Thea tore a strip of fabric away from her tunic and handed it to Eusbisos.
"Thanks." he said, smiling weakly. He pressed it against his wound sat down shakily on the last step, Draco standing over him. Thea turned to see the hunters behind her, eyeing the ground timidly.
"You are leaving." she guessed, knowing by the way they reacted that this was true. She grabbed the both of them in a gentle hug. She was going to miss them.
"Good luck Spartan." the eldest, Ozal said, hugging back tightly. Kucuk sniffled as he held onto Thea and his brother.
"May the gods bless your hunts, and may we meet again in the afterlife." Thea said releasing her companions with a small smile. She left them, turning to help her companions pack. The brothers went in search of Perseus. They saw him descending the stairs and went to intercept him.
"Demigod. We have something for you." Ozal said pulling out the shield made of Scorpiox hide.
"It is very rare and extremely valuable. May it save your life someday." Ozal said presenting it to Perseus.
"Thank you." Perseus said, saying his goodbyes.
"One more thing. Take care of the girl." Kucuk requested as he gripped Perseus's forearm in salute.
"I will." Perseus vowed looking over at Thea as she helped the soldiers prepare to leave. Perseus took a deep breath and joined the others; Solon, Draco, Ixas, Eusbisos Thea, Io, and the last remaining Djinn.
"Well…" Perseus said hoping that he wouldn't be alone in this, "Our chances are grim." He sighed heavily. The group looked at him in silence.
"We've already come this far Perseus, we cant turn back now. Besides, we went into this quest knowing it was doomed to fail." Draco said halfheartedly.
"Wherever you go, I go. It seems our fates are still connected in this…" Thea said a small smile on her lips.
"It wasn't the gods that saved me up there. I will follow you to the end of this." Eusbisos said softly. The others nodded in agreement.
"And I know the way." Io said, pulling everyone's attention on her. After everyone was ready, Io lead the group to the gates of the Underworld, a full days journey that left everyone's energy spent. The group rested on a rotting dock that jutted out into a mist covered bog, The River Styx. Perseus stood at the edge the edge of the dock, staring down at the golden coin his father Zeus had presented him after his encounter with the witches. Thea went to stand at his side, sensing his unease.
"Heads we swim…" he muttered, rubbing the coin between his fingers. Thea placed a hand on his shoulder in what she hoped was a comforting gesture. Perseus turned to her, their gazes locked. Suddenly, a petrified hand moved in between them, snatching the coin out of Perseus's hand. The Djinn spoke in his gurgling speech and threw the coin into the river. The group stared into the fog, listening to the coin skip on the water. After the last plop…a groaning came from the fog. A sailing ship emerged from the mist, steered by a massive cloaked figure.
The boat came to a halt at the edge of the dock, the ferryman motioning silently for the group to board. They traveled down the river in silence, listening to the moans of the dead souls around them.
"So what do we find when we reach the temple…just another monster to kill?" Draco said, his voice startling everyone.
"A monster?" Io asked offended, "Medusa was beautiful once. So beautiful in fact, that the god Poseidon coveted her. She refused his advances and fled to Athena's temple, but the god followed and took her on the cold temple floor. Medusa prayed to Athena for comfort, but the goddess only felt disgust. Athena cursed Medusa so that no man would want her again, the very sight of her turning them to stone. Athena's one gift was to protect other women. Thea and I will not be able to accompany you into her temple…" Io explained, sending everyone into another lapse of silence.
Thea began to panic. She could not protect Perseus while he was in Medusa's temple. She caught the demigods eye and held his gaze as she made her way down into the hull of the ship. The level of the ship was dark and musky. The floor was littered with ropes and nets, lanterns swayed along the beams. Thea hid herself as Perseus followed her down the stairs. She stalked him silently as he searched for her. Grabbing a strand of rope, Thea swiped at the side of Perseus's leg. He jerked in surprise and turned to where she had been standing.
"Medusa has a tail, and that's how she'll use it." Thea explained softly making Perseus look around in confusion. Thea kept moving.
"Keep your eyes down. Trust your instincts." Thea instructed, moving into position to attack again. She struck the back of his knee, causing him to fall to the ground heavily.
"Do you think Medusa will just hand you her head? She wont give it graciously!" Thea admonished. Perseus whipped his head from side to side, trying to track her movements.
"Smell her skin…" Thea whispered, "hear her body coil." She quickly moved to Perseus's other side and struck him flat on his chest. He fell to the ground and stared up at her in surprise.
"Medusa's killed you twice now…" Thea said racing away. Perseus jumped to his feet and sprinted after her, dodging nets and beams, keeping her in his sights.
"Don't look in my eyes!" Thea ordered, spinning on her heel and attacking. Perseus caught her wrist as she pressed against his chest. He smirked at her.
"Try not to enjoy yourself." Perseus teased, pulling her in closer. The contact and closeness made Thea's heart race, but she blamed it on the training.
'I am trying to help you not get killed." Thea hissed. She tried to spin away from him, but he didn't release his hold on her wrist. Thea's foot caught in a net and she fell onto a pile of coiled rope, Perseus coming down with her. They were both breathing hard, their bodies lying against each others perfectly as they looked into each others eyes. They were so close, their noses almost touched. Perseus was still holding Thea's wrist, his hand between them, his other hand resting gently on her hip. Thea's free hand was pressed against Perseus's arm, the muscles under her fingers tensing.
"Thea…" Perseus breathed after a moment of still silence. The way he said her name sent shivers down her spine, and Thea closed her eyes.
"I cant be in there with you, Warrior, so please, be careful." Thea whispered. She kept her eyes closed as she felt his hand leave her hip and run through her hair. The sensation was like nothing she had ever experienced. Her eyes flew open as she heard footsteps descending the stairs. Draco survey the scene below him in silence for a moment.
"We're here." he said, shaking his head and returning to the deck. Perseus winked at Thea and helped her up, the two following Draco in silence. As the group left the boat, Ixas turned and watched it leave uneasily.
"How many of the coins do you have Perseus?" he asked.
"Just the one…" Perseus answered, heading up the ridge towards the temples entrance. The group followed after him, Io and Thea falling in behind. Perseus paused in front of the archway that led into Medusa's lair.
"I've known one great man in my life," he said, turning to the group, "my father. Now, I have the pleasure of knowing five great men," he said addressing the soldiers, "and two women," he said smiling at Io and Thea, "and whatever you are." he added, nodding to the Djinn. The Djinn muttered something in his growling speech but smiled back.
"Now, lets finish this. And whatever you do, don't look this monster in the eye." Perseus ordered, turning to the temple and walking into the dark entrance.
Please Review!