Author's Note: The ending of Medusa is credited to eros_bittersweet on Reddit!

Takashi, Heracles, and Echo have been leaning forward from the details of Perseus and Medusa's secret love. Tears, anger, and smiles were shared among the group.

Something nibbles away at Takashi's thoughts. That wave of emerald that caused Perseus' shipwreck. Similar in color to his own aura. 

There's no way I could have done something like that.

Echo plucks away the flowers that cover her face. "So romantic. I love stories with opposite lovers like that."

"What is that?" Chrysaor signs.

"Opposite lovers are those with different personalities, but they end up loving each other. Like your mother and father."

Chrysaor nods. However, heavy tears fall from his and his brother's eyes. Echo latches onto him to be there for him. Heracles and Taki are puzzled by how it happened.

"You didn't kill her, right?" The mighty son of Zeus asks.

"I didn't...Athena came to the island."

Their eyes almost shoot out of their sockets.

"Uncle Taki, after I helped you get off the island, she showed up days later," while his aura illustrates the rest.

----

Percy was walking with his family back to the house with a picnic basket in hand and the shield on his back. Medusa walked while wearing Takashi's shades for his protection. A sudden intensity of aura halted them. Their sons cried out of fear.

He dropped the basket to put his family behind him. He adjusted his eyes to find a scowling Athena hovering in the air.

"I gave you what you needed to do this task and made children with this monster?! You foolish man!"

"She is my wife and the mother of my children, Athena. She is everything I want and more. If that makes me a fool, then I'm the happiest fool in the world!"

She pointed her spear at him. "You had one task, brother. Do you see a future with her on this island?"

"I will not harm her, goddess. Just keep our deaths a secret and I will return the weapons you gave me. No one else has to know about it."

Her stoic lips almost curled downward. "So keep lying? Perseus, you are walking on thin ice."

"Please let us go, Athena. I will do anything-"

"No need. You have disgraced me with your actions."

"That's hypocritical coming from you," he shot back with a rumbling fire in his throat.

Her head tilted. "So, she told you her account of what happened? Nothing but lies!"

"You defended a rapist over your own servant, Athena! You are disgraceful!"

"ENOUGH!"

Her armor shined brightly with the raise of her spear. Using his advanced hearing, Perseus swung his shield down. The spear bounced off the unbreakable object. Athena's hands trembled from the attempt. A terrible idea came to her mind.

"Your head is stuffed with idiotic things like love for this creature. Here's an ultimatum for you: If Medusa isn't dead within 24 hours, you and your whole family will die on this island."

 "No, Athena! Just take the weapons and let us live!"

"You have to learn the hard way for lying."

She vanished from their sight and left behind an hourglass which counts down. Perseus rushed his family into the home and comforted his crying sons.

"I won't let her hurt you nor mommy. Let's leave."

"We can't, Percy," her voice wavered while pointing out the window.

His jaw dropped from the energy barrier surrounding the lake and their house. Birds couldn't even fly through it. He swallowed his fear. "Where is Artemis' totem?"

Medusa went to her closet and opened a hidden compartment on the floor. In it was the statue of Artemis and the sword given by Athena. She gave the statue to him.

"Sister, please answer. Athena has threatened our family. I beg of you, come and help us!"

The statue of Artemis glowed. "I'm coming over now!'

A few minutes pass.

Perseus and Medusa heard some indistinct arguing between Artemis and Athena. It got heated between the sisters until there was silence. The sound of a groaning animal broke it.

"I made a new deal with Athena," Artemis held back tears in her voice.

Medusa gripped the totem. "What's wrong?"

"To make up for my lies and in order for the deal to be made, I-I had to kill Orion!"

----

Takashi's milk chocolate eyes darken along with the foaming green aura around him. Echo's flowers wither from the pain of her sister. She could only imagine her thoughts before killing her beloved. Heracles grips his knees for the things he said to his half-sister. Hurtful words that became salt to her open wounds.

-----

Perseus' eyes turned watery. "I'm sorry, sister. I know you cared about him. You sacrificed him so Athena can leave us alone."

"No. For killing Orion, your kids and my servants are exempt from Athena's judgment. However, one of you will have to die while the other lives!" Her voice broke into tears.

Medusa's snakes hissed in horror. "That's not right!"

"I know, but she brought up the only deal that she can do."

Perseus refused to give up. "Artemis, maybe there's something our dad can do. He will be able to talk her down."

"I will be swift," before her statue light went out. 

Percy kissed his wife's hands several times. "My father will make this right. I never asked him for anything before. We are going to get out of this."

The bottom of the hourglass got fuller which made them unable to sleep. Argued whispers are exchanged between husband and wife. Who would stay behind?

Artemis' statue glowed. Her voice, weary and exhausted. She relayed that she had to battle Athena on the way to Olympus. Even then, she talked to their father. He wanted to help, but the Fates forbade him from interfering. The Huntress sobbed that she couldn't help them anymore.

