76. This One Favour
Medusa quickly learned that Themiscyrains partied a little too hard.
Drums, strings, singing and dancing continued on a loop.
Even children joined in, weaving through the crowd with colourful paper birds stringed along.
Akrivi also came. The moment Clotho told him there was a party, he rushed back, claiming a much-needed break.
Now he blended in, drinking, eating and showing party tricks that drew awed praises from his increasing band of admirers.
Despite the entertainment barrage, Medusa could hardly relax.
It's been at least six hours since she returned from the Bowl, and partying was the last thing on her mind.
Though Clotho assured her she'd sense it the instant Atropos regains freedom and that she should 'relax a little', Medusa still felt like she was sitting on needles.
She had just pushed to her feet when someone flung an arm over her shoulders, slurring, "Leaving already?"
Hippolyta was smiling, a jarring change from the normally stone-faced amazon. "We've not even begun pit roasting; stay until evening at least. Or midnight?"
The thought of lingering for such a long time forced a horrified shiver. "I really must leave now."
Hippolyta cocked her head and squinted at Medusa. "You... you didn't drink the wine, did you? Here. Have some." She shoved a cup in her face. It was half full with a fragrant purple liquid. "This is strong enough to intoxicate even Zeus."
Medusa leaned away. She'd rather die than drink another questionable drink. "Thanks, but I don't drink undiluted wine."
Hippolyta laughed, her eyes crinkling prettily. "You Grecians are so fussy. To dilute wine is to insult it." She nodded in the direction of the high table. "Mother wishes to speak with you. Stop by before you go." Then she walked away, still chuckling about pretentious refinement.
Because the party was held before an elevated courtyard bracketed by a spread of tents, Medusa had to take a flight of steps to meet the queen.
Thankfully, Otrera appeared sober and was seated alone at the high table.
Her normally wild hair was arranged in a series of tasteful plaits, and she wore a yellow peplos with gold cuffs glistening around her upper arms. When she spotted Medusa, she waved her over and set up a privacy dome.
For the first few minutes, Otrera said nothing. Her attention remained fixed on two centaurs duelling to the cheers of onlookers. Their movement appeared coordinated, with spears arching gracefully as they dodged by shifting to their human form.
"There are some I owe favours," Otrera said as she settled more comfortably in her seat. "Ares. Hera. Even Hermes, but your father was never one of them."
Not knowing what to say, Medusa offered a bland, "Oh."
"Our interactions were sparse. He seemed a tad too serious and very individualistic. Hardly smiled. Like you."
Like me? Medusa frowned, feeling slight offence. "I smile... a lot."
She chuckled and waved good-naturedly. "It's no matter. Having an unsmiling daughter is nothing new." Her gaze sought Hippolyta, who was watching the duel. Though she wasn't smiling, that stand-offish air was missing.
"Do you think you can win the games?" Otrera suddenly asked. "I've never seen you in combat. And Hippolyta said you ran off, so no one knows how you handled that foul energy." She faced Medusa fully, tapping her jaw with a ringed finger. "Say, what did you find out there?"
Clotho already advised her to speak the truth if the queen asked, but what she didn't expect was the queen's reaction to her answer.
She bolted upright, relaxed expression shifting to alarm. "Are you certain? Do not lie to me."
"It's not a lie. Atropos was there."
She looked at Medusa as if observing a strange, new creature. "Then how are you alive? How was—Is she free now? Since her energy is gone..." Her words faded to a low, broken laugh. "Zeus must have realised. He would go mad and ruin us all."
"Atropos isn't free." Yet.
"Did the Moirai tell you that?"
Medusa nodded.
Otrera's shoulders sagged as she exhaled a long breath. "Have you witnessed Atropos take a life?"
"No." But Medusa had nearly become a victim. In that moment, when death sliced so close, there was a conviction that if Atropos' snipper cut her down, she would immediately cease to exist. No reincarnation. No afterlife. Nothing.
"I did once, and what a spectacle it was." Her eyes took on a faraway look. "I still don't know why Atropos stopped at Hephaestus. We were all there, exposed to her murderous rage, but she singled out the only person Zeus loved. I have never seen Zeus so broken... so insane with grief."
What if Atropos does the same to my family? She pictured that snipper coming for her parents, and her heart did a slow sink to her belly. I shouldn't have crossed her. I should have begged instead. Knelt with sincerity and—
Why? The question, asked in a harsh inner voice, struck like a slap. Why should I kneel and beg for mercy?
The Monolith was out there somewhere. Streams of world-changing possibilities waiting to be harnessed, and she possessed its key—an access to gaining what her heart truly desired. So, why should I beg?
A sense of rightness guided her when she grabbed Atropos' snipper. She had done what needed to be done, even though she didn't understand why in that moment. Now Atropos has become a distraction, a barricade in the path of her goal.
You're not the only one with a right to rage, Atropos.
The Moirai's fury may be ancient, but Medusa's was painfully fresh.
The fact that she joined hands with Perseus—that killer who chased her down to another world—triggered a primal indignation.
