An uncanny feeling of despair spread throughout the twelve as they crept down through the ruins of the old civilization. They saw only the steeples of once thriving cities that were now lost to the unique red desert sand. When they were within a half mile from the barrier of the large fortress, they found hiding places behind large rocks where they began to scan the stronghold. Now that they were so close, the fortress was much more impressive especially the artillery that it contained. Large laser cannons and other weaponry were found throughout the barrier of this enormous mountain. One blast from any of these guns would leave nothing but craters wherever they were fired. Luckily, there was still no movement from these long guns which showed that they had not yet been detected.
The General had a small device in his hand and was pressing different symbols. He then turned and looked down at Gennai. “Are you ready?” He gave a quick nod, but the General could see the anxiety on his face. “I wish there was another way, Gennai. If I could take your place, I would in a second.”
“Just turn yourself into a rat and you can,” laughed Gennai.
“A power unfortunately I do not have.” The General gave him a broad smile. “The bravest hearts come in the smallest of creatures. That is what I see from you.” Tharros, who was standing by the rat, smiled, and nodded in agreeance.
“Thank you,” said Gennai with his tiny smile. “I will get that door open.”
“I know you will,” said the General. He turned and looked at Tharros. “I have inputted the coordinates and Pegasus is ready to fire. The impact will be directly over the first air vent. I will give you the signal through your com when I am firing. I calculate that it will take just under six seconds to strike the coordinates.” He then tapped his ear and said, “Testing one, two, testing.” All the other eight gave a jolt upon hearing the General in their ear. They all forgot they had the device still in their ears.
“I can hear you loud and clear,” said Tharros.
The General gave her a thumbs up. Seeing the shock from the others told him that the other coms were working. He then turned to Gelio. “Alright, Gelio, you are up. That’s see what you have.”
Gelio became excited. These were not her first tiny robots that she had created with her new powers, but they were the first to be used in actual battle. She looked at Gennai and gave him a broad smile. “This one is equipped with a thermal scan.” She held up what looked like a small disc. She pressed the sides and immediately a tiny head popped up and little wings on the side. It began to fly and hold its position above Gelio’s palm. It looked very much like a tiny hummingbird. “Once inside, hold the disc up and press the sides. That will launch the robot and then it will scan the fortress which will give it a map to follow, leading you to the front doors.”
“Are you certain it will work?” asked Gennai. “No offense, but none of us have been in that Fortress.”
“It will work,” said Gelio. “I have done this many times. Well, it was to find vaults in banks but same thing.” Gennai could only give half smile with a nervous look. “This one is the fun one.” She held up what looked like a tiny insect. “This little guy will climb into the locking mechanism of that door and overload it with an electric shock. All you have to do is place it on the control panel of that door and it will find what it is looking for.”
Gelio then gave one of her anxious looks which made Gennai nervous. “Something wrong?”
“No, nothing,” answered Gelio. “I just hope that door does not have an override switch. If it does, we will have less than ten seconds to get us all in.”
“We will make do with what happens,” answered the General. “If I can make it in, then I will find our Gorgon.” He looked at Gennai. “Are you ready, rat?”
“Hey!” said Tharros with a smile on her face. “I am the only one who can call him that.” She picked up Gennai and placed him on her shoulder and gave him a smile. “Are you ready, rat?” Gennai nodded his approval.
The General then turned to the others. “Alright. Let’s cause a diversion.” He grabbed one of his laser guns from his holster.
Dyamion readied a large laser rifle that he was able to create in seconds. He cocked the gun and power surged through the long gun ready for battle.
Dunamis equipped his energy bow. An energy arrow appeared as he pulled back the energy string.
Hephaestus created a fist with both hands and flames rose up his arms. He cracked the bones in his neck by shifting his head left to right.
Atromitos softly roared into her hands and flames appeared. She formed a double-bladed sword from the flames in seconds. Her Mati eyes glimmered in the blades.
Gelio pulled out a small laser rifle and had four tiny attack robots all equipped with laser guns and tiny powerful missiles. A holographic eye appeared before her left eye enabling her to see what the robots saw.
Makarios had all eight laser guns armed and ready. He also had an exploding web ball ready to fire.
Filos dispensed melting plasma into his hands. They began to glow with fierce power.
Igetis unsheathed his very sharp blade that began glowing brightly.
Rose armed herself with an energy ball.
The team was ready.
The General stepped out and gave the fortress a couple of laser blasts. An energy shield was seen pulsating around the fortress then there was silence. All crouched down ready to battle whatever may come from the fortress.
Another few moments passed and the General looked confused. No movement from anything in the fortress. Everything looked undisturbed. He was about to give the fortress another blast when a gross looking hand popped up from the sand next to him and grabbed his leg and began to pull him under. Gelio screamed while the others jumped back, not expecting this.
The General was able to free his leg and jumped back with the others. Then the hand retreated underneath the sand. Everyone was on their guard looking around, not wanting to step anywhere. Suddenly two creatures fully emerged from the sand right next to the General and grabbed both his arms. The creatures had no face but only what appeared to be a skeleton head. Their arms had part flesh and bone as did their legs. The creatures looked quite grotesque which made the nine retreat backwards. These creatures were truly undead.
