The Story of Perseus - (1)
Lately, Menthe has been acting quite differently. Whenever I wander around the Underworld, I often see her mumbling to herself with a vacant look in her eyes as she passes by…
"Ugh... I want to go back... No, I can't, but…"
Sometimes, I even find her crouching in the outer reaches of the Underworld. When I ask her what she's doing…
"Lord Hades... I... I can't go on like this... Please reward me! Give me some kind of reward!"
She would lift her head slightly, her eyes brimming with tears, pleading with me. The problem isn't just the pleading, but the fact that she suddenly tries to cling to me.
I tried to avoid it at first, but one time, I softened up and just let it happen. That's when this happened: while Menthe was crying in my arms about how hard the work was...
"Menthe? Have you finished inspecting the fire intensity of the Pyriphlegethon River that I asked you to?!" "The ferryman Charon has been complaining about the strong mint scent... and here you are cozying up to Hades…"
"Eeeek?! I-I'm sorry!"
The moment suddenly turned tense as the fierce goddess Styx and the gentle goddess Lethe appeared and took her away.
Menthe, who looked as if she was facing the same fate as a mortal entering the Underworld, stopped trying to cling to me after that and started flinching whenever she saw me.
It's as if she was scolded or trained somehow...
As this kept happening, I called Hypnos, the god of sleep, to ask about it.
"Are the goddesses bullying Menthe? She seems overwhelmed with work..." "...? From what I know, Styx has only given her half of what she usually handles."
Is that true? One day, I decided to secretly follow Menthe around. From morning till night, she was diligently running around the Underworld working...
'Isn't this actually less work than what others handle?'
Menthe's workload was significantly lighter compared to the average workload of other gods in the Underworld.
Other gods even used their avatars to handle several times more work than she did, while Menthe, who didn't know how to create an avatar, was running around in her physical form.
After that, I figured she would adapt to the workload eventually... so I stopped paying attention. After all, even I was making judgments and handling responsibilities with the help of an avatar while following her around.
And so, I watched Menthe gradually adapt to life in the Underworld with a contented gaze…
One day, the goddess of wisdom, Athena, visited the Underworld.
"Greetings, Uncle. Cough, cough." "...? Why are you coughing?"
Our gods do not get sick. Aside from the curse of baldness, which not even Apollo, the god of medicine, can cure, most diseases do not affect the robust bodies of the gods.
But the goddess of wisdom, one of the twelve Olympian gods, is coughing? Athena forced a smile as she answered my question.
"Ah... It's just that... Sniff The strong scent of mint from the entrance of the Underworld to the Acheron River..." "Is it really that bad?" "...Even Ferryman Charon was pinching his nose as he steered his massive barge... no, his iron ship."
Mint, the symbol of Hades, was originally used to mask the stench of the dead during funerals in Thebes, where my temple was located, so its use was minimal.
At first, Thanatos, the god who harvests the souls of the dead, and Charon, who ferries them across the Acheron River, enjoyed the refreshing scent.
But if mint has spread so widely in the mortal world that Menthe was elevated to the status of a goddess...
How many dead would now be carrying the scent of mint?
"Oh... it seems that mint has become too widespread in the mortal world." "Yes, the scent dissipates somewhat when the souls cross the Acheron River, but before that..." "We'll need to find a way to reduce the spread of mint in the mortal world."
While it's good that my symbol, mint, has become widespread, it's unacceptable if it's causing distress to the gods.
I need to find another solution.
"Uncle... The reason I came to the Underworld is..." "Athena, do you have any good ideas? A way to naturally reduce the amount of mint used in human funerals..."
"Would you prefer a natural reduction rather than issuing an oracle to ban it?"
Of course.
After all, it would be too heavy-handed to decree through an oracle that the amount of mint used during funerals should be limited after mint was given to them in the first place.
"In that case, what if we popularize the use of mint in food? If it becomes a precious ingredient, humans wouldn't waste it in large quantities at funerals..."
"...! That's not a bad idea. Now that you mention it..."
Yes. When I acknowledged Menthe as the creator of mint...
I declared that she was the official creator of mint and that mint-based foods should spread across the world.
I had forgotten about this because I was so busy, but I should have used that method from the start.
Instead of dealing with the overpowering scent by consuming the mint...
If mint is used in tea or food, the amount used in funerals would naturally decrease.
