgon and former priestess alike. Music forged a bond between their hearts and they lost their senses soon.

“Hippomenes threw,

Golden apples three,

And as Aphrodite knew,

Atalanta tasted defeat.”

The words left Eugenia’s luscious lips and created ripples in the softened air. There seemed to be a spark as Medusa touched her from behind and laid her arms around her. They danced together in a rhythmic swing.

The islands animals had gathered around them and watched intently. Hares and crickets hopped in tune and birds chirped in the tree’s crown. It was a surreal moment.

“Do not stop playing.” Medusa urged the girl sweetly. Her mouth was directly at her ear.

Goosebumps ran down the girl’s neck and arms and she continued to play passionately in a dazed state. No matter how dry her throat became from passion, she still finished the verse.

“Their marriage divine,

Led to happiness in time,

Yet thanks to their defiance,

Both of them became lions.”

The tale had been told and thus the melody would find its end alongside it, yet her hands would not stop. More, she wanted to enjoy this moment more! To revel in this beautiful state forever would have been too short. Medusa’s chest pressed against her back and her arms wrapped around her so tightly, this was bliss. Her inhibitions seemed to fade and she only lived for the moment.

Everyone watched their intimate dance, the animals, the plants and one more.

“I knew it.”

In a moment the music was cut off as Medusa had tightly grabbed Eugenia’s wrist. The lyre’s sweet seduction ended and left the flames of passion doused entirely. The musician’s drunken mind sobered up and the audience of animals dispersed.

Eugenia gave in to the confusion in her heart and allowed Medusa to take the lyre out of her hands. She stumbled backwards and was caught carefully.

“We have an interloper.” Medusa stared at the lyre and grabbed it tightly, creating a dissonant tone. “How did you get your hands on a Satyr’s lyre?”

“It was a present… from Kygnos.” She muttered.

“Preying on the ignorant again, are you Satyr?” Medusa forced the presence of the being to the forefront and the Satyr’s goat like eyes were shut tightly in response. He was well aware that one wrong move would get him petrified.

“Kygnos is here?” Eugenia was absolutely lost.

“That goat put his essence into your little instrument here, so he could spy on us.” Medusa explained and made the lyre screech, which seemed to hurt the Satyr too. “The mistake of an overly curious Satyr is to appear where he does not belong. Tying your essence to a tool is foolishness.”

“Kygnos… wished no harm.” A pained voice echoed across the temple. The lyre transmitted his voice through vibrations on the strings.

“Your enchantment had a great effect on this human’s mind. If you deny foul play, you may as well accept your destruction.” The Gorgon squeezed the lyre brutally.

“GYAAH! Please, forgive Kygnos! Kygnos will not use his spell on the marked woman again!”

“I will make certain of that.” She unwound the first string.

“Medusa, please stop!” Eugenia grabbed her arm and fruitlessly pulled on it.

“This creature has dared to invade my island and played you like the lyre you held. Punishment has to be delivered.”

“I understand that he did something wrong, b-but it was not so bad.”

“Listen.” Medusa pushed Eugenia away with one hand. “This Satyr has been with you since he gave you this. He saw everything wherever you went. I knew I felt a foreign presence before when you bathed.”

“!” Eugenia’s white eyes widened.

“And this little prank of his went too far. Trying to entice me, that is unforgivable.”

“Kygnos was only interested in your Eros! The true beauty of the Eros you two share has moved Kygnos.”

“What nonsense are you spewing from your lips? Do you consider these your last words?” She could not process his meaning right away, but Eugenia once again interfered.

“Kygnos, you should not spy on people.” She said with a hint of red on her cheeks. “And I d-don’t know what you were thinking, but to mess with my mind to make me think… do things I didn’t intend to, is unfair.”

“Kygnos has not inserted verses into your heart, marked woman of the silvery eyes. Kygnos melody plays in the voice of Eros and all who hear his call.”

“Enough prattling. I have no patience for your kind Satyr. If you do not wish to fall victim to my curse, you will best relent your control on this lyre.” It was her ultimatum.

“…Kygnos regrets his actions. To taste the sweetest wine and be denied as it drips unto ones tongue is a punishment crueler than death.”

They could hardly follow his self-important claims, but Eugenia seemed to feel pity.

“Do you promise not to spy on us anymore?”

“Eugenia…” Medusa squinted, clearly annoyed.

“Kygnos swears by master Dionysus.”

Even Medusa had to concede when she heard that. It was one thing to call a Satyr a liar, but they had principles too. Dionysus was their one true master and he was not kind to servants who took his name in vain. In other words, there was no oath more binding to a Satyr.

“Then we can let you go. Please also promise me only to return to the lyre if we call for you.”

Medusa felt as if she had just witnessed an exchange between drunkards and felt an impulse to simply crush the lyre. Yet when she saw the pleading expression of the girl in front of her she could only sigh and hand her the instrument.

“What manner of foolishness could move you to call for this creature’s presence?” She had to ask.

“Kygnos, can you play a melody on your own?”

“It will be done, marked woman.”

“That’s great. Just so we are clear, I am no longer marked. Lady Athena is no longer with me... no I am with Medusa now.” She said seriously. The lyre stayed quiet, intimidated by the former priestess' voice. “Now, could you play us another melody? I am thinking of Pan’s Reverie.”

Without a response, the lyre began to play itself! The strings moved and created the tune magically. Satisfied, Eugenia leaned it against the tree. Then she turned towards Medusa and stretched out her hand.

The Gorgon stared at it as if it was a declaration of war.

“I would like another dance. This time out of my own free will.”

“What if I decline?”

“Then you admit that a human bested you.” She teased with a mischievous expression.

“Not in this or the next millennium.” She took the hand tightly and grinned darkly in return.

So began their true dance, as equals. It did not resemble their previous entanglement in the slightest. Where Medusa had been careful and tender before, to lure the Satyr into a false sense of security, she now expressed herself as wildly as her nature. Eugenia in contrast revealed that she was far from a good dancer, but had the whimsical drive to match her partner nonetheless.

As they danced their worries and fatigue away, they seemed to find a risky balance. Eugenia always moved one step behind Medusa, but did not let her escape and Medusa spun away, never once escaping.

As sweat poured from the girl and fatigue should have caught her, she was nothing but smiles.

Here, finally, Medusa started to understand.

The reason she had felt so threatened lied in that loving expression.

It was not that she had forgotten herself and become weak, but rather, Eugenia had changed. What once had been simple admiration had become something deeper.

Medusa smiled sadly as their dance continued.

There was no reason to fear what was to come, but she could not stop the gap that was growing in her soul. Perhaps soon she would return to her old self and forget about this dance, but there was just as much of a chance that it could never be forgotten.

If the pain was unavoidable, then she would at least enjoy this fleeting melody.

The Gorgon and the blind woman continued a dance to tie a bond so tightly that it could suffocate.