This was a joy to write, some of my best work.

I did delete this for a few hours, but I realized anxiety was what keeps me from finishing. I always feel so close to failure, but this... was too good. I had to finish it.

SO please, what do you think?

Helios knew he was a genius for leading Aaron to Medusa, he didn't need his powers of foresight to foresee that it would be an easy match up. Aaron was just as desperate for family as Medusa was. Medusa's craving for connection resonated through Tartarus whenever she was there, as well as when she was on earth. It was clear as day, a mocking pulse of her curse and it's dark purpose.

What he did not expect was for Aaron to ask to honor the dead, the statues of her past victims. He was right though, to do so, and to tell Medusa she was not at fault. Being alone for so long, Helios knew how vile isolation was to the mind. He had darker, more twisted thoughts that he knew what to do with. He could not imagine Medusa, who had been alone far longer, being much better off.

With his powers connecting him to Aaron, he saw the boy drawing a chalk circle around the center of Medusa's compound, adding roses from her garden, as well as salt and blood symbols. Coins for each soul was laid out, allowing them to enter the Underworld in peace. Together, they kneeled and started to utter the simple yet potent prayer spell.

"Honora mortua, obsecro te. Surge a sepulchris tuis et in vita beata invenies pacem. Hanc tibi oblationem facimus, virtutis, magicae et cognoscentis, quod in nostra memoria semper pars mundi eris. Duc tecum amorem, lucem et pacem, quam pacem tuam inveneris!"

The magic rippled from the Witch and monster, infused with powerful desire for peace.

Medusa started sobbing, her next words echoing through Helios' heart. "Please, forgive me. Being alone, so alone, and infused with a curse that seeks victim... my heart, it found peace only in the statues. The only way I could embrace connection. I will not pretend I am not to blame, but I want to change. The boy, this boy, he with such few words reminded me of the person I was before Athena's vile curse. The person I want to be again... but to be her, I need you. Not your love, or even your forgiveness, but your acceptance. Help me walk this path."

And then, Helios saw something he could never have believed had he not been looking.

The statues all shattered, their residual energy, life force and mystical presence started to spin around Medusa. The power was substantial, god tier though not that of a major god or titan. Spinning around and around, the energy thickened, increasing in density until lightning crackled and struck Medusa straight in her chest. Her scream echoed throughout Tartarus, almost shattering his connection even as the sound knocked Aaron off his feet, but as the energy cleared he saw something amazing.

Medusa, still monstrous, looking at Aaron straight in his face, his glasses having been knocked off. The boy was gaping, eyes wide but entirely free of stone.

"You're not stone... you are free, I am free. How?" Medusa asked, begged.

The boy's smile was radiant. "Forgiveness, and the power of their souls. They must have joined together to answer your prayers, I mean the dead can know the future, so why not heal you?"

She could not help but sob, holding her chest. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

And Helios knew how to get out of Tartarus. "I need spirits, human essence to drag me out of this place... and the boy will be my vessel to do so."

And plots upon plots began.

""

'So this is what pure, true magic can do. I really need to be more careful, as it is I am probably on Athena's shit list.' Shivering at that notion, Aaron turned to a still crying Medusa. "I did not plan this... but I am glad it happened."

"So am I." She whispered and he knew she meant it. "I can only hope it healed my victims long past..."

"We need to find a new way to make money, though, so we can stay here. So we can turn this into our home."

She nodded, standing. "I made a remarkable amount of money from those that bought the statues. Persephone did so... and if the spell was strong enough, it likely healed her statues, she will not be happy."

"Likely we pissed off a lot of god, but I don't care. The evils we helped make right, even if slightly, come first. Now... Let's clean up and start to brain storm."

"How familiar are you with our world? I have this feeling you were quite isolated."

"I was."

"Then let me pay you back by helping you come to knowing where things are. From Camp Halfblood to Olympus to the Waystation."

"Wait, before you do... how do you honor a god? We need to honor the one that sent me here." And within minutes, food was tossed into the fire she kept by her door out of habit. "Thank you, for your help, whoever you are... thank you, eternally..."

She nodded, and tossed in her own food, as well as a vial of her healing blood. "This vial of blood, a potent cure, is all I can give. Please allow it to be enough for my savior... and know this. You have my loyalty and respect, whoever you are."

A small flicker of energy, a weak, meager sunlight flicker, burst through the fire and they both knew they were heard.

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a joy to write.

The Soul idea was based Dante's Inferno the game, and how they fought Lucifer.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.