Jim, Perseus, Medusa, and Veronica climbed the steps and entered the temple. Towering columns dominated the view, and this temple's lavish decorations appeared even more abundant than those adorning Athena's. Massive statues of sea creatures stood proudly on vibrant pedestals. Expansive pots filled with colorful flowers were scattered throughout the space, and above them, hanging baskets overflowing with ferns swayed gently.

  The air hung thick with the scents of freshly lit incense and fragrant blooms. A faint murmur of desperate, worshipful pleas drifted from a chamber beyond. As the group pushed into the main hall, they found King Polydectes kneeling before an imposing statue of Poseidon that nearly touched the ceiling.

  Seeing the group approach, Polydectes stood up to face them, holding Dana? tightly by the arm. His guards surrounded him, weapons at the ready. Jim stopped at the foot of the steps leading to the statue.

  "Not another step!" King Polydectes bellowed, his voice cutting through the tense air. Jim continued up the steps, his pace unhurried but determined, his pistol firmly gripped in his right hand. The guards in front of him raised their shields, spears angled threateningly toward him—a wall of sharp tips between him and the king.

  Veronica lifted her rifle and aimed it squarely at the king.

  "Stop, or she dies!" Polydectes shouted, his voice frantic. In a swift motion, he put an arm around Dana? and drew a knife from the captain's scabbard, pressing it to her throat. The blade gleamed menacingly in the dim light.

  Jim froze on the spot, raising an arm behind him—signaling for the squad to stop. His voice cut through the silence, calm yet filled with a dangerous authority. "Your Majesty, please, you don't want to do that."

  Medusa's eyes widened as she watched the scene unfold. She had never witnessed a hostage situation before, and the silence of the moment was almost suffocating. Jim had a perfect shot at Polydectes—he could end this right now—but he stood still, his expression unwavering. Why? Her mind raced. Polydectes had to know that if he killed Dana?, he would be sealing his own fate.

  "Listen to me, Your Majesty," Jim said, his tone measured, his voice carrying the weight of finality. "No more blood needs to be shed. Just release Dana?, and we'll all leave."

  "Please, let my mother go." Perseus said.

  "I don't have a clear shot," Veronica whispered, her voice strained but steady.

  "Wait for the right moment," Jim whispered back, never taking his eyes off the king. Time was running out; his patience was his defense.

  "You! Drop your weapon!" the king shouted, pointing at Jim.

  Jim moved deliberately as he placed his gun on the cold stone floor. The metal clinked softly as the gun hit the floor of the temple. He straightened slowly, raising his hands in surrender. His voice was steady, but there was an undeniable edge to it.

  "Listen, Your Majesty," he said, "Nobody's coming to help you. Not a deity, not an army. It's just us. This can all be over if you simply let her go."

  The king pushed the knife a bit more into Dana?'s throat. His eyes burned with madness, flickering beneath his rage. "No!" he spat, his voice raw with obsession. "She is mine!"

  Jim took a slow, measured step forward.

  "Stay where you are!" the king shrieked, his hand jerking. The blade pressed deeper into Dana?'s skin, and a thin crimson line crept across her throat. She let out a panicked cry, her body tense with fear.

  "Mother!" Perseus's voice rang out as he tensed, his body coiling with barely restrained energy.

  Medusa leaned in, her voice a whisper only Jim could hear. "We're running out of time. Poseidon is probably on his way here. Let me handle this—I can free her."

  Jim's jaw clenched. He turned his head slightly, just enough to see the determination in Medusa's gaze.

  "You sure?" he murmured.

  "Yes. It will be over quickly," she replied, her tone firm, resolved.

  Jim flicked his gaze between the king, Dana?, and Medusa. Every second felt stretched. He exhaled sharply, then gave a slight nod.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  "Okay," he said, stepping aside. "Go ahead."

  Medusa met his eyes and gave the smallest of smiles—a silent promise.

  "Thank you," she whispered.

  Then she turned toward the king, her expression darkening, power simmering beneath her skin. The moment had come.

  Medusa nodded at Dana?, who gave a slight, acknowledging nod before squeezing her eyes shut. Seeing this, Medusa swiftly removed her glasses and fixed her gaze directly on King Polydectes. In a heartbeat, he stared back—eyes locking with hers in open defiance. Then his expression widened, confusion giving way to horror as realization dawned.

  In an instant, her vision blurred with a flash of light, followed by the distinct crackling sound as Polydectes's face began to turn to stone. His entire body stiffened, eventually becoming a lifeless statue—still holding the knife against Dana?'s throat, though now completely motionless.

  Medusa quickly slid her glasses back on and noticed that the two guards beside him had also been petrified.

  Jim let out a deep sigh of relief, picked up his pistol, and holstered it. Veronica flipped the safety on her rifle and lowered it.