The General freed one arm and sent one creature flying with a laser blast. The other creature grabbed the laser gun, and they began to struggle. These creatures appeared to have no muscle but flesh and bone, but they were still very strong. The General was able to point the laser gun at the creature’s head and when it began to growl, he fired a second laser blast which knocked off the creature’s head and it released its grip. The General thought that it was dead, but it began to move again. What was left of the creature retrieved a blade from a holster and swung it at the General. The General easily dodged the swing and then fired two more laser blasts which sent the creature flying backwards.
Suddenly, many other creatures began emerging everywhere around the fortress. It looked to be hundreds of different types crawling out of the sand. Some had laser rifles and others had swords and spears. They all looked hideous. The laser cannons on the fortress began to move and pointed in their direction.
“We certainly got their attention,” said Igetis.
“Yes, we did,” said the General. “Tharros,” he said through the com. “We will draw them away. You and Gennai keep hidden until the time is right.”
“Understood,” said Tharros as she looked at Gennai who appeared very nervous after seeing what came up out of the sand.
The rest of the team retreated away from the fortress. Lasers began flying in their direction. They all were blocked, and the team retaliated with fire power of their own. Lasers, plasma balls, bright energy arrows, fireballs and energy blasts flew back at the undead creatures. Many of them began falling like flies. Suddenly more crawled up from the sand.
The General saw that the laser cannons on the fortress were going to fire. “Shields everyone!” yelled the General. All formed shields using their powers just as the laser cannons fired. The laser fire was rapid and began hitting everywhere around the team leaving large craters. Sand exploded everywhere as laser fire ricochets off the shields hitting the ground around them. Another blast from another large cannon was seen from the fortress and a big explosion surrounded the team. Tharros and Gennai gave terrified looks as they believed their friends had been destroyed. When the smoke cleared, all ten were all standing with their shields still intact.
“Tharros,” said the General into the com. “It is time.”
“Understood.” Tharros gave a quick nod to Gennai who was hanging onto her neck. Gennai returned the nod and gave a nervous gulp. With incredible speed, Tharros launched into the air that drew the attention of some of the undead creatures. Laser fire came at them from the fortress. Most of the laser fire was still pointed at the other team along with hundreds of creatures pursuing them. The plan was working. Tharros dodged the laser fire with little effort. She concentrated on where to drop Gennai with little disturbance from the fortress.
“Firing,” said the General as he pushed the symbol on his device. Two blue lights began descending rapidly from the atmosphere above.
Tharros did a quick loop and flew directly over the fortress. “Now rat! Jump!”
Gennai jumped from Tharros neck and fell towards the fortress. He created his own shields knowing the blast would be big.
Suddenly a big blue explosion lit up the sky making all the undead creatures turn. The team could see their brave team member falling towards the fortress. Energy was pulsating through the shields. When Gennai reached the shields, he passed through them with only receiving a small shock which set his fur on end. He then ignited his jet pack which slowed him down and maneuvered towards the air vent. With an energy blast, he blew off the cover and into the air vent he went.
He landed in one of the ventilation tubes in pure darkness, breathing heavily. He could not believe the plan worked. He immediately grabbed Gelio’s first tiny robot and launched it. It emitted a large light which showed that the ventilation in this fortress was not well cleaned. He felt the air passing through the tubes. “Something must need air to breathe in this place,” he thought out loud, “or it wouldn’t need these air vents. That’s just hope I don’t run into anything before reaching the doors.”
“Rat!” screamed Tharros into the com. “Rat! Are you alive?!”
“I hear you Tharros! I am alive and ok!”
He could hear a sigh of relief. “Next time do not take so long to answer!” Another sigh of relief. “Good luck rat! We will wait your signal.” Gennai could hear more explosions going on outside and knew he would have to move quickly, or the team may not survive. He looked at the tiny robot and said, “That’s go number one!” The tiny robot began moving forward with Gennai right behind.
The General gave a broad smile as he heard Gennai’s voice through the com as he now swung both his blades at incoming undead soldiers. Boney arms, legs and heads could be seen flying as he continued to battle the hundreds of creatures now surrounding his team. Hephaestus had also switched to a blade of fire that exploded with every impact. Rose was using her standard weapons as before and was piling up quite a number of undead soldiers.
Tharros had joined in the battle to help her team. She could be seen twisting her weapons in every direction. The weapons changed with almost every move. First, they were double blade swords that deflect incoming laser fire and other swords and spears. Then one weapon quickly changed to a heavy broad axe that smashed a creature’s shield to bits then she finished the job with a broad hammer. Then she was whipping a chain at the feet of incoming undead soldiers while defecting their attacks with a large broad sword.
Dyamion had changed his weapon to two quick firing laser pistols that he was firing in all directions with incredible accuracy. He then quickly changed from two pistols into a powerful shotgun that fired a powerful blast at a pack of undead soldiers charging the team. The blast sent bones flying and then he switched back to two pistols and began firing in both directions.
Atromitos used the power of her growl to blasts many undead soldiers to pieces. She then blocked incoming attacks from laser fire, swords, spears and axes with the energy power in her fists and then used that same power to send the attacking creatures flying with every punch and kick that exploded with tremendous force at every impact.
Dunamis continually fired his energy bow at all attacking undead creatures. The blast took out three to four soldiers at a time. When they got too close, he switched to two broad axes that smashed through the bones of the undead creatures at every impact. Bone fragments could be seen littering the ground along with the creatures’ weapons.
