The distant island of Sarpedon was surrounded by the unforgiving sea. Currents as deadly as they were numerous would attempt to drag any boats daring enough to challenge them to the depth of the ocean floor. Countless wrecks were a grim reminder to the world that this was not a place mortals should venture. Should one such boat however make the perilous journey and reach the coveted island they would be greeted by an intense light. The sun shone down on this small island as if to blind anyone who desired to look upon it.
As the eyes adjusted to the brightness after escaping the dark storms, they bore witness to the scenic ruins of an old temple atop the great hill at the center of the island. Even in their desolate state these ruins reminded of the most revered temples built in the name of the gods on the mainland.
The plant life was minimalistic with the exception of some stray trees; there were no animals or living things to be seen far and wide above ground. It was an eerie place, like the river Styx was flowing right through it.
Why would anybody ever venture into such a profoundly cursed place?
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The wind blowing from the south carried the sea breeze with it, a smell that one could not escape on such a small island. The salty air was putting a white sheen across the old stones of the ruined temple. But the wind carried more than just the oceanic aroma with it today.
“Foolish humans.” A deep voice echoed inside the lower level of the former temple. It was resentful and unforgiving, just like the world surrounding it.
The earth was swished away by something large and then the old bricks shook under the weight of the same force. Curved lines created in the sand spoke volumes of what kind of creature was going on the hunt. And yet the eyes focused on their prey were entirely human.
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“Heads up lads, we made it to shore.” A rough voice echoed across the deck of the small ship. The captain was a muscular veteran seaman whose body sported more scars than healthy flesh.
“This is it? Makes one want to turn back in a rush.” One of the adventurers joked dryly as he oiled up his bowstring and then wiped it off.
“Aye, this is a wretched place.” The man clad in a cuirass next to him agreed.
“Did I band with cowards or what?! Ye maggots consider yourselves men or do I need to cut off your testicles as well?” A one-eyed hero smacked both of his comrades on the back of the head and fearlessly jumped off the boat and into the rough sand.
“Don’t run on ahead if ya want to keep your other eye big guy.”
“Maybe it would be best if he did not.” A lanky looking young man said with a smirk. Unlike the rest he was far from hardened looking and sported no weapons.
“Aye! That might even be a tacital advantage!” The captain roared in hoarse laughter.
“Tactical.” The young man corrected him with a disgruntled smile.
“Sure, whatever ya want milord.” The captain slapped him on the back so hard that the young man almost fell over the ship’s rail. “The rest of you cowards can fasten the ship and prepare the loot bags. If our mity impress’ve hero finds a way to slay that beast we ought to carry as much as we can.”
The crew shouted in acknowledgement and tended to the ship. The three men band of adventurers had taken off first, but they didn’t get very far before stopping in their tracks. While they were busy staring at something, the young man was regaining his composure (as well as rubbing his hurting back). He cleared his voice a few times and then turned towards the lower deck. Inside was their secret weapon.
“I am so very sorry about the discomfort, priestess.” He extended a hand towards the steps. After a few seconds a tender white hand held on to his and a woman covered entirely in cloth appeared in the sunlight. If it wasn’t for her hand and the young man’s words, nobody would have been able to tell that she even was a woman.
“It’s… fine. Just a bit… seasick.” She suddenly stumbled on the steps and fell into the young man’s arms.
“Oh, was this your first time at sea?”
“Yes…” She nodded vehemently, but the motion seemed to make the sickness worse.
“You can rest as much as you want. I did not pay for this expedition to fail over such a minor reason.” The young man led her to a seat next to the mast on top of some sacks with spare rags.
“I apologize… This is so important for everyone. I will be better soon.”
The young man nodded and then turned to the beach. The three warriors were still not moving forward. They were discussing something.
“Where those the best hunks’a’meat ya could get with all those owls of yours, Athens boy?” The first mate asked with a black toothy smile.
“They are renowned for slaying quite a few beasts around Spartan territory. If you had a better choice in mind you could have voiced those thoughts before we sailed across these horrific waters.”
