原创英语:Medusa

Medusa, a daughter of Phrocys and Ceto, is a little bit different from her siblings, who unlike her, are immortal. Yet despite being mortal among immortals, her seductive appearance enables her to snatch hearts wherever she goes. 

Nevertheless, quite contrary to what you'd probably think about her, she remained her complete chastity, purity, and virginity because she aimed to be a priestess (女祭司) of Athena, a daughter of Zeus, goddess of war.

Athena - the Goddess of war

Chastity, purity, and virginity were indispensable requirements for being a priestess. Still, Medusa boasted them all and eventually became Athena's priestess.

She was incredibly beautiful. So beautiful that the number of people who come to visit her at the temple grew every day, to see and worship her.

And that caught the goddess Athena's attention. At first, she didn't care too much. However, things went astray when visitors comment "Medusa's hair will become more gorgeous than that of Athena's! Medusa's becoming more beautiful and attractive than Athena!."

That got on the nerves of Athena. Yet, she bore it all without anyone's knowledge. A dramatic twist is brewing...

One day, Medusa was walking along the beach alone. There, the God of the sea, Poseiden, spotted her, wondering "how on earth haven't I seen such a beautiful woman in my place."

Constant flirtation and adulation from the God of the sea didn't get in her way since all Medusa wanted was to serve Athena well and be loyal to her.

It was a shame that Athena didn't feel or appreciate her commitment and loyalty. She was blinded by her jealousy. She wanted nothing more than to let Medusa disappear.

Meanwhile, tired of being rejected, plus he had a long and personal grudge against Athena, Poseiden plotted out a way to get Medusa. These thoughts were intensified as time went by.

He chased after Medusa all the way to the temple. He took her by force and raped her on the floor while Athena, who was supposed to protect her priestess, hid behind a pillar, witnessing everything.

By the time it was over, Medusa was devastated. As supposed to getting rescue and help, Medusa got something worse than nothing - it was the punishment from Athena.

Athena considered her guilty of seducing God and bringing dishonor to the temple whereas she considered Poseiden's act was of male nature.

So she turned Medusa's hair into snakes. And anyone who gazed into Medusa's eyes will be petrified and turned into stone.

Later, she was sentenced to exile. She escaped and hid.

Subsequently, many warriors went to her hiding spot in an attempt to behead her head, but none could ever return.

However, it was Perseus who killed Medusa in the end. His reputation grew and would go down in history ever since...

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