Gelio looked to be playing a game in the middle of the pack as she used a holographic controller to control her robots as they flew around firing lasers at attacking creatures. If any creatures got too close, she blocked their attacks with the robot arms she had equipped around her and then fired her laser rifles attached to her helmet she was wearing.
Makarios was firing lasers in all directions with his equipped laser guns on his legs while firing plasma web bombs.
Filos continued to fire powerful fire balls in all directions. He then shaped the fire into a double-bladed sword and began blocking all incoming laser fire, swords and other weapons. He then unleashed a powerful firewall that scattered across the sand sending creatures flying.
Igetis dodged each attack with incredible foreknowledge of where the incoming weapon would hit and then sliced the creature with one quick strike. His accuracy and movement were remarkable. With each creature he encountered, he seemed to know how they would attack before they did.
The battle was going well in their favor even though with each undead soldier that fell into piles of bones, two to three emerged from the sand to take their place. The team was holding back the strong force against them using their incredible powers.
Then the enemy stepped up their attack. Giant creatures came shooting up from the sand with undead soldiers riding their backs. These giant creatures had intense yellow eyes and fierce protruding teeth. They looked like large, long serpents that move rapidly with each slithering move. They plowed over the undead soldiers without any care and moved quickly towards the invaders of their fortress.
The team retreated quickly to avoid the incoming creatures. They fired all weapons trying to stop the large creatures, but they continued to move forward. They were all able to dodge the large creatures but the force of the moving sand underneath the large creatures sent most of the team flying and hitting the ground hard. Some of the team members became pinned down with laser fire as they used their energy shields to deflect the incoming fire. Undead soldiers advanced on the team as they saw that they had them at a great disadvantage.
Inside the fortress, Gennai was moving as quickly as he could through the ventilation system of this massive building. The tiny robot was his only source of light and was his only guide. Around each corner, he saw new shadows that made him feel he was being watched. He kept going knowing the team outside depended on him.
Suddenly, he heard a sound from behind. It seemed to be something quickly moving towards him and then it stopped. He looked behind him and could see nothing in the shadows. His heart was beating quickly, and his breathing was rapid. He aimed his arm toward the darkness and fired only a small energy sphere from his bracelet on his wrist. The energy sphere was only to project light, not meant to harm. It slowly flew backwards towards the darkness. About two-hundred feet behind him, the sphere’s light revealed a creature that would give any species nightmares.
It was a creature that was twice Gennai’s size. The first thing that the rat saw was thick, sharp, massive teeth protruding from a large drooling mouth. The creature had two eyes that glow a dark red and had black fur covering its sleek, muscular body and long tail. Its four paws showed claws that could slice Gennai to pieces with one strike.
The creature creeped forward, drool dripping from its mouth. Gennai could only stare. Fright had taken him over. The creature began to growl, and his eyes seemed to glow a darker red. More explosions were heard outside, which brought Gennai back to reality. He remembered why he was here in this awful place. Gennai took a heavy breath, turned, and began running as fast as he could with Gelio’s robot still leading the way. He heard the pounding of the creatures paws behind him. Gennai did not think he would be able to outrun him for very long.
Outside, the team had been able to gather in a group and were preparing to advance again on the attacking creatures. The large slithering serpents were circling the team while the undead soldiers riding the backs of these large creatures were firing down on the team. Other undead soldiers were approaching from all sides.
Dunamis used his energy bow and fired an energy rope around the neck of one of the large serpents. He grasped the energy rope and began pulling and galloping in the opposite direction. The serpent did not have the strength to pull away and was dragged behind the galloping centaur. Dunamis then swung the serpent across the sand causing the serpent to roll. All undead soldiers riding the serpent were crushed by the body of the serpent. The large serpent then appeared disorientated. Using this to his advantage, Dunamis fired energy arrows inside the serpent’s large mouth. Large energy explosions began happening inside the creature. After ten perfect aimed arrows hit their mark, the middle section of the large serpent exploded sending slime and intestine in different directions.
At the same time Dunamis was fighting off one of the large serpents, Hephaestus charged another and rammed the creature in the side at full force. The creature rolled to its side, sending the undead flying from off the creature. Then Hephaestus, made a fist and fire erupted around his fist and up his arm. He then punched his fist into the underbelly of the creature where it was less protected. His whole arm penetrated the body of the serpent. He then pulled his arm out which was covered in slime and other gross intestines. In his hand appeared to be the serpent’s heart which he flung to the ground along with all the slime and guts. The large serpent creature fell to the ground with its tongue hanging out the side of its mouth.
Gelio could only stand and stare at what Hephaestus just did. “That was both extremely gross and absolutely thrilling at the same time,” said the small serpent. She then went back to taking out undead soldiers with her flying robots.
The rest of the team continued to fight using every possible strategy. They were able to take out another large serpent and the undead soldiers were still falling like flies. While laser fire and other weaponry was still coming from the fortress and more undead soldiers and large serpents continued to emerge from the sand, the whole team had only one thought on their minds, “Gennai hurry as fast as you can because we won’t last much longer.”