The emotion erupted from the deepest, darkest parts of herself that she had suppressed with guilt and penance over her many lives.
Even after escaping Cosmolith, they pulled her back into this forsaken world.
For what? To roll over and die because an angry Moirai said so?
"—that cut, the finality of it." Otrera clicked her tongue. "We all felt it. A fate worse than death, like his soul was ripped out and... and pulverised."
"I see," Medusa dully replied, resisting the terror the image conjured.
There must be a way to shield herself from Atropos. Zeus had managed it, and he had a key. If Clotho fails to smooth her sister's ruffled feathers, then Medusa should not be blamed for doing whatever it takes to protect her family.
"Forgive me, but I must leave." Medusa stood and offered a polite bow.
"Ah, I must have bored you with useless talk." She flashed a small, kind smile. "As for the games, I will personally train you whenever I can. But don't feel pressured to win. I would rather die than ask Zeus for favours."
Medusa smiled at that. The truth was, it no longer mattered who she represented at the game or what they planned to use her to demand. She intended to win and take the wish for herself.
Still, she silently thanked Otrera for freeing her from the burden of future betrayal.
"It's a giantification rune," Clotho said as she observed the stone Medusa pried off the drakon.
They were in Clotho's domain with the drakon's massive carcass stretched out between them. Rico hadn't stopped sniffing it. At one point, she had to stop him from taking a bite from the beast's wounds.
Clotho had praised her decision to bring it along, saying that keeping it in her dimension kept it fresh enough for her to extract blood and flesh samples.
"It's releasing an energy I can't harness." Clotho swept a thumb over the stone's smooth surface, tracing a line in Theos Tongue. "Is it the Monolith's energy?"
"Yes." The stone had been warm to touch, and Medusa sensed she could drain its energy. Not that she needed to. Something told her the key would need far more than the stone currently held.
"Interesting," Clotho mumbled before returning the stone and focusing on the drakon carcass. "And you say this thing guarded where my sister was imprisoned?"
Medusa nodded. "Its skin is tougher than iron."
Hunkering down, Clotho closed her eyes and swept a hand across its trunk as if reading braille. "Hmm."
When she straightened, her expression was grim. "It holds traces of southern sorcery."
Well, that was an area Medusa was clueless in. "Is that why it got so big?"
Clotho shook her head. "I'm guessing the Monolith's energy is responsible for that. The sorcery was likely to bind the beast to my sister in some way. You said you saw a mummified body missing a leg?"
Medusa nodded.
"Then that was likely Hephaestus, Zeus' son." Clotho clicked her tongue and shook her head. "Now that the drakon is gone, I suspect Atropos' freedom may be even nearer."
Of course, it would be nearer. The way Atropos raged, it felt like she would break free at any moment.
Several options flooded Medusa's mind all at once.
Should she find a way to free the third sister?
If all the Moirai were free, wouldn't things balance out?
Then she recalled Lachesis didn't want freedom.
At least not yet. There may be another way, though.
"Are you strong enough?"
Clotho looked up from the drakon. "Strong enough for what?"
"If you were to fight Atropos, would you win?"
Clotho blinked at her as if confused, then she released a hearty laugh. "Ah, humans are quite interesting. Why should I fight my sister? It goes against our very nature."
You yourself said you changed over the years, that you learned to feel human emotions. Why would it be different for Atropos?
"I know what I saw. Atropos seemed prepared to fight anyone. She sounded angry at you, too."
"What nonsense." Clotho waved with a chuckle. "I'll be fine whatever happens."
You'll be fine whatever—ha! Medusa facepalmed. What was she doing worrying about a being even greater than deities?
Clotho nudged the drakon with her foot. "You can store it away. I'll get it skinned later. Will also see what we can do with its blood. And come with me. That Akrivi boy is making good progress."
She hummed a tune as she led Medusa to the lab area, which had been expanded with an extra table. Several chunks of rock, magnifying glasses and chisels littered the work surface.
"That boy, I should have focused on him earlier. He only needed a little nudge from me." Clotho settled across from Medusa and tossed a stone her way.
It was deep purple, cut like a teardrop pendant and across it were tiny runic lines she couldn't read.
"That's an upgraded version of his teleportation stone. When he's done, it should help with trans-continental travel."
"Oh." Medusa beamed wide enough to make her cheeks throb. "This is... thank you." She made a mental note to thank Akrivi, too. If they moved at this pace, it may be possible to get all she needed in time.
Clotho waved away her thanks. "Still prioritise learning how to summon your own portal."
Medusa made a face. Clotho knew just how hard she had been trying. To her great frustration, Theos Tongue remained stubbornly impossible to grasp save for a few hollow words. Unlike that one time she fought the acid-spitting bird, no alternative had come. She'd choose this portal stone any day.
"When will it be ready for use?" The stone felt like an ordinary pendant in her palm. A bit weighty for its size, but that was that. "And how do I use it?"
"Depends on the amount of aether one can manipulate." Clotho took the stone back. "Shouldn't be a problem for you."
"Can I move through the portal with a person?"
Clotho squinted at her with suspicion. "You, what are you planning? Do you intend to kidnap Poseidon or something?"
