"But sometimes, we don't get to choose what we want in life."

???

AFTER DEPARTING FROM THE CAVE, we continued the journey to Medusa, or rather, to the Lake of Desire. While reading up on Greek mythologies in the library, I have never encountered such a lake. Or perhaps I did, and I've forgotten.

Perseus says the lake is homed to the guardian nymphs who are seen as gods by some people. Mortals, especially soldiers, would make the journey just to see them and pray for mercy as they headed to battle. Many soldiers who fought in the Trojan War prayed to these nymphs for blessings and strength, but no one knew if they really got what they prayed for.

"Here," my hand caught an apple. I look to see Perseus clinging to a sturdy branch while collecting apples in his saddle bag.

"You didn't have to do that," I flew up to him. "I can fly, remember?"

"I know," he said, jumping back to solid ground and leaning against the tree. I land in front of him. He took a bite of the fruit in his hand. "But you were lost in your thoughts; therefore, it would be rude of me to interrupt."

"I was?"

"Yes," he laughs. "You do that a lot."

"Nice of you to notice," I said.

"I'm very observant. It's the first lesson all future kings were taught."

"Future king, huh?" I raise the apple in my hand to see my reflection on its glossy skin, remembering that the person I'm seeing isn't me, as in Jonathan, but Zelus. This long blonde hair and green-eyed daimon will always be a mask to the boy he used to be. "Do you want to be king?"

His eyes searched the forest as though the answer was hiding somewhere and then on mine. He stood to his feet and walked closer until he was one meter away from me. Though, I could already smell the sweat on his forehead from all that climbing.

"Why? Do you want to rule by my side?" He teases.

"I'm no royal, nor would I want to be," I respond, taking a step back.

He burst into laughter, holding his stomach.

"I'm sorry," he's still laughing. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

Not the word I'd use, but sure, why not.

"But to answer your question," his laughter fades. "No, I don't want to be king. When I was younger, I thought it would be great to become king. I get to rule the country, have riches, eat good food every day and sleep with any woman I want, but the older I get, the more I realize how boring being a king is. They have to attend balls each night, devise ways to keep the country safe, welcome new diplomats every third sunrise, care for their subjects, and many more."

"And you don't want those?"

"No," he scoffs. "I want to be free."

He wanted to say more, but he stopped. He turned on his heel, and our eyes met once again.

"Growing up in the castle, I've only known the proper way to dance as a prince, the proper way to wield a sword as a prince, the right words to speak in the presence of another royalty, and well, basically on how to be a proper royal."

He held my face in his hand, and I froze at our sudden closeness.

"But sometimes, we don't get to choose what we want in life," he said. I can feel his veins pumping around his palms. "Sometimes, life makes the choices for us. And there's nothing we can do about it."

He lets go of me.

"A perfect example," he motions to our surroundings. "We're off to slay a gorgon with no guarantee of surviving. Why? Because I want to save my mother from that ass of a king."

He drops to his knees, holding his head in his hands before dragging his fingers in his hair. I amble in his direction, crouching in front of him. I gently push his chin up with my right wing, and his eyes are brimming with tears.

"And worse, I'm hopelessly in love with the daimon before me."

...

"We're here."

The ragged mountains loomed in the distance, chalk white covering the greenery that grew around it. They reached the heavens with their high top, and the base where they stood was broad. The lake reflected the magical scenery. The waters were silver as diamond, calm that it almost seemed like a large mirror. Pine trees lined accordingly, and the sweet-smelling grassy land refreshed our senses.

As we continued down the path, we heard the hymn of the nymphs. Elegant and mesmerizing that could easily charm a raging dragon to sleep. It wasn't long before we saw the actual nymphs. Three women, with beauty unlike any I've ever seen, stood by the shores where the waters were grabbing their ankles.

"Prince Perseus and the daimon of Jealousy, Zelus," the nymph with skin white as snow, and hair dark as a raven's feather, stepped forward. She was taller than I had anticipated. Her eyes, honeyed brown tint with gold from the sun. She stretches her arm out, and Perseus takes it. "Welcome, we've been expecting you."

"Thank you for welcoming us in your presence," he says, lightly kissing the top of her hand. "I hope we're not intruding on your moment of silence."

"Of course not," another nymph floated towards us. She had rose-gold hair that touched the ground. Her voice is calm yet dangerous, and her eyes take the form of a serpent. "We can sing at any given time, but when it comes to serving the son of Zeus, how could we refuse?"