His stomach churned with hopelessness. Looking at the timer, he guessed 20 minutes are left. No options left except--

He made Medusa pack their clothes for her and the children. She tried to use her Gorgon strength to knock him out, but the demigod grabbed her arms. He promised her sisters to keep their family safe. 

"Have Artemis contact them. This was the best time of my life. I love you."

Medusa almost reduced to tears, but Perseus rubbed her metallic hands. "The shield gives me a chance at beating her. I will be right behind you."

He knelt down to his sons who hung onto his legs. "You are the best sons a father could ever ask for. In case I don't make it back, protect your mom and be good to her."

They resisted his gentle push until Medusa pulled them away. She then gave her husband a passionate kiss on the lips. Perseus picked her up around the legs while kissing her strongly. He lowered her down.

"You better make it back."

"I will. Now go!"

Pegasus was hovering successfully, so Medusa didn't have to pick him up. She took his hand while carrying Chrysaor in her arm as they ran out. Perseus walked out of his home with the shield and heard them make a good distance from the house.

He deliberately thought about all the pain Athena had put his wife through to fuel his strength.  Light-golden aura foamed around his shield and body. The last grain of sand fell.

Athena appeared in a bright light in front of him. "This is unexpected."

Percy's aura flared up from the mix of emotions. He readied his weapon. Athena didn't draw out her spear. Her eyes are looking past him. Waiting for something.

A familiar scent disturbed his whole being. He checked the inside of the shield. Medusa stood in front of their house with the golden sword in hand!

Is she trying to fight alongside me?!

She took off the glasses with tears dripping down to the ground. The rising blade revealed her intent as she closed her eyes. He ran backwards to stop her.

"I love you, Perseus."

His eyes couldn't believe it until the Gorgon's head landed with a heavy thud, followed by her body. Her blood sprouted flowers around her corpse. Dropped the shield, he scrambled over to her. His pupils shook as he stroked her face.

Heavy tears dropped onto her face accompanied by him cursing the Fates, his father, Poseidon, Athena, and himself. His agonizing screams left his throat filled with gravel.

Outside the barrier, his children wanted to go to him. Artemis stopped them while mourning the loss of another loved one. 

Athena pushed back a strand of blonde angel hair. "It is done. I will correct Artemis' lie and allow you to go home," she dismissed her death without care.

Her words kicked the hornet's nest in his chest. He took up the sword and shield. "You could have left us alone!" He charged at her with wild alternating swings until the goddess knocked the sword out of his reach.

Perseus blocked her spear strikes with his shield until he bashed her helmet! Her vision blurred from the unexpected hit. He adjusted the shield at an angle and threw it like an uppercut.

She leaned back, but the edge of the shield cuts Athena across the nose. Golden crimson dripped down to the rocky ground to her shock. A bit of fear flashed in her eyes as Percy rushed in for another attack. She summoned an intense light that disoriented all of his senses. His knees buckled underneath him.

Enough time for her to grab the shield and push him away. She withdrew her light.

He groaned from hitting the dirt but converted the pain into rage. Athena encircled him with a barrier, but the enhanced defenses broke through with a divine fist. She stepped to the side from the energy attack, but it was a feint.

The energy transitioned into a hook that connected with her left oblique. Some air left her mouth by an enhanced kick that almost cracked her breastplate. She set up wall after wall to stop him. Perseus broke through each one with his elbows, knees, hands, and feet. She shined her light again to disorient him, but he used his arms to cover his eyes and ears.

Due to being blindfolded and his training, his aura helped him find Athena who was right behind him. She goes to knock him out with chop to the neck, but he grabbed her arm and threw a hand to rip out her jugul--

Athena did something that she never had to do before with a mortal: raising her power to the maximum level. A powerful barrier pushed him away as she shot beams of light that hit his mind and body. He didn't register any pain and charged at her. He struck the wall with his might, but it didn't even shake to his surprise.

The barrier responded by pushing him back. He dug deep to access more of his divine energy but was unable to. He tried to force his channels open, but it was no use. He couldn't break the new barrier no matter how many times he tried.

"Perseus, you are making a fool of yourself. You still fight for her even in this sad state?"

He came to grips that he couldn't hurt the goddess anymore. He acted on a last resort as he ran to Medusa's head. Opening her eyes could reunite them.

A chop to the back of the neck stopped him.

--

Tears and sniffles occupy the room. Takashi hugs his nephew while being furious at Athena for letting things play out. Echo doesn't let go of the brass man while Heracles embraced Pegasus.

The aura illustration continues---

When the demigod woke up, Medusa's head was in a bag. Athena's divine sword and shield were by his side. The goddess also forced his sons to change into the adults they are right now. Both were unable to speak to hide the truth of what happened. Artemis stayed behind to console them. 

That day since only brought tears and more pain.

Stheno and Euryale had been notified by Artemis and they came quickly to Sarpedon. Shock from their adult nephews and the grave of their little sister.

