Moments seemed to take an eternity to pass. What felt like a lifetime was only a matter of hours. The wait outside Athena's temple was pure torture for Io's. She knew not of her comrade's status against Medusa. She could not hear their voices, or see their valiant fight against the gorgon. The torment caused Io to curse Athena for her actions to save women from Medusa's curse. Io had journeyed with them thus far, she could not bear to leave them now.
Then she heard them. Footsteps. Io's turned her head toward the entrance of the temple. Relief filled her heart as Perseus emerged from the temple. As Io's watched Perseus emerge from Medusa's lair, time seemed to drift back into its steady pattern once more. Her racing heart steadied its nervousness. Perseus held the look of loss, but his bag held the trophy of his task. She smiled with sadness, knowing those great men had fallen, but had not died in vain.
And by the stroke of a sword, time stood still. Io watched as Perseus gazed upon her in shock and horror. The steal of the blade pierced through Io's chest. Io cried out in shock. It moved slowly, until the point of the blade protruded out from her chest. Io screamed as she was lifted by the impaling sword, into the air. It was then that Io's saw her attacker, Calibos. She looked upon him only for a moment before he threw her from his blade.
Io fell upon the ground. She lay motionless, her body slowly dying. Her finger tips lay across her chest, over her grave wound. She found herself gazing at Perseus. She saw his anger, his fear. She watched as he rose, reaching for his sword. Io could not bear to watch the fight, yet she could hear it.
Her chest fell slowly, growing weaker as the dragging moments passed. Io swallowed as she felt her life slipping from her. Her death was slow, agony. But she would soon find herself among the gods that she had turned from.
And then he was by her side. He knelt down beside her, face full of worry remorse. He knew Io's was dying and he could do nothing but watch. Io's felt sorrow, not or herself. Perseus had seen so many friends and loved ones die in front of him, and she would be no less. Io's watched as Perseus was unsure to touch her. As if she would break from his mere touch.
His strong hands came to her head, gently caressing her. Had time not been of the essences, Io would have enjoyed her passing in his arms. But his task was not yet complete. She told him to leave, even as he stroked her cheek. She could no longer follow him on his journey, he must continue on his own. Still Perseus refused to leave her side. He swore to Io he would not leave her side, not after she had stayed by his. But it was her time.
And it came. Io's watched her own glow reflect from Perseus. She watched as his eyes grew in astonishment. And then Io's could watch no more. She closed her eyes and turned her face from Perseus, form his touch. She released her final breath. Her chest ceased to rise and Io's felt herself slip from the world of men into the world of the gods.