Gennai was hurrying through the ventilation tubes with a nightmarish creature in pursuit. He hoped that he was close to his destination. Then he stopped suddenly in his tracks. Standing before him was another creature blocking his way. He turned and saw the other creature approaching from behind. He had no choice but to fight. He aimed one arm one direction and the other in the opposite direction. The creatures continued to move forward. Gennai took a deep breath and fired two plasma spheres in both direction as the creatures jumped towards him. The plasma spheres exploded upon impact sending the creatures tumbling backwards. They both stood once again but appeared injured and smoke was rising from their powerful bodies. They began running forward again. Gennai fired again in either direction and more explosions were seen. This time both creatures stayed down. Gennai slowly moved forward holding both arms out ready to blast the creature in front of him again if he saw any movement. As he passed the creature, it did not move and all he could smell was burning fur and other body parts which made the rat gag.
Outside the fortress, the team was taking a beating from what seemed to be the ever-growing undead army. As they continued to take out many undead soldiers and creatures almost every minute, the army was growing and becoming more powerful. The only way that they could stop this army was to take out the source of the power that was creating these undead soldiers and they all felt the Gorgon was the key.
The General called the team to gather into one location. Once they were gathered, they all began firing in all locations taking out undead soldiers with every blast. Then the General yelled “Shields!” as he pushed a symbol on his device. Suddenly, there were many blue lights quickly approaching from the atmosphere above. The impact on the planet around them was ginormous. The ground felt as if it was shaking. Sand, rocks, bone fragments, serpent intestines flew in all directions as the explosions rocked the area around them. As the smoke cleared, the team looked around and all that could be seen were piles of bones, parts of creatures and scattered weapons covered the ground around them. No undead soldiers could be seen. The team began to walk around the area with their weapons ready. All of them were either limping or breathing heavily. The battle had taken quite a beating on them. Their bodies seemed to be regenerating quickly, but how much longer could they go on. They hoped the hard part was over, but of course they were wrong.
Suddenly, objects appeared from beneath the sand at different locations surrounding the team and the fortress. These objects appeared to be shield generators. A large mechanical sound was heard and then a giant spark and then a giant dome forcefield appeared that surrounded the team, the fortress and the surrounding area. The team began firing at the shield generators, but they were protected as well. The team was now trapped within the dome, without any outside help from Pegasus. Undead soldiers began crawling up from the sand along with many large creatures. The team could only sigh heavily knowing that the battle had become much worse.
“Gelio!” said the voice in the com. “Gelio! Are you there?! I am at the main doors! I am ready to deploy the second robot!”
“Oh, thank goodness!” shouted Gelio. “Place the tiny robot on the control panel and it will do its thing.”
“Ok!” said Gennai. “Placing the robot on the control panel!” The tiny robot began to walk around the control panel and then disappeared behind the panel through one of the cracks on the panel. “I hope this is quick because I have creatures following me and I am not sure if I can hold them off!” A blast was heard on the com system emphasizing that the poor rat was under attack.
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“Rat! Are you ok?!” shouted Tharros.
“I will be fine if I can get this door open!”
Gennai saw that the control panel was lighting up and then sparks flew. Large mechanical sounds were heard and then nothing. After a few moments, Gennai shouted, “Gelio! Not sure that it worked!”
“Give it a few seconds!” shouted Gelio through the com system while firing lasers at incoming creatures.
Suddenly, the main doors began to open. The team saw them and began running towards them while firing in all directions. They held up their energy shields because they were taking heavy laser fire from above. The General and Tharros were leading the way.
Gennai could see the doors opening and his hope increased that soon he would not be alone within this great fortress. The team continued to run to the doors as they fought incoming undead soldiers and explosions were happening all around them. They were nearly there.
Then another thorn in their plan happened. The doors stopped opening when a second loud mechanical sound was heard. There was only a small gap available for the team to run through. Then the doors began to close. It appeared that it would be impossible for any of the team to make it though. Gennai looked at the control panel and did not know what to do.
Tharros saw that they were not all going to make it through the door and decided that at least the General needed to get into the fortress. She grabbed the General and flew into the air and swooped forward at incredible speed towards the closing doors. Gennai saw them coming and stepped back knowing that it will be close. Tharros and the General passed through the door with less than an inch of space between them and the door. The main doors closed with a large mechanical sound and then there was eerie silence inside the fortress as the General, Tharros and Gennai gave each other that look of, “It is wonderful to see you, but what do we do now?”
Outside the fortress, the rest of the team was retreating. Laser fire and explosions had increased. The team was pinned in with their escaped route removed. Two of the smaller team members had fallen and were in pain because of being hit. Hephaestus picked up the team members and began retreating back to find cover. Rose fired a large energy blast that cleared them a path. The rest of the team members were firing in all directions and using their shields to protect the team. Once the team had retreated and found cover behind large rocks, Hephaestus placed the team members he was carrying safely behind the rocks and then faced the incoming enemy. He rushed forward with his fists on fire. He slammed both fists to the ground and explosions began scattering from his position outward. Undead soldiers and creatures began falling to the ground as they were hit with the explosions. This move gave the team a few moments to breathe. Hephaestus stepped back obviously feeling weak.
“That us hope that the General, Tharros and Gennai can take care of the Gorgon,” commented Hephaestus. “If not, we are doomed.” He gave the team a broad smile. “I am sure he will win.”
“Your confidence is inspiring,” said Gelio sarcastically trying to catch her breath.