In this era, food ingredients are precious, so the amount of mint leaves buried with the dead would decrease, and the souls would no longer carry such a strong mint scent.
Ads by Pubfuture
"...Uncle?"
Honestly, I don't mind the scent, but since Charon is suffering, as the lord of the Underworld, I can't just ignore it.
So, the reason I'm turning mint into a food item is all thanks to... I mean, because of Charon.
Just as I was about to call Menthe to assign her this task, Athena called out to me.
"The reason I came here was actually to ask if I could borrow your Helm of Darkness, Uncle."
She wants to borrow my Helm of Darkness, forged by Arges, one of the Cyclopes brothers?
That's akin to asking to borrow Zeus's thunderbolt or Poseidon's trident.
I straightened up and looked Athena in the eyes.
"There must be a reason why the goddess of wisdom is making such a request. Explain."
"Yes. I wish to lend it to a human named Perseus, who is destined to become a hero."
"...I've heard of him. Isn't he the unfortunate soul destined to kill his grandfather?"
The king of Argos, Acrisius, had no sons, only a daughter. So, he went to the Oracle of Delphi to inquire about his offspring, but...
"You will not have a son, but your daughter's son will kill you."
"What... What?!"
Terrified by the prophecy, King Acrisius locked his daughter Danaë in a tall tower. However, Zeus transformed into a golden shower and entered the tower, where he lay with her.
As a result, Danaë and her son by Zeus, Perseus, were cast into the sea by Acrisius. Specifically, the two were placed in a wooden chest and set adrift on the sea.
Fortunately, they were rescued by a kind fisherman and lived on the island of Seriphos. But...
"Perseus. This is a royal command. Bring me the head of Medusa."
"You... you want me to bring you the head of Medusa?"
"If you refuse, you'll be executed for defying the king's orders. What will you do?"
"Damn it... Fine."
King Polydectes of Seriphos, who was infatuated with Danaë's beauty, sought to eliminate her son Perseus by sending him on a quest to retrieve the head of Medusa, one of the three Gorgons who could turn anyone who looked at her into stone.
"You know of this human, Uncle?"
She Thought It Was Just A Check-Up – Then Came The Shocking News!
TikTok Mom Breaks The Silence On Post-Pregnancy Life
"Even though I dwell in the Underworld, I keep tabs on those destined to become heroes. Especially someone like Perseus, a son of Zeus."
The threat of the Gigantes is far from over.
I've been keeping an eye on humans destined to become heroes.
Especially those like Perseus, who is the son of Zeus.
A predetermined fate.
Not even the immortal gods can change the absolute law that governs it.
Not even the king of the gods, Zeus, can change a fate revealed through prophecy.
So, while I knew Perseus was fated to kill his grandfather, I didn't dare consider altering that fate.
"A son of Zeus is my nephew, so I can't just let him die."
"Does that mean you'll lend him the Helm of Darkness?"
"Well…"
Perseus is indeed the human fated to become a hero and may play a role in the war against the Gigantes.
Lending him the Helm of Darkness could be considered an investment in the future.
If it's fate. But...
"It's true that Perseus is destined to slay Medusa and become a hero. But..."
There's one reason I haven't immediately agreed to Athena's request.
"Wasn't it you who turned Medusa into a monster after she was raped by Poseidon? And she was originally one of your priestesses, wasn't she?"
Medusa had been a priestess serving Athena's temple.
But, coveting her beauty, Poseidon raped her in the temple.
Like Artemis, Athena is a virgin goddess.
Having a sexual encounter in her temple was a grave act of desecration.
Unable to confront Poseidon directly, Athena instead transformed Medusa into a monster.
"Your nature isn't so different from Artemis, it seems. Maybe confronting Poseidon was difficult, but taking out your anger on a human seems... unworthy of you."
"Uncle, that's..."
"You couldn't say anything to Poseidon, who raped Medusa, yet you come here asking to borrow my Helm of Darkness to give to a human hero who is destined to kill her?"
Perseus is indeed fated to kill Medusa and his grandfather.
But it was Athena who turned Medusa, originally a victim, into a monster.
While I am inclined to lend the Helm of Darkness to ensure Perseus doesn't meet his end, I'll need more convincing.
"Let's hear your renowned wisdom and reasoning."
The Story of Perseus - (2)
"Let's hear you justify yourself with that famous wisdom of yours, Athena."
When I spoke to her, I noticed Athena flinch slightly. Then she bowed her head deeply and began to speak.
