Excerpt
Welcome To Mount Olympus

A lofty staircase extended before them. The first step was roughly hewn from the mountain rock. Each subsequent step was a little more finely
crafted than the last, until a thin layer of fog began to cover them. Looking down, Medusa could no longer see her feet. It was as if she was
walking on air. There in front of her, loomed an immense palace, etched from the finest marble. The palace was a stark white, as white as the
clouds it seemed to reside on. They stood in front of gilded double doors, reaching fifty feet into the air. The doors opened before them,
revealing a grand foyer. Once her foot hit the first step, she had a strong sense of foreboding. Suddenly afraid, she quickened her steps. Once
they crossed the entrance, it was as if she was had entered a completely different world. For all the beauty and serenity of the outside, there
was equal chaos on the inside. Ahead to the right was the great room, where the greatest commotion was coming from. There was no doubt
that a festival was occurring. There were Gods, Demigods, and even humans, everywhere. The entire place pulsed with power.

“Daughters!” The exclamation brought with it a crash of thunder. Just on the other side of the entrance to the great hall, Medusa stood
immobilized by the booming roar. Zeus turned his full attention to his daughters. “So, my dears, what is it you have brought to your sister’s
celebration?”

Aglaea stepped forward then. “We have brought our cousin, Father. Daughter of Ceto and Phorcys. Brought into the world by our own hands,
and nurtured by our mother’s breast.” Reaching behind her again, she felt for Medusa. After a second, she felt a hand intertwine with her own.
Grasping it, she pushed Medusa into the great hall. Gasping, Medusa stumbled forward into the middle of the room. She froze in her tracks,
wishing she could melt into the floor. She stood there, feeling as if all eyes were upon her. Automatically, she bent her head low. As she did, a
lock of hair escaped the hood.

Intrigued, Zeus dismounted his throne and approached her. Medusa’s stomach leapt into her throat. She kept her head lowered and her gaze
on the floor. Before long, a pair of large feet came into view. Her chest was heaving with every breath, and she hoped that she could stay
upright, at least until he lost interest. Reaching out, Zeus pulled the tie on her cloak. As he slid the hood from her head, the cloak fluttered to
the floor. Audible gasps could be heard throughout the room. Medusa even noticed the rise of Zeus’s chest. Feeling even more like a freak,
she kept her eyes glued on the ground.

Hearing the uncharacteristic silence, Poseidon turned away from the goddess he was courting and made his way towards the center of the great
hall. He could see his brother, and moved to the side to see what had caught everyone’s attention.

Zeus stared at the top of Medusa’s head, taking her all in. Taking her chin in his hand, he raised her head. At the very last moment, their eyes
met. She had the most interesting green eyes he’d ever seen. Her hair was like sunlight, and her presence was like a mother’s bosom.
Instinctively, Zeus leaned into her. Speaking lower than he intended Zeus said “What is your name, child?”

As she responded, from behind Zeus, a whisper escaped Poseidon’s lips. “……Medusa,” he spoke in wonderment.

Remembering himself, Zeus took a step back from Medusa. Looking around, he noticed everyone’s mesmerized faces. “What an entrance you
have made. It appears you will fit in quite well here. Welcome to Mount Olympus, Medusa,” With a smile, Zeus returned to his throne.

Poseidon finally cleared the fog in his mind. By Zeus! It was Medusa. How long had it been? When he had last visited Eurynome, he
remembered a lovely mop of a child, lovely, sure, but still just a child. What he saw today was no child. But one thing was for sure, it was
certainly Medusa. There was no mistaking that hair. Poseidon decided then and there that he would have her. Not just have her, he would
possess her completely. She would die for him, and she would live for him. She would beg for the chance to be his.


Nearing Zeus’ throne, Medusa felt her legs turn to water. To Zeus’s right… was Athena. She could barely contain her excitement, or her fear.
Medusa never believed this day was even possible. The one Goddess she had always worshipped, not just in deed, but in mind and heart, and
she was seconds away from meeting her. As they approached, Medusa dropped into a deep bow.

“Athena, I would like to present Medusa,” Zeus said.

Medusa gazed at her fully for the first time. Her breath caught in her throat. Athena was extremely tall. She had wide, clear, gray eyes, so sharp
they pierced. They were set in a full face punctuated by a bow mouth. Her braided hair was the color of wheat on a summer day, and coiled
around her head like a serpent. Her neck curved down to broad shoulders and sinuous arms. Her every pore exuded strength. Nearly
breathless, Medusa spoke reverently, “I apologize for not bringing you a gift, My Lady. My visit here was…unexpected.”

Athena extend a hand to her. “Come sit with me, little one.”

Medusa nearly fainted from pleasure. Fighting the urge to giggle, she climbed the stairs, and lounged on a large cushion at Athena’s side. The
Charities chose a spot together, near their father. Medusa felt like she could die at this moment, for she could never be any happier.

“Well, I arrive just a little late, and I’ve been replaced,” a voice teased. Chuckling it continued. “I have not been able to take one step without
hearing of this unbelievable beauty that has stumbled into Mount Olympus… quite literally from what I‘m told.”

Medusa felt the force coming nearer and fought back the panic that was rising. She’d always been told about the jealousy of the Gods, and
hoped beyond hope that Aphrodite did not take offense to her unexpected popularity. She felt a strand of her hair lift.

“What lovely hair. Come dear, turn around and let me look at you,” she said gently.

Shyly, Medusa turned and stood, facing Aphrodite. She was more beautiful than Medusa had ever imagined. Her eyes glittered like ocean
jewels and her lips looked like ripened plums. Medusa felt herself being drawn into her, wanting to be held by her. Aphrodite stared at Medusa
in amazement. It was as if she had been created by her own hand. After a moment, Aphrodite smiled fully at her and clapped her hands,
giggling in glee. “Oh she is absolutely ravishing! How marvelous. Well Medusa, you certainly have turned Mount Olympus upside down,” she
said. Aphrodite watched her intensely. She was such a vibrant thing. She came streaking though Mount Olympus like a shooting star. She held
the promise of fulfilled wishes, and they all wanted to grab a hold of her. Looking up, she caught Athena looking at her.

Then and there, a challenge was put forth, and accepted. Battle lines were drawn, and a silent war would ensue. Athena shot Aphrodite a
triumphant smile. War is what Athena did best. The other goddesses recognized the old rivalry, and began silently wagering on which of the
goddesses would win the worship and devotion of fair Medusa.