Inside the fortress, the creatures that were chasing Gennai had now retreated when they saw the General and Tharros. Now the three were investigating their surrounding area looking where to go next.
“Is there anyway to get the door open,” asked Tharros.
“Power looks to be cut and that door is extremely heavy,” answered the General. “It will take time to break through. Time, I believe we do not have.”
“So, what is our next step?” asked Gennai.
“We face her with just us three,” answered the General with a stern face. “It will be difficult, but I believe we can do it.”
“We are at your command General,” said Tharros.
He nodded and began walking forward down the halls of this fortress with his blades drawn. The halls were pitch dark, so he used the energy from his blades as torches to guide them. As they explored the fortress, they saw many characters that were carved in stone. The detail of the carvings was incredible. Tharros and Gennai believe many of them to be live species.
“These characters are so lifelike,” commented Gennai. “There are many different species of all types. Who are these species?”
“Those are not carvings,” answered the General. “Those are her conquests.”
“You mean these were actual species?” asked Gennai with a gulp. “Live and breathing species?”
“Yes, at one time, but now they are her trophies of all those that dare oppose her,” answered the General as he continued to explore the fortress.
“Why did she encase them all in stone?” asked Tharros.
The General stopped and turned and looked at Tharros. “The Medusa has power to turn anyone into stone by simply looking at her opponent’s eyes. That is why she is so deadly. That and her large stature, quick movements, her deadly accuracy with her bow and the rattling tail.”
“She sounds delightful,” commented Gennai.
“How do you fight such a creature?” asked Tharros.
“Without looking at her face.” commented the General. “Or with your eyes closed.”
“That makes the battle three times the struggle.” commented Tharros.
“Which is why we have three of us to battle her,” smiled the General.
A few moments later they were standing in front of a large stone double door. “This appears to lead into the throne room,” said the General. “That is where she will be.” The General forced both blades into the gap between the doors and began to push the doors open with all his might. They began to give way and slide open. Once there was a small enough gap open, the three entered a large room that was lightly lit with a large fire pit in the middle of the room. There were large pillars that seemed to go on forever to the high ceiling above. There were more “trophies” that decorated the room in many locations. The fire in the room gave off many shadows which made the three step forward very slowly within the room feeling they were being watched. Once they reached the middle of the room, they heard what sounds like a rattle coming from up above on a large pedestal. They looked up but only saw what appeared to be another stone trophy, but then the top of the head began to move rapidly. Then the head lowered but the face was still hidden in the darkness. A unique, dark female voice was then heard.
“Who is this that enters my fortress?” said the voice. “Are you followers of the mighty Zeus that has returned? Are you here to destroy me or demand my servitude to his glorious plan?” She began to slither down the long staircase towards the three. Her face was still hidden in the darkness. “I know the witches gave you my location and I know who they serve. But I have no master and I will not allow Zeus to rule me.”
“We are not his followers, but we have come to end your destruction,” said the General.
The voice gave out a loud deep laugh. “A Darkkarian, an Aetos and a rat. This will be very entertaining.” She stopped at the bottom of the stairs. Her face still could not be seen. The three could see that her height towered over them. Her body was long and muscular, and her tail continued to rattle. Her hair was slithering in all directions and hissing at the intruders. “But your voice Darkkarian. I have heard it before. Tell me your name.”
The General seemed hesitant but after a few moments he said, “I am Perseus.” He said it with a low tone as if he was ashamed of what he said.
The Gorgon did not speak for a small moment, but all could tell that she was pondering the name. Finally, she spoke. “How quite ironic that you have come to stop my destruction where you have caused much yourself.” Tharros believed she saw tears falling from the General’s eyes. “You claim to be not his follower, but you are his SON! How dare you enter here and claim that you are here to end my reign when you travel around to planets making them bow to your father’s will! You are the monster here, Perseus!”
The General bowed his head and did not speak for what seemed like forever. Then he finally spoke, “My father destroyed many lives and will destroy many more if we do not stop him. All followers of him and his creations must be destroyed or there will never be peace. Even when Zeus was imprisoned, you rampaged and destroyed many. You litter your fortress with all of your conquests and show them as trophies. You will not stop because you do not want peace. You want power.”
“Then Son of Zeus,” she slithered forward, and her face was shown in the light. The General immediately shielded his face. “Prepare to be destroyed!”
Her eyes glowed white and it appeared that the General’s arms and legs began to turn to stone but then stopped. The Medusa lunged forward and swung a large battle axe down on the General. The General broke free of the stone from his hands and blocked the incoming swing. His eyes were closed, and he was looking down, not wanting to look at her face.
Tharros and Gennai prepared their weapons and followed the General’s lead not to look at her face. Tharros struck at the Gorgon, but she blocked her strike with a second battle axe in her other hand. The snakes in her hair hissed at Tharros, which frighten her. Gennai shot a plasma sphere which did little damage, but she winced in pain. She then swung her long tail and hit Tharros and Gennai and they went flying against one of the large pillars.
The Medusa then began striking at the General with fierce blows, but the General was able to counter each one. She then tried a tail whip to knock the General down. He was able to avoid the tail whip by flipping over the Gorgon. He began attacking her with powerful swings pushing the Gorgon back.