"I know that no matter what I say, it will sound like I'm trying to avoid blame."
"So, you won't even try to make excuses?"
"...From now on, whenever I punish mortals, I will remember your words, Uncle."
I understand that she felt threatened by the potential violation of her vow to the River Styx, but... still. It reminds me of how Artemis cursed Actaeon.
"If something like this happens again, tell me or Zeus. I will at least issue a warning."
"Yes, thank you..."
"And I will remember that you sacrificed an innocent priestess who was raped by Poseidon. See to it that this never happens again."
"I will keep that in mind, Uncle."
I don't like the relieved expression on Athena's face, as if she's glad that this is over. But for now, that's all I have to say about Medusa.
Medusa is not a soul in the Underworld but a living being on the surface, and she was also a priestess under Athena. I can't interfere too much. Though, I do intend to offer her some comfort if she ever ends up here.
"...Now, tell me why I should lend you my Helm of Darkness."
"As you know, Perseus is destined to become a hero by slaying the monster Medusa."
"And?"
"But he is merely a mortal. Without the help of your divine artifact, Uncle Hades, he has no chance of defeating Medusa, who is a demigod."
Honestly, I don't care about whether Perseus becomes a hero or not. What bothers me is the reason that monster came into existence in the first place.
"Then why should I lend my Helm of Darkness to a mere mortal?"
"...How about this: you can meet Perseus in person, Uncle, and decide for yourself if he is worthy of receiving your Helm."
Athena spoke with confidence, her voice steady.
She wants me to personally test him? This answer suggests that Perseus must be quite remarkable if she's this confident.
I can't help but feel curious now. Just what kind of mortal is he?
"Very well. But in return, while I'm gone to test this Perseus, you will take over some of my duties in the Underworld."
"...Understood."
Ads by Pubfuture
Even as Athena had remained composed when I questioned her about Medusa, I now saw a bead of sweat roll down her forehead.
On the peaceful island of Seriphos...
Perseus, who was caught in King Polydectes' scheme to rid himself of the young hero, was brooding quietly. Who would have thought that among the men trying to court his mother, Danaë, one would be a king?
'Damn it... Medusa, a creature with snakes for hair, who turns anyone who looks at her into stone—what a monster.'
Perseus's anger toward King Polydectes grew. The king was using the guise of seeking Medusa's head as a way to kill him, so he could have Danaë to himself.
"Perseus. The king has ordered you to bring him Medusa's head."
"If you refuse, you'll be executed for defying the king's command. What will it be?"
The young man, Perseus, gritted his teeth and grabbed his sword. The king's command was clear—he had to find a way to kill that monster.
He considered fleeing with his mother, but the king's men were watching them, and every ship was under the king's control.
There was no excuse he could give for not going to slay Medusa. If he fled alone, his mother, Danaë, would be left to face the king's wrath.
'There's no way out of this...'
Just as Perseus finished arming himself and prepared to leave for Medusa's lair,
Whoosh—
A strange gust of wind suddenly blew through, and there, before him, stood a man with a gloomy expression and dark hair. His somber eyes scanned Perseus slowly.
Even though Perseus was a mere mortal, he could feel the overwhelming presence of the man before him—a presence that felt like magic itself... with a subtle but palpable force... This was a god!
Thud.
"...Are you a god?"
Perseus immediately knelt on one knee and bowed his head to the unknown deity. Could it be that an Olympian god had come to help him?
Just as a sudden surge of faith began to well up within him, the god spoke to him.
"Are you Perseus?"
"Yes! I am Perseus, my lord!"
Perseus responded with a powerful voice. But the god's words were cold.
"I've come to see the man who's about to become one of my subjects."
"Excuse me? What do you mean...?"
"I am Pluto, god of the Underworld. Are you the human who's going to commit suicide by going after Medusa?"
Ads by Pubfuture
The fact that this man was Pluto, one of the three chief gods, was one thing... but did he just say I'm going to die soon? To Medusa?
"Medusa is a demigod with the power to turn anyone who looks at her into stone. You stand no chance against such a creature."
"..."
"Your death is inevitable. Your name is already inscribed in the records of the Underworld, and I came to meet the mortal who was foolish enough to march to his death."
Damn it! I'm fated to die at the hands of Medusa? Perseus's body trembled slightly. The idea of walking into certain death...
"But there is one way for you to survive."
