Chapter 108 - Medusa's Lair

Arriving at the base of the giant Volcano they discovered a far grander entrance then they could have ever imagined.

Ignoring the two stone cyclopes and the small door-sized opening at the bottom center of this grandiose carving that Theoric blocked with a barrier so they could look up without fear of something coming out.

They were in awe at the majesty of it, the sheer size of the carving was magnificent. At least 500' high carved straight into the base of the volcano, a tapestry of images on both sides, split down the middle depicting many monstrous images and how they were trapped by the gods.

Theoric- "Wow, this is certainly impressive."

Anna looked up confused as well- "This is surprising, I haven't heard or read anything about this, of course, I suppose those who come to this island don't tend to leave alive, but still, this is something else, it should at least be mentioned in a book or two, and I was gifted with knowledge on most things, so it's strange this doesn't come to mind, though those images are likely the titans if I had to guess, as well as the other giant monsters of old, why it was carved out here though is the real question."

Theoric- "Let's not speculate and head in, hopefully, Medusa isn't too far gone that she isn't willing to talk, I expect being cursed and placed on an island alone isn't good for the psyche, and remember don't let go of my hand no matter what."

Taking in the seriousness of the situation, they looked at each other one last time before turning their eyes back down as he lowered the barrier and walked inside hand in hand together, surprised to find the interior near as spacious as the exterior.

Feeling safe to look back, they could see it extended all the way to the height of where the carving outside was, at least 500' of vertical space.

Anna's concerns grew as she thought more about that carving.

"Well at least I won't have to feel closed in, a terrible feeling that is," he said enjoying the space, he wasn't too keen on going into an enclosed space with who knows what waiting. He wouldn't want to start a fight and then accidentally bury himself.

Theoric wishing he could look around suddenly thought of something, cursing himself for not thinking of it sooner.

Anna already on edge asked what was wrong, concerned something important may have happened that she wasn't aware of, knowing he had a better constitution than her and could see and hear things much better than she could.

Theoric sighed- "Its nothing, I just thought of a way we could have made a special pair of glasses using mirrors so we could still look around is all."

Anna's face went slack- "Are you serious?" she asked not believing what she just heard, how could he forget something so important.

Theoric scratched the back of his awkwardly with his free hand- "Forget it, forget it, maybe we should just yell her name and see if she comes."

Anna trying to ignore what she just heard earlier, replied- "Considering the stone forest outside, I'm surprised she hasn't already attacked, maybe she is sleeping, let's head further in before we try calling out to her."

Theoric- "Why? We should just call out now."

Anna- "To be honest, I'm a bit worried about the massive carving we saw."

Theoric- "I wouldn't worry about it, Medusa has one of the strongest powers alive, even creatures as massive as a titan will fall to her gaze, I'm not certain but the gods may have to avoid it as well, kind of strange they would make something so deadly if you ask me, I wonder how Athena did it."

Anna smirked- "My mother sure is impressive huh."

Theoric- "Yeah, yeah, I'm going to call her now."

"Alright wait just a sec... Ouch," she said stubbing her toes on a rock or what looked like a rock until she bent down to get a closer look realizing it was the stone head of someone.

Theoric also began to notice the rubble of many fallen men and statues of those that still stand.- "Well, I guess some did manage to make it inside, are you ready yet?"

Anna- "Yes, I'm tired of stumbling around in this dark cave."

Theoric- "There is some light ahead, I think we're getting close to the volcano part... Anyways, here we go... Medusa! We Are Here To Help You, Medusa!" he yelled out, listening to the echoes bouncing off the walls as it traveled down every narrow passageway it passed.

They quietly waited for it to pass, listening for a response until the sounds of slithering and hissing came from all around.

Theoric grinned- "Here she comes." only to lose his grin moments later when it was clear it wasn't just an echo from one, but many as the noises increased.

"Great, just great, it sounds like an entire army is about to descend, I knew you shouldn't have yelled," Anna complained giving him an I told you so look.

"Well, shit, how many did your mother curse?" asked Theoric trying to bring Anna down a peg, not wishing to hear an I told you.

Anna paled slightly thinking about how her mother went around cursing people.

Theoric noticing apologized immediately- "Oh, Um, I'm sorry, maybe not all of them are good people... (Seeing he wasn't helping, he adjusted)... I mean these are probably all criminals, just like in society when only a few get wrongly blamed compared to the many true criminals."

Anna- "Please, just be quiet, they're almost here." she said shutting her eyes.

Realizing he was causing nothing but problems, he quickly shut his mouth and prepared himself for the conflict ahead as he enveloped them both in skin barriers, making sure to block both their visions in case they accidentally opened them. He then put another dome barrier around them so they wouldn't be directly crawled on when they arrived.

Suddenly from all around, they were swarmed by Gorgons, Snake monsters that looked similar to Medusa, but looked more monster than man, sporting full snake heads.