The Medusa countered and pinned one of his blades to the ground. She struck hard with the second axe and the General partially blocked the attack, but he did take a hit to the face. He felt the cut on his face, and it began to heal quickly. The blade that was pinned to the ground slipped from his hand and now he had only one blade to defend himself.
The Gorgon attacked with impressive quickness and intensity, making the General use all his strength to counter. Then after suffering a hard blow to his shoulder, the General’s blade was knocked from his hand. Another blow sent him to the ground where he was rolling in pain. Medusa raised both battle axes high in the air and swung them down towards the General which could be a deadly strike.
Tharros intervened just in time by countering the strike with two broad swords. She then pushed into the air with all her strength sending the Medusa staggering backwards. Then she flew around the Gorgon striking at her with harsh blows. The Medusa shrilled in pain. Gennai approached firing his plasma weapon. Explosions erupted around her, and she retreated. Gennai went to the General’s side, and he saw the wounds created were healing quickly. Tharros now stood by the General with her weapons drawn.
“Are you ok?” asked Tharros.
“I have been better, but it will take more than a few hits to take me down,” the General answered as he put out both hands and his blade retreated to him like magic.
The Medusa had retreated behind one of the large pillars in the corner of the large room. The three took a battle stance waiting for her attack. Suddenly she appeared from the darkness and her eyes began to glow.
“Shield your eyes!” shouted the General.
All three did, but they could feel stone beginning to form around their ankles and arms.
“Break loose!” shouted the General.
As they tried to move, the Gorgon placed the ends of her battle axes together which formed an impressive bow. She pulled back on a string that appeared out of thin air which was made of fire. An arrow glowing with large flames now appeared ready to fly from the bow.
The General saw what was about to come at them and yelled, “Move!” The three broke from the stone holding them and dived in all directions as the fire arrow struck where they were standing. A large explosion was seen blowing stone and sand everywhere.
More flaming arrows were fired at the three and they dove again to dodge the incoming attacks. More large explosions were seen and then they heard a dark cackling laugh.
“You stand no chance against by power!” shouted the Medusa. Her hair of snakes moving violently, her tail rattling rapidly. “Come out and meet your fate, Son of Zeus!”
The General was now hiding in the darkness knowing that a hit from those flaming arrows could possibly be his end. He did not know where the other two had gone. She began slithering slowly around the large room exploring every inch looking for the three intruders. She began to mock them for their cowardness of not facing her.
“How can the son of Zeus dare hide from a battle and not face is enemy,” cackled the Gorgon. “It is now obvious that you three are cowards. At least I look my enemy in the eyes before they turn to stone.” She continued to slither looking carefully around each corner, her hair continued to move aggressively, hissing at every moment. Her tail rattled ever so quickly as she seemed to be enjoying the challenge.
Suddenly, the General jumped out from behind a large pillar and swung at the Gorgon. She barely blocked the attack and then swung her second axe at the General. He dodged the strike and then an aggressive battle pursued. Sparks flew as metal hit metal. Large pillars began to crumble as weapons struck stone. Both the General and the Gorgon showed that they were equal on the battlefield as each showed their strength and power.
Finally, the two were locked together by their weapons each trying to push away the other. The General tried to shield his eyes as he knew the Gorgon’s greatest weapon. His arms looked to be weakening.
“You are no match for me, Perseus,” mocked Medusa with her thin smile. Her sharp black teeth showing. “You will forever live in my throne room once I look into your frighten eyes.” Her eyes began to glow again. The General closed his eyes and looked down. He could feel his arms turning to stone and moving down his body. “It will soon be over son of Zeus and all your suffering will finally be gone.” He could now feel stone forming on his legs. He had to do something now or it was over. Tharros and Gennai stared in horror, not knowing what they could do.
The General then used all his strength and kicked upward, striking the Gorgon in the chin and breaking away from the stone forming on his body. Their weapons became unlocked as the General flipped backward. As soon as he landed, the General advanced forward striking the Medusa with powerful hits. She retreated trying to avoid his strikes. Another hit with his blade and another kick to her face and the Gorgon smashed against a large pillar bringing down the ceiling on top of her.
As the dust cleared, the General could not see Medusa anywhere. He only saw large piles of rock and stone. No movement was seen, and silence was all that was heard. Tharros and Gennai emerged from behind a large pillar. They quickly went to the General’s aid to see if he was gravely injured.
“Are you ok?” asked Tharros. “I am so sorry. I did not know what to do. The explosions from the flaming arrows knocked me unconscious and when I came to, I saw you turning to stone.”
“I am recovering,” said the General breathing heavily. “Be on your guard. I do not believe this fight is over.”
“Where is she?” asked Gennai. “If she is under that pile of rocks, I doubt she survived.”
“That would not kill her,” said the General as he approached the pile of rocks carefully with his weapons drawn. “She is much stronger than that.”
Right at that moment, the Gorgon emerged from the fallen rocks by smashing through the stone. Pieces of rock, stone and sand flew everywhere, frightening the three. As she emerged, she held her bow at the ready with a flaming arrow ready to fly. It was pointed directly at Tharros. She fired the weapon.
The General saw this and shouted, “Tharros!” He jumped towards her and pushed her out of the way. The flaming arrow hit the General with a perfect strike, engulfing him into flames and sending him flying backwards. He smashed against a large pillar and stone and rock fell upon him.