“Nay, I dunno of anybody who’d be mad enough ta battle the Gorgon.” The sailor shook his head and pulled down a worn rope. “Real heroes know themselves some limits.”
“Exactly.” The young man played with his golden necklace and smiled darkly.
“Ya big oaf, stop talkin’ to the young master as if he’s one of your worthless drinkin’ pals.” The captain punched his first mate into the gut with more force than necessary, but the sweaty sailor didn’t even let go of the rope.
“’course cap’n.” He put up no resistance and just shut up.
“’Scuse these uncultured men. We don’t look down on the scholars of Athens.” The captain was rubbing his hands and acted in a way he probably considered sophisticated.
“It matters not. You know how to sail a ship, I have the funds to make this expedition a reality and those heroes out there want to prove themselves. We all fulfill our roles. All is as it should be.” The young man pushed his hand through his luscious shoulder length hair. The rings on each finger made clacking sounds during the motion.
“I can stand again.” The priestess suddenly claimed and forced herself to walk across the slightly shaking planks. “Urrrgh…”
The men watched her antics with dulled eyes.
“No offense milord, but what’s da deal with bringin’ her along?” The captain covered his mouth with one hand as he leaned towards the youth.
“The priestess is here to support us with her wisdom and blessing.” He said curtly and then walked over to her to lend her a hand. “Shall we go on land? It will acquiesce your body’s desire for stable ground.”
“Thank you.” She nodded.
Down on the beach the sandals sank deep. Despite their construction to give stable standing on such terrain, the sand itself seemed to try and swallow their feet. This island was far from anything they had experienced before. As the priestess and the youth got used to the new experience the crew behind them was already preparing barrels and crates. The way in which they were carried suggested they were exceedingly light.
“D’ya really tink we need ‘em all?” One of the sailors asked his comrade.
“There’s lotsa treasure here. Just think of all the previous expeditions that failed too.”
They laughed as if they had just entered a wonderland filled with tasty morsels.
“Shouldn’t we be more careful?” The priestess asked and dragged her white cloth up to not get stuck in the sand.
“You have to forgive these simple men. They live a life of poverty and the promise of spoils means they do not need to risk their wellbeing at sea anymore. The healthy return of a sailor is a rare blessing. Poseidon can be all too stingy.”
“Oh… I didn’t know that.” She really was apologetic. Even raiding a destroyed temple was a grave sin, but the people were not all equal in the eyes of the gods. She knew that well.
“Although, our goal is to rid the world of such an evil creature, so the gods may very well reward us directly!” He put on his most convincing business smile. It encouraged the priestess greatly to hear his optimism.
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After the preparations were made the group advanced uphill until they reached the place where the three warriors had stopped a while ago. The eye-patch wearing gruff leader cracked his neck and then pointed at what they had been staring.
Chiseled statues made of the finest marble were circling the edge of the temple grounds. They were so immaculately made that it felt like they could spring to life at any moment.
“What is it? Why is everyone so quiet?” The priestess asked with confusion.
“The stories might be true.” The young man said as he touched one of the statues. It was a sculpture of a muscle-bound man with a raised hand. It seemed to have grasped something originally, but there were no remains of whatever weapon or item it had been. His facial expression was recreated so realistically. The face of terror edged into the stone was truly chilling.
“’tis not like we got cold feet boss.” The warriors said with grim expressions. “Furies, even that woman ain’t fazed, so we can’t show any less courage.” He slapped his armor and roared. His two fellows did the same.
“Good. I would think that the slayers of the Great Boar would not shirk from a battle that is worthy of their reputation.”
“A-aye! Ahahaha!” The leader laughed fearlessly, but the other two seemed a bit blue.
“We should follow the strategy I prepared to the last detail.” The young man pulled parchment from his chiton and rolled it open. “The creature will not leave the island no matter what.” He pointed at the statues. Every single one of them was within the bounds of the temple grounds, which were central on the island and almost covered all of it. There were sunken shipwrecks across the shore, but none of them had any statues to show.
“Why’s that?”
“I am not quite certain, but it might be due to the curse.” He shrugged and then continued on the written lines. “Our brave heroes will venture into the courtyard and split up into three directions. That will ascertain you cannot be picked off at the same time.”
