The Hidden World of Gods and Magic

Chapter Ten

Medusa couldn’t help but think back at the time she spent in the village, preparing herself to be the best priestess for the temple of Athena. The time life was simpler. Medusa missed being human. She knew she would never have those times back and it hurt so much to be reminded of that part of her that she lost a very long time ago. She remembered the village. She could see the memory dance in front of her but she could not quite grab hold of it.

“Medusa?” She heard. It was Anisa checking on her. “Yes, I’m in here.” Medusa said. “You ok?” Anisa asked as she entered the room. “Yes…I’m fine…” Medusa said hiding her face. “You don’t look fine to me, what’s wrong?” Anisa asked and took a seat next to medusa. “I…nothing…I was just thinking…” Medusa said. “Thinking about what?” Anisa pushed with a smile. She was not going to give up that easily. Medusa took a deep breath and turned to Anisa. “I was thinking of the time before the curse. I was so happy and everything was so much simpler.” Medusa said with a sigh.

“I know you miss being human, but the thing is, not all of us get to choose how life will be for us. At some point you will have to make peace with it. You’ll just have to find something about yourself that you like and go on from there. Don’t get me wrong, I like the feisty snake woman, who happens to be a very dear friend of mine.” Anisa said with a wink. Medusa chuckled. “You always know what to say when it matters most, don’t you?” Medusa said. “I wish that was the case.” Anisa said and hid her face.

“Seems to me like you are the one with a problem. What’s wrong?” Medusa said relieved not to go into more details. “Well, I’ve been having trouble adjusting. I can’t tell what’s real and what not. It’s like my memories belong to someone else. Or they’re just dreams that I don’t remember having. I know that probably sounds stupid…” Anisa said. “No it doesn’t sound stupid at all. It makes sense; you have been through a lot. Maybe Persephone can answer some questions you might have about all of this. I mean, she has been with you for over five hundred years.” Medusa said.

“You’re probably right. She would know why I only started remembering my past now.” Anisa said. ‘I hope you’re right Medusa. I can’t handle any kind of lie now. There are just too many things that don’t make sense.’ Anisa thought and stood. “Thank you for lending me an ear.” Anisa said with a smile. “Not at all, I’m happy to help in any way I can.” Medusa beamed.

***

“The boy! He was drinking the blood of the young girl. He is one of those demons!” The village elder said. “How can we stop him? He is stronger than the village strong men.” One of the high order men said panicked. “We do not have a choice. He needs to be burned and sent back to the nine realms of hell!” another member said. “We are being punished for what happened to the fair priestess!” another member said. “Calm yourselves!” The elder demanded. “We shall rid this great valley of the demons by burning them to the stake.” The elder said.

“We do not posses rope or chains strong enough for such a task grand elder, how will we pin them in place?” One of the members asked. “We shall ask the goddess Athena to bless the ropes we have so the demon may not walk free.” He said. After the high order, the men started to build stakes as big as too men and as wide as four men. They worked for days on end. No one could warn the boy. If they were seen just looking at the boy, they too would be burned alongside him.

“You there boy! The grand elder wishes to speak to you.” One of the strong men said. “The grand elder? What is this all about?” The boy demanded. “We do not know. He summons you in the grand hall.” The man said. “Very well.” The boy said knowing if we were to run, they would not be able to catch him. In a way the boy was curious as to why the grand elder had summoned him.

“Bellator?” Ella asked shaking him lightly. “Ahhh!!” Bellator screamed. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to…” Ella began. ‘It was just a dream.’ Bellator thought. “It is I who must apologize.” He said not looking at her directly. He had no question as to if Ella saw his eyes flaring red. “N-n-no need to…I just wanted to know if you would like to join us? We are going home today. If you want to, we can get you a ticked as well.” Ella said. “Where is your home?” Bellator asked.

 “Down south.” Ella said dumbfounded. ‘South? That might be where I need to go in order to find my father. If these women would accompany me in my search I might give one to father as an apology for me leaving the way I did.’ Bellator thought. “Very well. Yes I would love to see your homes in Africa.” Bellator said with a charming smile. “That’s great!” The group exclaimed. It was nice for Bellator to feel so needed and loved. He missed feeling that way and now he had a reason to feel so happy. He was one step closer to find his father.

***

Medusa couldn’t stop wondering what might have happened to the young boy who got kicked out of the village. She was there the day he was born. He grew into a handsome boy. At times she would imagine he was safe and had grown into a mighty man, loved by all who laid eyes on him and feared by his enemies.