Tharros retreated and hid behind a pillar. Gennai did as well. They both were terrified, not knowing if the General was alive. The Medusa began to slither forward, mocking the General’s death.
“Oh, the poor, poor Perseus. How courageous he fought to find himself engulfed into flames by the Gorgon’s bow.” She began to cackle. Her hair began to hiss and laugh as well. “One down, two to go.” She continued to slither forward looking for the last two.
Tharros breathing was rapid, and her heart was pounding. She was so frighten that she did not know what to do. She believed that she just witnessed the death of the mighty Perseus and now she and the rat would be next. She heard the Gorgon slithering closer and readied her weapons. She would not go down without a fight.
Tharros looked around the pillar and could see Gennai hiding behind one of the pillars in front and to the side of hers. They made eye contact, and both nodded knowing what they must do. They waited for the mighty Medusa to be in range and then they would bring havoc upon the Gorgon. She would fall or they would.
More laughter could be heard as she closed in on their position. Her hair was hissing and laughing, anxious to end this battle. Her tail continued to rattle making the two heroes left even more frighten. Then she was within range. The two made eye contact again and they knew the time was close to strike. Both closed their eyes and inched their way closer to the edge of the pillar making themselves ready to attack.
Seconds before they made their move, a sound behind all three of them was heard. The Medusa immediately turned and looked back to where the ceiling and pillar had collapsed on the General. What she saw was a hand rising from the collapsed rock. It was burnt badly but was healing quickly. Then emerged an arm then the head. It was the General. Badly injured but the power he possessed was healing him quickly. He continued to climb out of the rubble slowly. The Medusa could tell that he was in much pain.
She slowly began to slither her way back towards his location. A giant smile upon her face. She raised both axes and thought to herself, “Time to cut the head off the snake.” She was now in stealth mode. Her breathing was calm, her hair did not move, the rattle had stopped. The General did not seem to realize that she was there.
Tharros and Gennai could see him moving. They looked at each other wondering what they should do. They both emerged and yelled, “Perseus!”
But it was too late. As they yelled, the Medusa swung her mighty battle axe towards the General’s neck, and it sliced completely through smashing the stone pillar behind. Her hair hissed, the rattle became excited once again, her grin was bigger than it ever had been. Tharros and Gennai looked on in shock.
But then they all realized that the General’s head was still on top of his body. He was giving her a sly smile. The Medusa reached out her battle axe and touched the General. He began to phase in and out.
“A hologram!” shouted the Medusa. She then turned to her right and saw two blades coming at her neck from opposite directions. Then she saw herself tilting sideways and then upside down and then there was darkness.
The Medusa’s head landed at the feet of the General. He saw it land and fell to his knees exhausted. The body tipped over and blood began to pour from the decapitated body. The General’s breath was rapid, and his body still looked burnt in many places but could be seen healing. He was in obvious pain but not only because of his wounds but because of what he had done.
Then the quite unexpected began to happen. A white light appeared above the corpse of the Gorgon. The General’s eyes widen, and his expression was that of terror. The white light then transformed into an individual. When the General realized who it was, his expression became joy and tears began streaming from his eyes.
Tharros and Gennai both looked at the individual and what they saw was pure beauty. Her eyes showed vibrant colors of green and gold that showed gentleness and compassion. Her face was slender, and her mouth showed a color of natural red that was expressing a gentle smile. Her lightly brown hair fell softly to her shoulders that brilliantly expresses the long white gorgeous dress she was wearing. A soft white glow enveloped her as she floated in mid-air looking down at the astonished Perseus.
The General looked up at the individual’s face and his lips were trembling. He finally was able to speak and the words he said were, “I am so sorry.”
The smile of the individual broaden and her head tilted slightly. “You have nothing to be sorry about,” said the individual with a soft voice. “You have set me free.”
“I brought this on you,” said the General. His lips still trembling. Tears still flow from his eyes. “He did this to you because of me.”
“I lived a life of pure happiness and love because of you,” said the individual in a gentle tone. “I would not trade my life with you for anything.” The light around the individual began to brighten and a portal opened behind her. She turned and saw the portal and then turned back to the General. “Come find me when you get here,” she quietly whispered, and her soft sweet smile returned.
The General calmly nodded and whispered, “I love you.”
The individual whispered back the same words and then the portal closed, and the light was gone.
Tharros and Gennai carefully walked over to where the General was kneeling on the ground. He looked at them and gave them a soft smile.
“Her name was Andromeda, and she was my wife,” said the General. He knew from their faces what they were asking.
“She was beautiful,” said Gennai.
“Zeus did this to her?” asked Tharros.
The General’s face changed to that of sadness. He nodded slowly. “I fell in love and married her without his knowledge. He was angry when he found out.”
“Only because you fell in love?” asked Gennai.
The General stood and began to look around and observed the now dead corpse of the Gorgon. “It is a long story,” smiled the General. “A story that will have to wait for another time. We have more pressing details that we need to take care of right now.” He began to walk around the Gorgon’s corpse, limping and wincing in pain. His body was still healing from being engulfed in blazing fire.
“Agreed,” said Tharros. “The rest of our team outside are probably in need of our help.”
“I believe the battle outside as ended,” commented the General. “When I cut off her head. Her power is now gone from this place.”