“Woah, boss, ain’tcha a bit cold? Makin’ it sound like we’re bound to have losses.” The spear wielder growled.
“This is just a preventive measure. I am certain you will handle this without trouble.” He assured them. “Your first job is to lure it out of hiding. If we need to retreat we will use our trump card. So do not feel afraid to run.”
“We don’t run-“
“A momentary retreat is what I meant. As soon as the trump card is in play you will be able to catch the monster off-guard and slay it.”
Suddenly the warriors were showing him sleazy grins. Surprise attacks were their specialty.
After explaining their way of attack the group was getting ready to move out.
“Ah, wait brave men!” They were stopped in their tracks by the priestess. “Let me pray to Athena to fill you with wisdom and cleverness so you may come back triumphant.”
The warriors looked at each other and shrugged.
“Very well. We would be grateful if you put a good word in for us.” The young man nodded and waved the others back. “That is the reason why we brought a priestess along after all.” He made a sign with his hands for the rest to play along.
After the priestess finished praying she got up from the fire and folded her hands. The smoke from the rabbit offering was stinging their noses. Animals were more commonly used as offerings to Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, but the expedition had no way to preserve pure milk or other treats that Athena was fond of.
“Good luck. For the villagers' sakes and all those poor tortured souls… be victorious.” It was moving to be encouraged by such a kind woman. Mercenaries and sailors did not get such a send-off often.
“Let’s go! Do you wanna live forever?! Thanatos is gonna catch us all one day!” The leader shouted and the group dispersed.
“Are you staying here?” She asked the young man.
“Alas, I am but a frail scholar. I know my place.” He said with exaggerated regret.
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“AWAY YA MONSTER! AAAAGHYAAA!” The spear wielder was thrown against a tree by a superhuman force. His spear was broken apart and the moment he looked up to face the horror that had struck him his twisted face stiffened. He raised a hand to cover his eyes, but it was far too late. Skin turned to stone and limbs became solid. In mere second the deathly afraid warrior became just another statue in the collection.
“Shit! They got Kyros!” Another man yelled and then protected his face with a shield. Covering his eyes was not such a bad idea, but…
Slithering sounds, like that of a giant snake, were echoing inside the open hall. It was fast, it was relentless and it would catch up to him in seconds.
“Boss! I got ‘er! Come here with the trump car-“ As he was advancing down the stairs while putting the shield behind him his heart suddenly stopped. Hanging from the arc in front of the gate was the monster he was running from. He could not even scream as his throat petrified and he just stared on in disbelief. The agility of his pursuer was unprecedented.
The creature fell down from the hanging position and as it landed the shaking steps made the ill placed statue fall over. It shattered into a dozen pieces and left only a shield inside marble shards and dust behind.
“Ungodly wench.” The eye-patched warrior had arrived to the call of his comrade. “You will pay for that!” He raised his short-sword and rushed forward.
“They never learn.” The deep female voice reached the man’s ears before her face did. Her glare arrived before him, but to her surprise he had his remaining eye closed tightly.
“I’ll slay ya foul beast!” He swung his sword with all his might.
Of course, a blind man could not hit even an unmoving statue. His opponent simply slithered around him and evaded each swing. His pathetic desperation was painful to witness.
“Haah! Hurgh! Will ya stop runnin’!?”
“I am over here weakling.” The voice said from behind. Before he could turn around his head was already locked in an unbelievably powerful grip. The long nailed fingers of the monster were pressing down on his temples and scarred forehead. Only now did the foolish man realize that the Gorgon was strong enough to crush a human’s frail body without breaking into a sweat.
But instead she pulled his head so far back that his neck almost snapped. A horrifying cesspool of undulating hissing hair was falling into his face. He could feel the small snakes slither across his skin, but they did not bite. Then suddenly one of them rammed its fangs into his eye-lid and pulled it back!
“Mooootheeeeer!” The man arched back in despair before he became a lifeless object as well.
The Gorgon let go of the poor bastard and as he was completely bent back, the statue fell over. It did not shatter unlike the previous one, though.
