Page 27 of Meduso
I nodded, shifting my attention back to my father. “Yes. I feel as though I am ready, sir. But there is someone I would like to visit before we depart.”
My father gave me a perturbed look. “Who do you need to meet with?”
“Echidna. I would like to see my sister one last time, before we leave. And I would prefer to see her alone.”
I assumed my mother and father would put up some resistance at my request to see Echidna, but they obliged without any concern. “I will verify that she is safe to see. You can visit her tomorrow morning before your departure to Athens, if all is well,” the sea god stated.
“Thank you, father. I truly appreciate this.”
I then bowed to him and my mother one last time.
“Meduso, are you certain you don’t want Stheno or Euryale to accompany you?” my mother asked.
“I’m sure. This is something I need to do on my own.”
“Very well, son. If you do change your mind, just let one of us know. Euryale and Stheno will be available to travel with you, if you so desire.” My mother raised her brow to my sisters, expecting some sort of response out of them.
Both of them nodded. “Yes. Just let us know, Meduso.” Euryale smirked at me as she said this.
My father then went on to reiterate the expectations he had set for us when we would head to the temple. It was rather difficult to prevent myself from yawning and dozing off, but I knew any of those actions would anger him, and I feared any sort of punishment he might invoke. If anything, he could change his mind about me visiting Echidna, and that was not something I wanted to toy around with.
I needed a fresh perspective and someone who would understand my dilemma. Echidna had experienced love with Typhon. At least it was some form of love, right? I still had a hard time understanding how she could love that vicious monstrosity, but I need not judge her unfairly. She had lost the love of her life, a situation I had recently been put through as well. Not only did I want to discuss my affair with Perseus, but I had all intention of sharing my new vision with her, too. And that vision led me to believe that I would love another man in the future, something I could not fully wrap my head around.
The following morning, I met my mother in the grotto and she teleported me back to the peak of the Arima mountains. It was the same location I had arrived at with Stheno just a year ago. I smiled, remembering how marvelous the white snow was. I bent down to pick it up in my hands.The sand of the mountains, I thought to myself. The diverse features of all the places I’ve been to have allowed me to grow to appreciate the uniqueness of so many different locations. A beautiful gift the gods bestowed, giving us a variety of scenes across the world.
I was able to remember the various shapes and forms of the ridges in the mountains which allowed me to navigate down the correct slopes to Echidna’s cave. Nothing had changed here in the past year. The lit torch at the entrance was still bright and ever scorching. I picked it up and allowed it to light my way. In trekking through the narrow cave, I eventually arrived at the spacious, central room where I had met Echidna previously. This time, however, I didn’t have to wait on her for very long, for she was already seated in her violet, suede chair. Her luxurious furniture and decorations did seem out of place for being in this damp cavern.
She sipped on a goblet of wine, before addressing me. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t my dear, sweet brother. Finally, out on his own. A canary released from its cage for the first time. Or am I also to expect another one of our family members to arrive shortly behind you?”
I shook my head. “I’ve come alone, Echidna. I demanded I be by myself.”
She had a quizzical expression on her face and rose from her chair, slowly slithering over to me. “Oh? Is that so? I am curious to know what prompted you to go against our parents’ judgment and feel the need to see me alone.” She traced her long fingernail through my tunic, undoing it, so that my torso was now exposed to her. Echidna then stroked her nail from my belly button, up my chest and to my chin. “There is only one reason why a man would want to visit a goddess on his own…”
Her seduction knew no bounds. Even though I was her brother, I had a suspicion if I tempted her sexually, she would not refuse me.
However, she sorely misread the situation and I was about to enlighten her. “I wanted to talk to you privately. I was at the Island of Seriphos for the past year and I met a man...”
The second I confessed this, a sly smirk appeared on her face. “Ah! I see. Was he strong and muscular, with a face carved by the gods themselves?”
I nodded. “Yes! He is a demi-god. A son of Zeus, himself.”
“Oh my. Well, do tell me more, dear brother,” she requested. Her fingers were now twirling the golden locks in my hair.
“We fell in love. I laid with him every night during my stay. But now…”
I could tell she sensed the sudden sorrow behind me, for she gripped my shoulder in an endearing manner. “You had to part ways, and are now heartbroken, in fear of never having the chance to see this man again.”
I nodded.
“Poor, Meduso. This is one thing the Graeae could never teach you about. Something you had to experience on your own. I know the feeling all too well. Not only will I never get to see my husband again, but I was also forced to give my children up as well. Hydra hides in the marshes of Lerna, Chimera inhabits Lycia, and Cerberus watches over the Underworld, serving Hades.”
It slipped my mind that Echidna gave birth to these monsters. All of which I have heard about from tales recited by Deino, Enyo, and Pemphredo.
The Hydra is an enormous serpent of the seas, with nearly ten heads, one of which is immortal. Many Greek warriors fell to the monster. It was believed that once you cut off one head of the draconic snake, two grew in its place.
As for the Chimera, I recalled it had body parts of a goat, lion, and a dragon. She was able to breathe fire, a trait undoubtedly passed down from her father.
Of all Echidna’s children, I distinctly remember the story of her lastborn, Cerberus. A gigantic hound with three heads. The watchdog kept surveillance over the Underworld, making sure no one escaped the dark kingdom.
