Today is the day. A task that was supposed to be so simple for her—just turn a creature to stone, something she had done so many times before. Yet this time, everything was different. A princess, a city, and all its people—so much depended on this being successful.

  She scanned the city below, taking in the bustling activity. Soldiers moved with practiced efficiency, checking their weapons, loading massive siege pieces, preparing for battle. A metallic scent of rotten eggs filled the air, thick with anticipation. Near the city's edge, a group of men inspected their siege weapons, wiping down the tubes and ensuring every piece of machinery was in working order. This is their backup plan if she failed. That should have been a comfort—yet it only made the anxiety in her chest press harder.

  Once, turning men to stone had been an act of survival. The warriors who came for her never questioned their right to hunt her, never considered that she would defend herself. It had been easy then—necessary. But this? This was different. Lives would be lost if she faltered or missed her chance.

  Her fingers curled into fists. I cannot falter.

  Yet beneath the determination, an old fear slithered through her. What if she lost control? What if, in the chaos, her power harmed someone unintentionally?

  She swallowed hard and forced the thought away. There was no room for doubt. Not today. Oh, and here's the procession now. Argos guards, led by Orestes, walked alongside the princess, all dressed up in a flowing gown to be sacrificed.

  Medusa took a deep breath and turned to face Jim. "I'm ready to go," she said.

  Jim nodded. "Okay. How are you feeling?"

  "More afraid now, I think." Medusa's snakes wriggled.

  Jim lifted his hands slightly, palms facing upward. "Give me your hands," he whispered. "You're going to be fine. Just stick to the plan, and it'll be over quickly."

  She placed her hands in his, and he closed his hands around them. She smiled and nodded. Despite the anxiety about what was to come, she felt secure with him. His eyes held reassurance, making her feel like she wasn't alone.

  "I won't be on the pier, but I'll be with you on the radio the entire time. All right?"

  Medusa nodded again, her snakes writhing before they turned to face the ocean. She swung their hands outward and inward, then released his grip. Jim smiled back at her.

  "I'm going," she said.

  "Okay. You can do it. You've got this. "

  She descended the stairs, entered the building, and emerged from the front before heading to the dock, where Andromeda and her guards waited.

  "Good to see you, my lady," Orestes greeted her as she approached.

  "Orestes." She bowed slightly.

  "We're thankful for what you're doing," Orestes said, fastening Andromeda to the post.

  For the first time in her life, she felt cherished. She possessed a power, and people were grateful she was on their side. They looked to her for protection.

  Andromeda trembled, her hands clasped tightly together as she tried to steady herself.

  Medusa placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. I won't let any harm come to you."

  Andromeda let out a shaky breath. "Thank you... but I'm still afraid." Her body trembled despite the warmth of the morning sun.

  Medusa turned to face her fully, her expression firm yet compassionate. "Be strong for your people. They need you now more than ever."

  Andromeda exhaled deeply, as if shedding a heavy burden. "I understand. That you are helping us brings me much peace."

  Medusa bowed and turned, and the two women stood in silence, gazing out at the vast sea beyond the edge of the dock. The water was calm for now, but everyone knew what was to come.

  A burst of static from her radio interrupted the quiet.

  "Medusa, are you there?"

  She pressed the button on her receiver. "Yes, Jim. I'm here."

  "I see something in the water—a large dark object. It's making its way to the port now."

  Medusa narrowed her eyes, focusing on the horizon. At first, it was hard to make out, but then she saw it—an enormous, dark shadow beneath the water, far in the distance. It was slowly drifting closer to the dock, disturbing the surface as it moved, its presence churning the waters like the wake of an invisible ship.

  Stolen story; please report.

  The sight was unmistakable. She knew exactly what it was.

  "I see it!" Medusa exclaimed, her voice rising with tension.

  There was a brief pause, then Jim's voice crackled through the radio, sharp and commanding.

  "Medusa, get ready! It's almost here!"

  Medusa's grip on the radio tightened, her heart racing as she kept her eyes locked on the approaching shadow. It was time.

  A massive, humanoid-shaped head slowly emerged from the depths of the water. Thick barnacles encrusted its skin; dark gray patches mottled the uncovered areas, reminiscent of a giant toad. The creature stood upright, its form so tall it dwarfed even the largest of palaces, looming over the dock like a mountain. It remained waist-deep in the water, its muscular arms clutching nearby rock outcroppings for stability as the sea swirled around it.

  The creature let out a deafening roar, a guttural sound so powerful its reverberations shook the surrounding air. As it stood in the water, she could see multiple rows of jagged, razor-sharp teeth lining both the top and bottom of its gaping mouth. Its eyes were dark, glassy, and menacing, reflecting nothing but hunger and malice.

  Medusa instinctively slithered back a bit, her confidence evaporating as the creature's full form became visible. The sense of power she had felt earlier quickly faded, replaced by a chilling realization of just how immense Cetus truly was. The towering beast loomed above the bay, its presence overwhelming—casting a shadow over the entire area.