“Retreaaaat!” The sailors that had spread out as well were all running for their lives. But they would not get away so easily.
The Gorgon grabbed the statue of the one-eyed man and then threw it after the sailors. Two of them were hit by it and fell to the ground with broken legs. The heavy statue had immobilized them. She slithered over to them and then got ready to petrify them as well.
“Useless… all of you are useless!” A young man’s voice echoed inside the courtyard.
“Great Olympus…” A white-clad person next to him knelt down in sadness.
“I won’t die here because of your incompetence.” The man covered in gold trinkets and jewelry declared loudly.
The Gorgon let go of the whimpering sailors as they turned to stone and came over to this feisty one right after. He dared to act pompous when he was at her mercy?
“It’s your turn trump card!” Suddenly he grabbed the white-clad person by the neck and threw them right at the Gorgon!
She caught the surprised thing with one hand and sighed. Humans were always the same. The moment they feared for their lives they would resort to betrayal and cowardly actions. Still, she was not about to show mercy to this betrayed man either. With a light swipe she pulled aside the cloth covering the man’s entire body…
“A woman?” She was truly surprised. Usually these burly men and ‘heroes’ never relied on female companions.
“Ungh...” The woman lowered her head and bit her lip. “What happened?” She asked in confusion.
“Do your job priestess! Think of all the innocents this thing has killed!” The young man exclaimed as he ran down the steps and reached the beach.
She had let him slip away thanks to her short confusion. A shame. She watched the coward return to the boat and yell something to the terrified sailors.
“He is right.” Suddenly the woman spoke up from within the Gorgon’s grip. “You evil woman that would take the lives of good men!” She called out to her in a challenging tone.
“I had quite enough of such speeches.” The Gorgon squinted her eyes and then pulled up the woman’s chin. She did not particularly like to petrify the defenseless, but this one had decided her fate the moment she stepped on this island.
“I am sure you are an ugly hag with horrible crooked teeth, but that’s not a reason to do evil!” The woman, who was actually more of a girl maybe, gave her a piece of her mind. “You are so strong, but you waste your time on breaking spears and snapping swords! You could have helped dig a new well in Athens or toil the fields with that strength!”
The Gorgon was perplexed. No, that was an understatement. She was completely thrown off by that attitude. She was in fact so caught in her disbelief that she let the girl go by accident.
“Ouch! You should treat a woman with more care.” The priestess complained.
“I am going to petrify you now.” She declared with an emotionless voice. That was the first time she had ever been attacked in such an oddly personal way. She bent down and stared deeply into the girl’s eyes.
“I am not afraid of your tricks! The others will slay you even if you petrify me. You will get your comeuppance!”
She wasn’t shutting up. In fact her body was still remarkably lively. Her eyes were looking up, though they missed the Gorgon’s face by a mile. That was probably because they were milky white.
“You are blind.” She realized.
“So? That just means I don’t have to see your ugly face.”
The Gorgon’s expression turned to deep annoyance now. She couldn’t help but smile intimidatingly, even if this girl could not see it.
“Do you understand what kind of mess you are in little girl?”
“What? I am not little! I am a full-fledged priestess in service of Lady Athena.”
“Athena…?” The Gorgon’s face was covered in shadows as she hid her expression.
“Everyone! Strike her down while I distract her!” The girl called out to the others confidently while putting both her arms around the Gorgon’s waist to hold her in place.
Was she serious? Who announced a surprise attack to the target? The Gorgon crossed her arms below her chest and watched this curious human squirm.
“You were abandoned.” She finally broke it to her.
“Huh? You don't think I would fall for such trickery, do you?” Her confidence was agonizing.
“They already set sail and are halfway across the ocean.” She watched the ship disappear in the distance.
“Seriously?” The girl finally seemed to understand that the Gorgon wasn’t the type to make jokes. Her bravado dissipated like a drop of water on a hot stone and she fell to her hands and knees. There was nothing but silence around them. Only an island full of statues and death.
This most unusual of meetings between the Gorgon and a blind woman was the start of something nobody could have ever expected. A tale for the ages to come.