"There is... a way for me to live?"
"The king desires your mother. If you agree to their marriage, you will not have to face Medusa and die."
"...?!"
"Your mother will become queen, and you will be richly rewarded. Doesn't that sound like a good solution?"
Pluto's cold tone was undeniably logical. King Polydectes wanted Perseus dead because he opposed the marriage to his mother.
If Perseus changed his mind and consented, he could save his life. His mother might dislike the king, but if Perseus could persuade her...
There would be no need to risk his life.
But the thought of leaving his mother to be forced into marriage made him sick, and running away with her was impossible.
Yet, if he followed the king's orders and went after Medusa, he would die. Pluto, the god of the Underworld, had confirmed it as an unchangeable fate.
'Damn it... Damn it...! No way, not me, Perseus...'
Perseus bit down hard on his lip.
I watched as Perseus, trembling, bowed his head to the ground. A young mortal overwhelmed by despair at his lack of options, his anger at the king fueling a storm of emotions.
He stayed in that position for a while, shaking slightly, before finally going still.
Then, slowly, Perseus lifted his head. The first thing I noticed was his lips, torn and bleeding from where he had bitten them.
"That cannot be, Lord Hades!"
His eyes blazed with a fierce determination as he looked up at me. Where have I seen this kind of fire before? It reminds me...
"I will behead Medusa and survive, no matter what!"
Yes, it's just like the courage that the great hero Cadmus showed me when he tricked Typhon. Perhaps... perhaps I should test him just a little more.
"Your name is already in Thanatos's ledger. You will soon come to the Underworld and meet me again."
"It would be an honor to meet the lord of the Underworld again, but..."
Secrets And Scandals - Revelations About Melania Trump
Guests That Turned Late-night Show Into Late-night Chaos
It was a death sentence, confirmed by the god of the Underworld. To meet Medusa, an unbeatable monster, meant certain death.
"Still, I will slay the monster and make Polydectes pay for what he has done!"
"Medusa is no ordinary monster. She is practically a demigod."
"Even if it's my fate to die, I cannot give up! I will do this, no matter what!"
Perseus inhaled deeply as he spoke. Despite my attempt to shatter his resolve by invoking fate, he did not waver.
He hadn't realized that I was testing him, and instead, he accepted the challenge head-on.
Even in the face of a certain death foretold by a god, Perseus was undeniably a hero.
"...You remind me of Cadmus."
"Pardon?"
As Perseus looked at me in confusion, I extended my hand. A mortal who defies fate... How intriguing.
"Believe in yourself and move forward. My blessing will be with you."
"...?!"
Though your story may end in tragedy, at this moment, I will support you.
I swiftly returned to the Underworld and approached Athena, who was busy managing the souls. The goddess of war and wisdom clattered over in her armor as she saw me approach.
"How did it go, Uncle?"
"As you suspected, he is indeed a worthy mortal. He reminded me of Cadmus, who tricked Typhon."
Athena's face brightened.
"Does that mean...?"
"Yes, I will lend you my Helm of Darkness. Take it."
"Thank you, Uncle!"
I handed the black, aged, and transparent helmet, the Helm of Darkness, to Athena. With this, I've indirectly assisted in the death of Medusa... Hmm.
"Now I'll go and deliver the other divine items to Perseus."
"The other items?"
"Yes, my Aegis shield, Hermes's winged sandals, Hera's magical bag, and Ares's sword will also be given to him."
So, the plan was for Perseus to use my Helm to approach unseen, locate Medusa using the reflection on Aegis, and then strike swiftly with Ares's sword while wearing Hermes's sandals for speed.
With Hera's magical bag, the Kibisis, he could safely store Medusa's head...
"Then, I'll be off, Uncle."
As I watched Athena's back as she departed from the Underworld, a bitter feeling crept into my heart.
Fate is unchangeable, not even by Zeus. But was this truly the best outcome? I'm not sure...
I should start preparing a proper compensation for the soon-to-be victim of fate.
Next Chapter Update: August 19, 20:00
Story of Perseus - Part 3
Narration from Hades' Perspective:
After seeing Athena off with the Helm of Darkness, I returned to the throne room of my fortress. Soon, Perseus would slay Medusa and rise as a hero, as fate had decreed.
"Thanatos, send an apparition ahead to where Medusa resides."
"Hmm. Is it time already? Very well..."