"I see that you are aware of my father," he says, straightening his back and letting go of her hand.

"We are aware of much, yes," the third nymph joins in. She had crimson red hair, short, just inches from touching her shoulders. She wore a top made from rose petals, and a silk loincloth covered her waist. "As well as why you've come to us."

They reminded me of the Graeae as both parties shared similar traits but also held very different ones.

"Yes, I come to seek your help in defeating the gorgon Medusa," he explains.

"The Graeae mentioned you have the artifacts the prince needs for his quest," I step in. "Is it true?"

"You mean these artifacts," the dark-haired nymph motions to the water, where a large bubble appears on the surface, floating towards them. The bubble pops, and the artifacts remain afloat. She reaches for the bronze helmet, her nails creating a cling sound, and hands it to Perseus.

"The helmet of Hades, I presume?" He studies the helmet like he would be studying geology in class.

"Correct," the red-headed nymph confirms. "As you are well known, Hades is the lord of the underworld. This helmet is forged to hide him from any potential danger and contains powers only meant to keep him safe. However, the Thunder God had entrusted us with it. Use it wisely as it only contains so much power for those who aren't the true master of it."

"Thank you."

They nod to his gratitude.

"However, that's not the only artifact you'll receive," the serpent-eyed nymph said. From the air, she reached for a bag shielded with Athena's powers and handed it to him. "When the gorgon is defeated, keep her head in this bag, for her powers will be weakened within it."

Perseus holds the helmet and bag in his hand, walking towards the waters with his chin lifted and eyes closed.

"I'll save you, mother," he whispers.

"Zelus, if I may," a voice appears in my mind, and my attention focuses on the red-headed nymph. "I need to speak with you privately."

The other two exchanged glances with the red-haired before giving me a light smile and departing to join Perseus by the shores. My attention once again falls on her. She motions her hand to the tree behind me as a curtain of leaves springs out and shades us from the others.

"What is it?" I ask.

She lifts her hand, palm facing up. A small cloud, baseball-sized, grey with flashes of lightning surrounding it, appears.

"Zeus would like to have a word with you," she said. "It's about Perseus and his quest to defeat Medusa."

"Why me? Can't he go straight to him?"

"We both know that Perseus is in no mind to speak to his father," she claims.

It was hard to defend Perseus at this point because the nymph was right. Though at the same time, if I were in his shoes, I'd feel the same. Why do I have to get stuck in the middle of this?

"When the full moon is at its peak, journey to the west side of the lake. By the sixth oak tree, where tangerines sprout at its base, is where he'll be waiting for you," the cloud finds its way to my hand.

"How could I be certain that I am indeed speaking to the God of Thunder?" The lightning lightly stings my hand, but it tickles instead. "With all due respect, I don't trust easily, whether speaking to mortals or gods."

She chuckles.

"He told me you'd ask that," the cloud retreats, soaring high, and vanishes. "Where the cloud waits, is where he will too. You'll know it when you see him."

Before I could object—not that I had anything to say—the curtains draw open, and the tree returns to its former state. Perseus and the other two nymphs standing before us.

"Everything alright?" He asks with concern.

"I'm okay."

"Rest; you will begin your journey at dawn," the serpent-eyed nymph turns to face the mountains, and I realize the sun is setting. I will never get used to the setting skies in this century. The city could never behold the larva orange sky colliding with the scarlet red and yellow shade.

"Take shelter anywhere you like," the dark-haired nymph said as she walked into the waters. Soon, the other two followed her. Their bodies glowed, and their legs were replaced with a tail. Fins replaced their arms, and gills spawned at the side of their necks. "And don't hesitate to call when you need us."

"How can we call you when you haven't told us your names?"

"Zelus!" Perseus hushes me, and I nearly laugh at his ridiculous expression.

"What?"

"You should know their names," he said, whispering as if the nymphs couldn't hear him. "We've learned this in class."

"It's quite alright," the dark-haired nymph said. "I'm Anahita."

"Flora," the red-headed nymph follows.

"Ryn," the serpent-eyed nymph finishes.

"Thank you," I said. "For everything."

They nod before drifting into the lake, disappearing with the ripples.

Perseus found his way to my side. I lay my head on his shoulder and take a moment to acknowledge that we are getting closer to Medusa each day. He lay his cheek on my head, and we stood there for a while.