With incredible timing, the booming voice of Hephaestus began coming from the com system. “Perseus, I believe you done it old boy. There are no more ‘zombies’ coming up from the ground.” All three looked at each other because they were not familiar with the term. “A word that Gelio used to describe these nasty undead creatures. I like it. It is catchy.”
The three smiled. “It is over. All are still alive in here. How about the team out there?” asked the General.
“All alive and accounted for, sir,” answered the booming voice. “A few more beaten up than others but healing nicely.”
Another voice was then heard on the com system. This one was much softer and gentler. “Perseus,” asked Igetis. It was the first time he used his real name. “Did you get a chance to say goodbye?”
The General was stunned by the question along with Tharros and Gennai. Only the General, his father and the three witches knew. They all thought the same question of “How did he know?” The General then quietly answered, “I did.”
“Wonderful!” said Igetis through the com. “Now you can heal.”
The General gave a small smile. “We are just finishing up in here. It may be a minute. Have some stuff to clean up. We will be out soon.”
Tharros and Gennai looked confused. “Clean up?” asked Tharros. “I thought we were here for a secret weapon.”
“We are,” answered the General. He bent down and lifted up the decapitated head of Medusa. Her eyes were closed, and her hair was still slightly moving. Tharros and Gennai both jumped back and shouted with freight.
“That is the weapon!?” shouted Tharros. “That is the most grotesque thing I have ever heard of or seen.” Gennai could only stare with a shocked look on his face.
“I know,” said the General. “It is a little unorthodox, but I promise you, we will need this.” He placed the head into a designed bag that he brought for this purpose. “Oh, and we also need all her blood as well.”
Two more shocked looks.
“And be careful,” said the General with a smile. “Her blood is like acid and can grow large scorpions if you are not careful.” More shocked faces from Tharros and Gennai.
While they were cleaning up, the rat kept looking over at the General. After the third look, the General asked, “You are wondering how I projected the hologram, but are afraid to ask?”
“I did not know I was being that obvious,” said Gennai.
Tharros gave a smile. “I was wondering about that myself, but you came so close to death…and with everything else.”
“I am fine,” said the General with a smile. “I am nearly completely healed.” He pulled from his bag a small device. “I asked Gelio for this expecting that we would need something to distract her. It worked perfectly.”
“How does it work?” asked Gennai as he continued to carefully mop up the blood and place it into the bag.
“It projects your image into another location,” answered the General. He switched it on, and a hologram of the General was seen about twenty feet from their location. The hologram waved as did the General. “While I was pulling myself out of the rubble, I quickly switched this on and distracted her. The plan worked perfectly.”
“So, this was your plan all along?” asked Tharros with her eyes narrowed. “Coming inches from death with a powerful flaming arrow from the great Gorgon. Then while rising from the rubble, distract her with a hologram and then slicing her head off?”
“Well…” replied the General with a shrug. “I had to improvise a little.” He gave them both his sly smile.
After the three were done, they found their way to the main doors and with a couple of blasts from the General’s laser rifle, they were able to walk outside through the gaping hole that was created. With the Gorgon dead, the fortress had become an abandoned building.
They met up with rest of the group who were all standing around the Pegasus which was now landed on the planet. They were all partaking of celebratory drink because of winning their first battle.
Hephaestus held up his two large arms when he saw the three walking towards the ship. “It is wonderful to see you three alive. I had may doubts when only the three of you had to battle the mighty Gorgon.” He gave the General a large hug. Then Tharros who was not expecting it and a pat on the head for Gennai. Rose as well, gave the General a hug and then put her arm around Tharros and gave her a nod. To Gennai, a wink.
The General held up the bag containing the “secret weapon” and stated, “It is over.” His face showed sadness but then he smiled when he looked upon his new friends. He lowered the bag and placed it on the ground. He then grabbed a bottle from the stash that was brought from Olympus that the others were drinking and raised it high into the air. The others did the same. “To new beginnings.” Everyone nodded and they all drank toasting their new life and their newfound hope.
Gelio then slithered over to the large bag placed on the ground. “Is this the secret weapon that we risked our lives in getting?”
Tharros gave a small grin to Gennai. “It is. Why don’t you take a look? But be careful. It is dangerous.”
Gelio carefully opened the bag and immediately jumped back shouting at the top of her lungs. “What is that!?” Everyone surrounded the bag, wondering what was going on. Tharros and Gennai began to laugh.
The General picked up the large bag. “It appears that Gelio was just first introduced to Medusa.”
“That is her head?” asked Atromitos.
“That is the weapon?” asked Dyamion.
“That is gross even for me who eats blood,” said Makarios.
“I promise you that it will all make sense when we use this weapon against the monster that Zeus will bring into this Universe,” answered the General.
Gennai walked over to Gelio and said with a smile, “The Medusa’s blood can make large scorpions.”
She gave Gennai a weird look and then she smiled. “That is awesome!”
They all boarded the Pegasus and then the thrusters ignited.
“Where to now?” asked Dyamion to the General.
“Home for now. We have much to prepare. And then…” The General trailed off, not knowing if he should say the next sentence.
Igetis asked, “And then we meet another family member?”
The General gave Igetis his sly smile. “Yes. Then we go and see Hades.”
There were shocked looks all around. Everyone had heard that name before.
Pegasus launched into space and then lightspeed home to Olympus.