The old god with black wings nodded and moved. It wouldn't be long before Medusa's soul, having met her destined death, would arrive in the Underworld.
As I sat on the throne, contemplating Medusa, the goddess Styx approached me.
"Hades, let's watch how Perseus does."
"I'm busy with other matters..."
"Don't be like that. Many gods are paying attention to him."
Perseus is the son of Zeus, marked by fate to become a hero. Because of this, many gods lent him their sacred weapons without hesitation.
Not only the gods of Olympus, but even those residing in the Underworld are watching his journey with interest...
"Very well. I'll turn my gaze to the mortal realm for a moment."
Scene Shift to Perseus:
Perseus took a deep breath as he stood before the cave where Medusa was said to reside. His fate was about to be decided.
He closed his eyes and recalled his journey so far, leading him to this point before Medusa.
"Perseus, I am Athena, the goddess of wisdom. This is Hermes, the messenger god."
"The gods of Olympus have…!"
"The gods have willingly lent you their sacred weapons. First, my shield, then Hermes' winged sandals, Ares' sword, and Lord Hades' helmet..."
"My goodness… Thank you!"
The goddess Athena and the god Hermes lent him the gods' sacred weapons. Among them was Pluto's sacred item, the invisible helmet, which he had glimpsed briefly.
"The Graeae sisters, who share one eye between them, know Medusa's location. Though they appear as old women, they are three in number, and you must use their shared eye to your advantage."
"Three of them share one eye and one tooth?"
"Heh. Good luck on your journey, watched by many gods."
"It seems even my uncle Hades has blessed you. Stay strong!"
Ads by Pubfuture
With that, Perseus donned the winged sandals and flew to the Graeae sisters.
As Athena had said, the sisters, who appeared as old women, were sharing one eye and one tooth between them. Perseus, using the Helm of Darkness, stealthily approached and seized their eye.
"I have your eye. Tell me Medusa's location, or I'll throw it far away!"
"Oh no?! We didn't sense anyone!"
"What?! Give it back immediately!"
"You wretch! Ugh… Medusa and her sisters live west of here..."
"Alright. But if all three sisters have serpentine hair, how will I recognize Medusa?"
"Medusa's hair is made of venomous snakes, unlike her sisters, whose snakes have triangular heads!"
The location of the Gorgon sisters, as learned from the Graeae, was on an island at the westernmost point. Though it appeared to be a small and ordinary island, the moment he stood before the suspicious cave within, a chilling aura surrounded him.
Even from outside the cave, the oppressive atmosphere was palpable. It was clear that the Gorgon sisters resided here. The closer he got to Medusa, the stronger this pressure would become.
Perseus, wearing the Helm of Darkness and holding Athena's shield, turned his back to the entrance of the cave. He slowly backed inside, watching the landscape behind him through the shield's reflective surface.
'If I see Medusa's hair, I'll turn to stone instantly… I must not turn around!'
The Helm of Darkness, lent by Pluto, erased all traces of his presence, including sound and scent. Thus, the immortal Stheno and Euryale, as well as the demi-goddess Medusa, were unaware of the human entering their lair.
The sacred items of Hades, Athena, and the winged sandals were performing their roles. The sword of Ares in his hand would surely sever Medusa's head in a single strike.
However, the problem was...
'The pressure… just from their sleeping presence…!'
The problem lay within Perseus himself.
Despite the gods Athena, Hermes, and Hades favoring him, the sleeping Gorgon sisters exuded an overwhelming aura.
This oppressive force bore down on the mortal challenging such a feat. As he drew closer to the sleeping sisters, the pressure intensified.
While he could bear it at the cave's entrance, as he began navigating the rocks and stalactites to approach the sleeping sisters, an unimaginable sense of dread enveloped him.
One step. Sweat dripped from Perseus' brow.
Thud. Thud.
On the fifth step, sweat from his hand holding Athena's shield fell to the ground. Perseus clenched Ares' sword, but his body trembled with overwhelming fear.
On the twentieth backward step, the snakes in the sisters' hair flicked their tongues. For a moment, it seemed his eyes met with those of the snakes, but it must have been an illusion.
The sacred item of Pluto wouldn't be detected. Hopefully...
Drip. Drop.
Sweat, covering his body, fell to the ground. The Helm of Darkness couldn't hide the sweat falling from his body.
Ads by Pubfuture
One step away from Medusa.