  My God, that thing is bigger than a whale! Jim thought.

  Cetus leaned forward, its massive head dipping closer to the dock. It sniffed the air, a monstrous growl rumbling in its throat as its glossy black eyes locked on the figures below—a predator sizing up its next meal.

  It then froze, as if struck by bewilderment. The creature narrowed its eyes, studying the characters on the dock.

  Medusa's trembling fingers rose to her sunglasses. For a moment, she hesitated. An opportunity. The sunglasses stayed. Instead, her hands moved to her quiver, drawing forth an explosive-tipped arrow.

  This wasn't just any arrow. This was vengeance itself—designed for pain, for suffering, for the brutality that matched her agony. All her hatred burned, focused on a single purpose: Poseidon's favorite wouldn't just die;

  She nocked the arrow, the compound bow's cams spinning as she drew the string taut. The bowstring hummed with deadly energy. Her grip tightened, aim steady, eyes locked on the beast that had become the target for her revenge.

  Her finger began to release—

  The radio crackled to life. Jim's voice cut through her focus. "Medusa... Medusa... what are you doing? Stick to the plan!"

  The bowstring snapped forward with a sharp crack. Her arrow flew—straight, unwavering. It struck Cetus's left eye, went deep inside and exploded.

  From within, the arrow's explosion destroyed the eye, splattering dark fluid and tissue all around.

  Cetus recoiled in pain, its massive form jerking violently as it instinctively clutched at its now-empty eye socket. A deafening, bloodcurdling scream of agony filled the air. The creature's hands covered the wound, but dark, foul liquid oozed from between its fingers, trickling down its face in thick streams.

  It thrashed in the water, its enormous body writhing in agony, the pain evident in every violent movement. The sheer force of its thrashing sent waves crashing against the pier, as if the very sea itself were reacting to the creature's torment.

  Medusa shouldered her bow and lifted her glasses, fixing her gaze upon the beast. She spread her arms wide, fingers splayed, palms forward. Her snakes writhed, mouths open, hissing as they locked onto the Cetus. A surge of power rushed through her—she could feel control over the creature's very life.

  She bellowed, "Cetus! Look at me! Look at me and suffer!"

  With its remaining eye, the beast glanced down, instinctively seeking its attacker. The moment its gaze met hers, Medusa's eyes glowed brightly—then flashed.

  A terrible transformation began. The right side of the Cetus crackled and hardened, its skin discoloring to solid gray stone as barnacles dropped into the water. The petrification spread—its head froze first, then the shoulder, then the torso. Its right arm stiffened mid-motion, permanently fused to the rocky outcropping it had been using to steady itself.

  The monster was now half stone, its right side a solid, immovable mass while its left still writhed and struggled. Overcome by the weight of the petrified half, Cetus leaned to the right. It flailed helplessly, still breathing but unable to move freely. Its agonized wails thundered through the city.

  Medusa's voice was urgent as she spoke into the radio. "Jim! Sorry, it only worked halfway! Can you finish it?"

  Jim's voice groaned through the speaker. "What? Dammit, you had one job! You know what? Never mind—grab the princess and get somewhere safe! Move!"

  Before she could respond, the Cetus's massive left arm lashed out, sending a colossal wave crashing toward the port. The harbor boats rocked violently as the surge rushed closer to the docks.

  Without a moment's hesitation, she twisted her tail around the post that held Andromeda captive, pulling the princess close. Her snakes moved and arranged themselves around Andromeda's head, attempting to deflect the approaching water.

  A wave hit with terrifying force, swallowing them both in an overwhelming surge of salty water. The sea roared as it slammed against the wooden pier, pulling everything in its wake.

  Moments later, the two resurfaced, gasping for air, coughing violently as seawater surged from their lungs.

  "Are you all right?" Medusa asked, her voice strained between coughs.

  Andromeda nodded weakly, her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath.

  "Good. Let's get you to safety," Medusa said, her voice steady once more. She reached into her vest, pulled out a knife, and swiftly cut the ropes binding Andromeda to the post.

  "Princess, hold on to me tight!" Medusa instructed, her grip firm, getting ready to move. Andromeda wrapped her arms around Medusa's neck and clung to her snake-like lower body with her legs. Medusa wasted no time, side winding toward the main building with Andromeda secure in her arms.

  As she neared the entrance, Medusa saw Phineus running toward her, his eyes wide as he took in the chaos unfolding around them.

  "Phineus!" Andromeda cried, her voice filled with a mix of relief and urgency. He rushed to her side.

  "Take her to safety!" Medusa urged, her hands trembling slightly as she gently transferred the princess to Phineus arms.

  "Of course," he said, his voice steady but tinged with concern. "Let's go, my love."

  Andromeda, still shaken but trusting, nodded in return, her grip tightening around him. Phineus then turned and ran, the sounds of the city's chaos echoing around him as he raced toward the inner city and the promise of safety.