Euryale screamed while sobbing. The vibrations of her scream tore apart the shore. After wailing, she laid on top of her baby sister's grave. Stheno held her close as she prayed for misery for the goddess of justice. Anger rose up in the elder sister's eyes.

Artemis stepped between her and Percy. She took on full responsibility for what occurred. However, Percy pushed her away.

"I failed to be her shield. Discard me," he uttered with dull blue eyes.

Euryale and his sons begged her not to.

Stheno and her snakes embraced Perseus instead. She broke down over what her family went through. She embraced her nephews as well and held on for dear life.

"What of your sons? You are going to leave them without a father? They need you, Perseus."

The sisters noticed that Chrysaor was trying to speak, but nothing came out of his mouth. He was agreeing with them as he turned his father's head to face him. Perseus didn't want to look at his son's eyes. He wished she was alive instead of him.

Nearly endless tears escaped from his bloodshot eyes. The brass man held onto him as Pegasus wrapped a gentle wing around them. After some time, Artemis informed the group that she sent a letter to the Hades to place both Medusa and Orion into Elysium.

The snakes of the living Gorgons gasped in shock. Artemis told them what happened which led them to embrace her as well. She couldn't cry anymore as nothing was left inside her.

At some point, Perseus noticed that Chrysaor could only communicate with certain hand gestures he had learned when he was an infant.

Chrysaor made a motion to his mouth.

"Hungry?" Perseus guessed.

His eldest son nodded.

"I will be right back with that. Stay here," Artemis instructed.

Upon her return, she saw Perseus in the middle of teaching Chrysaor sign language so he could "speak" effectively.

He demonstrated the sign for anger while explaining. Pegasus' angry snort almost cracked a smile on the demigod's face.

Throughout the mourning process, he taught Chrysaor more sign language since he still had the book for that. He improved greatly in communicating in a longer way.

Stheno and Euryale taught Pegasus how to fly which he fully mastered in a short time.

Perseus and the others also taught them about the world so they wouldn't fall behind. After they had taught him all they knew, there was one more thing he had to do. To return home to his mother.

Artemis received a message from her totem that made her crack it into pieces. Athena concocted a lie. That The Huntress threw Perseus off course for a while. That after her death, her children from Poseidon came from her neck.

The demigod's silence spoke volumes over him accepting it. The guilt was too much to overcome.

Stheno grabbed him by the shoulders. "My sister didn't give her life so you could blame yourself! Athena is to blame for all of it, not you!"

Perseus found some strength in her eyes. Akin to Medusa's gentle emeralds. A slight shimmer returned to his eyes.

"I can't beat Athena, but at least, I will defend Medusa's name. I won't let her nor anyone else speak ill of her," before turning to his sons. "You are going to hear terrible things about your mother, but none of them are true. That's why I'm going to tell you everything about her."

"With help from us," Euryale added.

Pegasus and Chrysaor sat down to learn more about their mother. The four of them told the sons of Perseus who their mother really is. How kind, loving, and smart she was. How she was cursed. Everything.

They expressed anger with their golden auras. Pegasus' wings shined and grew hard like metal while Chrysaor grew to his gigantic height to everyone's surprise, including himself. Pegasus galloped behind his aunts in fear.

"Chrysaor! It's okay! Just don't move!"

He listened to his father.

"Sons, listen to me. I'm just as angry as you are. But, I won't let you chase them down. Your mother wouldn't want that for you. She wanted you to live long and happy lives and I intend on making sure that happens."

His sons understood and calmed down. The calmness shrank Chrysaor back to his normal height. Pegasus reluctantly walked out to inspect his brother. He was at peace when he confirmed that it was his big brother. He licked him in the face and Chrysaor gently pats his mane. They then hugged their father tightly. 

"My sons, you are full of surprises. I will help you control that power, Chrysaor. I guess you got that height from your mother's side," he lightly chuckled.

"Where do we go now?"

"You have a grandma. My mom's name is Danae. We have to save her first and then we can be a family."

"Save her? Is she in danger?!"

"Not really. I don't want her to get married to the king. He's not a good man. I will tell you more along the way."

"Doesn't that mean you will have to take her head? For the promise to release her?" Euryale asked.

Perseus shook his head. He wanted to keep her properly buried. He would stop Polydectes with what he has as a demigod.

Artemis stepped forward. "But that will result in a war if you take out the king. Kingdoms will clash with each other. Maybe you should take Medusa's-"

His aura ignited. "I will not use her like a tool!"

"I hate to say it, but she's right," Stheno told him.

Perseus' aura died down in surprise. She calmly explained that Medusa would know he would never dishonor her. With her power, he can protect his family and their legacy.

He slightly opened up the bag containing his wife's head. He gently stroked the motionless snakes. He vowed to himself only to use her as a last resort. He invited the sisters and Artemis to come by the palace at any time.

One final group hug before Pegasus flew with his father and brother on his back.

They flew all the way back to Seriphos to confront King Polydectes.