As Perseus reached Medusa, he struggled to shake off the numbness in his legs. His body, trained through years of swordsmanship, instinctively warned him.
To flee with all his might from the mighty creature before him!
The droplets of sweat on the ground marked his position. If any of the three sisters woke, his location might be revealed.
Hiss. Hiss.
Perseus slowly raised his sword to strike Medusa's neck, but his arm froze in place. The cries of the snakes, serving as the monster's hair, echoed louder than ever.
Even now… would it be better to flee before it's too late? Could I really decapitate her with this sword of Ares?
"Have faith in yourself and proceed. My blessing as Hades is with you."
Yes... I, Perseus, am destined to become a hero!
It's not yet time to meet Pluto!
Perseus bit his lip hard enough to draw blood, forcing his arm to move. Something hot surged from his chest as he resisted the overwhelming pressure.
Slash—Splat—
"Ah…?! Medusa!"
"What is this?! Who dares?!"
Perhaps that feeling was what people call courage.
Back in the Underworld:
At that moment, the gods in the Underworld watching Perseus were filled with admiration.
"It's over."
"The pressure must have been immense, yet he overcame it."
"Heh. Quite impressive."
Perseus, gritting his teeth, had swung his sword, decapitating Medusa. The sword of Ares, a masterpiece crafted by Hephaestus, easily sliced through the skin of the demi-goddess.
"Thanatos. Please bring Medusa's soul now."
Now, it was time to deal with the aftermath. Though Perseus' destiny was far from complete, this was the end of the hero's tale for now.
It was time to meet the victim of Poseidon and Athena.
After waiting briefly in the courtroom with the three judges of the Underworld, Minos and his brothers, Thanatos soon arrived, escorting a woman.
The terrifying appearance of the monster cursed by Athena had vanished upon her death, revealing her original form. The beauty that had once captivated Poseidon now illuminated the Underworld.
However, the woman herself seemed to find this radiant appearance a curse, keeping her head lowered.
Thud.
"Were you Medusa, a priestess of Athena in life?"
As I finished speaking, Medusa, who had collapsed onto the floor, suddenly raised her head. Her eyes blazed with endless hatred.
"I am no longer that person. Don't call me that."
"...Forgive my rudeness, daughter of Phorcys and Ceto."
I had given much thought to the matter of Medusa. While the death of a monster is a predetermined event in the birth of a hero, the circumstances that led to the monster's creation...
"You were wronged by Poseidon in life and caught in Athena's wrath."
"Grind…"
At the mention of the two gods' names, her anger flared, her teeth grinding as a faint, simmering voice escaped her.
"Is the lord of the Underworld mocking me?"
"No, I am here to apologize to you."
Confusion flickered in Medusa's eyes, despite her visible effort to suppress her fury.
"If one's life has been manipulated by the gods, turned into a monster, and then used as a sacrifice for the birth of a hero, such a person deserves proper treatment."
"..."
"I granted weapons to the hero who killed you, and though I have no right to apologize on behalf of Poseidon or Athena, as the ruler of the Underworld, where all mortals end, I express my regret."
I conveyed my apology with a calm tone, looking directly into Medusa's eyes. Though I was genuinely sorry, I couldn't bow my head. After all, I am the king of the Underworld.
"...It seems the rumors of the lord of the Underworld being a merciful god are true."
After some time, Medusa's eyes softened slightly. If my apology brought her some comfort, then my position as one of the three rulers was indeed fortunate.
"Now, let me speak of the recompense you shall receive. Choose one from the following."
"Recompense...?"
"First, I could speak to Zeus and have you immortalized as a constellation."
Being turned into a constellation in the heavens is a great honor, symbolizing eternal remembrance. Heroes, animals, and gods are often immortalized by Zeus' personal decree.
If she chooses the first option, much of her honor, tarnished by her death as a monster at the hands of Perseus, would be restored.
Medusa, who had briefly shown a softened expression at my apology, looked stunned.
"...A monster like me, turned into a star in the heavens?"
"Zeus may object, wanting to elevate the feat of his son who slew you, but in the end, he will have no choice but to accept."
If Poseidon feels any remorse, he may support the request, if only passively...
Zeus wouldn't easily dismiss my petition either.
And as for Athena, who turned Medusa into a monster? If she has any sense, she'll accept it. If she opposes… she might need a little admonishment.
I continued speaking, keeping my eyes on the bewildered Medusa.
"Yes, and the second option is..."