  Dana?, struggling in the stone grip, called out, "Help! I'm stuck!"

  Perseus hurried up the steps, attempting to pry the king's stone hands off her, but they were frozen solid, the knife still pressing into her neck.

  "Torres! Help me get her out of there. Use your rifle!" Jim ordered.

  Veronica darted up the stairs, quickly flipping her rifle around and using the butt of the stock to strike at the king's arm.

  "Right here at the elbow," Jim instructed.

  Veronica swung with all her strength, driving the rifle's stock into the statue's elbow. A hollow thud echoed, but the stone remained unyielding. Gritting her teeth, she struck again. And again. At last, a thin crack splintered across the surface.

  "You're almost there! Keep going!" Jim urged.

  Fueled by determination, Veronica redoubled her efforts. Blow after blow, the crack widened until, with a final, ferocious swing, she charged forward and struck with all her might.

  The statue's arm shattered, stone fragments clattering to the ground.

  Dana? was free.

  Perseus rushed forward, embracing his mother as relief washed over them both.

  Dana? turned to the small group who had freed her, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you all," she said, then met Medusa's gaze. "Especially you. I have heard the name Medusa, but only in the same breath as monster and curse. I never would have thought Perseus capable of convincing you to help me."

  Medusa offered a small, knowing smile. "You're welcome. I think we all know who the monster really is, or was."

  Jim stepped in and made quick introductions before continuing, "We can talk more later. Now that this is over, how about we all get the hell out of here?" he asked.

  "Yes, let's leave. Quickly," Medusa responded.

  The group ran out the front of the temple the same way they entered. The Apache was still circling low overhead, the sound of its engines roaring whenever it came near. Crows and vultures had gathered at the former battle site, picking at the bloody remains scattered everywhere. Chunks of armor, holed-up shields, twisted helmets and broken weapons lay about. Occasionally, heads peeked out onto the field from behind doors and collapsed walls, but not a soul dared step into the open.

  Instead of the palace, the group dashed toward the Black Hawk, which was positioned close to the entrance, its rotors spinning and ready for takeoff. The crew chief met Jim as the group approached.

  "Good to see you. How'd it go?" he asked.

  "Mission accomplished," Jim replied. "We have one more to take back to Argos."

  "Great! Central's gonna be pleased to hear all this. Come on, let's get everyone aboard and get the hell outta Dodge!"

  "Wait." Perseus's voice stopped them all as Dana? approached and took her place beside him.

  Jim turned, eyebrows raised. "What is it?"

  "We're not going."

  "What do you mean you're not going?" Jim's tone sharpened. "Why not?"

  Perseus looked out over the island, then back at Jim. "Someone needs to rebuild Seriphos. The king is dead, the army's in shambles, and the people need to know someone will protect them. I'm the son of Zeus, and I grew up here—might as well be me."

  Jim studied him, hands settling on his hips. "You're sure about this?"

  "I am. I'll grow a beard, play the part of king for a while. When palace life gets too hard, I can always slip away to go fishing with my foster father." Perseus smiled slightly. "Simple as that."

  Jim glanced at Dana?, who moved closer to her son and wrapped an arm around him in quiet support. When he looked to Medusa, she simply shrugged.

  "All right then." Jim turned to the crew chief. "Let Central know we have a change of plans—we're leaving two behind."

  The crew chief blinked in confusion. "Sir?"

  "Perseus and Dana? are staying in Seriphos."

  "Understood, sir. Relayi?ng that now." The man stepped away and raised his radio.

  Perseus unbuckled his scabbard as he spoke. "One last thing, Jim."

  "Yes?"

  "Take this." He extended the sword, complete in its scabbard. "I appreciate everything you've done for us, but I won't need it anymore."

  Jim hesitated. "You sure? That's a mighty fine sword."

  "There are plenty of weapons on the island for a king to use." Perseus pressed it into his hands.

  Jim accepted the sword, partially unsheathed it and watched as it glowed with its familiar blue light. He closed it, looked up at Perseus. "Thank you. Take care of your mom, and yourself, Perseus."

  "You too." Perseus turned to face Medusa, his expression growing serious. "Before you go—I owe you an apology. When I tried to take your head, I was only thinking of myself and what I wanted. I'm sorry for that." He paused, holding her gaze. "You didn't have to save her, but you did. Thank you."

  The serpents around Medusa's face stirred restlessly as she weighed his words. After a moment, she replied, "It's forgiven. Your mother is free now, and that's what matters." A slight smile touched the corner of her mouth. "I hope you both find happiness here, Your Majesty."

  Perseus chuckled as they grasped forearms, then turned with his mother and walked away toward their new life.

  Jim and Medusa climbed aboard the helicopter. As it lifted off and banked toward the horizon, they left behind an island that had found its unexpected king.