Medusa released a dead laugh. "I wish."
Clotho stared at her for a beat before moving on. "Possessing the ability to create portals is a far better option. Tools can fail." She nudged the stone in question. "You've made good progress so far, no? Don't give up and keep trying with Theos Tongue. It'll come naturally."
Medusa sighed and massaged her temple. This has to be the millionth time Clotho preached this drivel. She had lived six lives so far, and nothing had made her feel quite as dumb as Theos Tongue.
"Something is off in my head. No matter how hard I try, I can't understand that damn language."
"Your parents are deities," Clotho answered with sage-like patience. "You are good with languages. Theos Tongue will come naturally."
Medusa resisted the urge to scoff. That was why she was certain Theos Tongue may forever elude her. Learning languages had never felt this impossible.
"Oh," Clotho perked up as if suddenly recalling something. "Earlier today, your parents fled Hesperides."
"What?" Medusa flinched upright as the worst of the worst scenarios barraged her mind. "Why? Were they attacked? Where did they go?"
Then Clotho hit her with a second horrifying news. "Zeus ordered that Stheno be taken from Athena."
"Ah." Medusa shut her eyes, begging her heart to stop racing. Pleading for that familiar logic that ruled her senses to return. It didn't work. Instead, a crushing sense of doom assailed her.
I'm too late. It's happening already. They were closing in on her. That slip. It must be that stupid slip in Drys Valon. It kept eating at her peace of mind, nagging that she'd been discovered.
Should I have remained in Hesperides and allowed Athena to come for me? Should I have gone to the temple and fled after? Would escape even be possible? Not with Athena's owls everywhere.
Heart still racing in her throat, she forced her lips to move. "What is he going to do to her?"
"By the Creator, you're white as sheets!"
Medusa looked up to find Clotho looking concerned.
"There's no need to fear, child. Though your parents' decision to flee Hesperides came a tad early, it isn't outside anything I expected." She tutted before pulling a cup from nothing and drinking from it. "The wheels spin in the direction I expect them to. Relax."
"You knew this would happen?"
"Surely, you're not surprised," Clotho said in a breezy tone. "Leave Atropos to me. As for Zeus, didn't I tell you I'll keep him from harming your parents?"
"I..." Yes, Clotho told her to pursue her plans at the games without worrying about her parents, but her heart still raced. Where did they flee to? Was it possible to hide from Zeus? And what about her sister?
"Stheno. You said she's in Zeus' custody."
"No-no." Clotho wagged a finger. "I never said that. That she's away from Athena doesn't mean she's with Zeus."
"Then can I see her?"
Clotho waved with her cup. "I can give you their location, even though I'd advise against visiting."
Medusa finally relaxed a little. It would have been better if she were alone, to have no one those vermin can hold over her head.
Setting her cup aside, Clotho rested her arms on the table and fixed Medusa with a direct stare. "Child, the time has come to be upfront with you."
It was rare to see Clotho appear so serious. Medusa instinctively sat straighter.
"I have a problem you can solve."
A queasy feeling spread in Medusa's belly. "I'm listening."
"You know a war is coming."
"Do you want me to fight for you?"
Clotho snorted. "When war comes, you will gleefully fight without me asking."
Medusa strongly doubted that, but she refused to argue.
"The Monolith. Weapons. Foot soldiers. Generals. Zeus possesses all. He is rich on all fronts, but I am poor."
Medusa didn't know about that. Even now, they were seated in vast wealth and knowledge, and she had seen the Moirai display shocking power. She'd be a hard enemy to deal with in war.
Then Clotho said something that made no sense.
"I need you to steal from Zeus."
Medusa dumbly pointed at herself. "Me?"
When Clotho nodded, Medusa spluttered. "Steal from Zeus? You're joking!"
"This is no joke," Clotho replied with a straight face. "There is a general problem on our side. Your father, Ares, Demeter, even your mother and a host of other non-generals are chained by a Monolith-powered oath. When Zeus calls, they must obey."
"Hah!" Medusa listlessly stared at the floating pillars above.
What was this new burden? The goal was the games.
Yeah, the war would come after the games, from what Clotho revealed, but Medusa aimed to kill her enemies and vanish with her family.
As if reading her mind, Clotho's next words mocked her desire.
"Nowhere will be safe across Cosmolith. That mad man is looking for a purge, a restart of sorts."
I didn't ask for all this. She wanted to yell the words, rejecting it the way she had rejected Lachesis idealistic demands.
But this was something else. A war in the Grecian continent alone would be brutal.
Could she stomach so many dying? But I have my own goals. What is this... this nonsense?
"Athena was on a path to breaking that oath, but that possibility has been erased." A small, satisfied smile touched Clotho's lips. "Since you hold a key, find a way to negate the oath and steal us some generals."
Did she really have a choice? Clotho had done so much for her that it would be shameless to fail her now. Sighing in acceptance, Medusa asked, "How do I do that?"
Clotho appeared taken aback by the question. "How would I know? You're the one with a link to the Monolith. Figure it out."
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