The night was cold, and the city felt endless. Every corner I turned led to more shadows, more twisting paths that seemed designed to trap me. My feet pounded against the ground, my breath sharp and uneven as I pushed forward. Behind me, I could hear the faint echoes of the Shades, their voices drifting through the air like whispers from a nightmare.
The serpents hissed, their agitation a constant reminder of the danger I was in. My grip on the dagger tightened, though I wasn’t sure what good it would do against the relentless darkness chasing me.
And then I heard it—the sound of water.
It was faint at first, barely audible over the pounding of my heartbeat, but it grew louder with each step. The air around me shifted, carrying the familiar scent of salt and seaweed.
I froze, my body tensing.
The sea.
Memories surged forward, unbidden and relentless, crashing over me like waves. I tried to push them back, but they clawed at my mind, dragging me into the past.
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I was in Athena’s temple, the air heavy with the scent of burning incense. The marble floor was cool beneath my knees as I knelt before the altar, my hands clasped in prayer. The soft glow of the lamps bathed the room in a golden light, and for a moment, there was peace.
But then the doors burst open.
The sound echoed through the temple, shattering the stillness. I turned, my heart leaping into my throat as the god of the sea strode in.
Poseidon.
His presence filled the room, oppressive and suffocating. His ocean-blue eyes gleamed with something dark and dangerous, and his lips curved into a smile that made my skin crawl.
“My lord,” I stammered, rising to my feet. “This is Athena’s sacred temple. You cannot—”
“Sacred?” he interrupted, his voice smooth but mocking. “What is sacred to a god?”
I stepped back, my hands trembling. “Please, my lord. This is not your place.”
But he didn’t stop. He moved closer, his footsteps echoing against the marble floor. The air grew colder, the lamps flickering as his presence darkened the room.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
“You’re beautiful,” he said, his gaze raking over me. “It’s no wonder they speak of you in whispers. Even the gods have noticed.”
I swallowed hard, fear tightening my throat. “I am a servant of Athena,” I said firmly, though my voice trembled. “I belong to no one.”
He laughed, the sound sharp and cruel. “We’ll see about that.”
Before I could react, he lunged, his hand gripping my arm with an iron strength. I cried out, struggling against him, but it was useless. His power was overwhelming, suffocating.
“No,” I gasped, tears streaming down my face as he dragged me to the floor. “Please, no—”
The marble was cold against my skin as he pressed me down, his weight crushing. His voice was low, almost a whisper, as he leaned close.
“No one denies the sea,” he said.
And then there was pain.
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The memory shattered, and I stumbled, my knees hitting the ground hard. The sound of water roared in my ears, blending with the hiss of the serpents and the echo of my ragged breathing.
The past clung to me like a shroud, the weight of it pressing down on my chest until I couldn’t breathe. I doubled over, my hands clutching the ground as tears burned in my eyes.
The sea was close now, its scent stronger, its sound louder. I forced myself to my feet, my legs trembling as I staggered toward it. The serpents hissed, their movements frantic, but I ignored them.
When I reached the edge of the city, the ocean stretched out before me, dark and endless. The moonlight danced on its surface, turning the waves into liquid silver.
My chest heaved as I stared at it, memories flooding back in sharp, jagged pieces. The feel of Poseidon’s hands, the sound of his laughter, the way he had torn my life apart without a second thought.
I hated the sea. I hated its vastness, its power, the way it seemed to mock me with its beauty.
But I couldn’t look away.
The serpents coiled tightly, their hisses growing louder as I stepped closer to the water. My reflection appeared in its surface, distorted and fractured, my glowing eyes staring back at me like an accusation.
“You didn’t deserve it,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “You didn’t deserve any of it.”
The waves lapped at the shore, their rhythm steady and unyielding. The sea had taken everything from me—my innocence, my faith, my life. And yet, here I was, standing at its edge once more.
The sound of footsteps broke through my thoughts, and I spun around, the dagger raised.
Orion stood a few feet away, his expression grim. “I told you not to stop,” he said, his voice low.
I didn’t answer, my chest heaving as I tried to steady my breath.
He stepped closer, his gaze flicking to the ocean behind me. “The sea won’t give you answers, Medusa. It never does.”
I tightened my grip on the dagger, the anger flaring in my chest once more. “I don’t need answers,” I said sharply. “I need justice.”
Orion’s eyes softened, but his voice remained firm. “Then stop letting the past control you. The Shades are coming, and if you stay here, you’ll die.”
I clenched my jaw, the weight of his words sinking in. He was right—the past couldn’t save me now.
Turning away from the sea, I followed Orion back into the shadows of the city. But as I walked, the memories lingered, their edges sharp and unrelenting.
The gods had taken everything from me.
It was time to take something back.