As Artemis cheerfully sang an unknown tune and walked away, Cyd was far from happy.
"Are you blaming me for this?" Athena asked, her tone somewhat apologetic as she placed a delicate flower crown on Cyd's head. "Here, take this and try not to be too upset."
Cyd twitched his mouth. "I'm not angry."
"I know you're not fond of Jason," Athena said with a resigned sigh, "but Jason must obtain the Golden Fleece. Now that Heracles is no longer on the ship, I can't be sure he'll have a chance."
"Well, they're famous heroes," Cyd said with a dismissive shrug. "If anyone can get the Golden Fleece, it should be them."
"True," Athena said, "but if you help Jason get the Golden Fleece, I will reward you." She raised a finger, her eyes twinkling. "It won't be a blessing, but it will be something of value."
"You should know that right now, all I want is a blessing," Cyd pointed to his left wrist, where the mark of the gods glowed faintly.
"I want to see your wisdom," Athena said, placing a hand on Cyd's chest. "Once I see it, I will give you the blessing you need. As the Goddess of Wisdom, I will ensure you receive what you truly deserve."
Cyd hesitated for a moment before reluctantly turning his head away. "Even if I do get the Golden Fleece, it's meant for Artemis. Jason won't get it."
"I'll make a fake one for him," Athena said with a shrug. "He won't be able to tell the difference, and whether the Fleece is real or not, he will never claim the throne."
Cyd imagined Jason's dismal future and couldn't help but smirk.
"Alright," Cyd said, covering his face in resignation. To survive in this world of gods and heroes, it was essential to keep them happy. If he played along, his mortal life might become a bit easier.
With this thought, Cyd's frustration began to fade.
At this moment, Athena's lips curled into a subtle smile. She stood on tiptoe and leaned close to Cyd, a hint of her delicate fragrance filling the air.
"Ah, a little one has come to see you. I'll leave you to it. Remember, I'm on your side."
As Athena began to slowly fade from view, Cyd tilted his head in confusion. "On my side?"
A light voice spoke from behind him, a hint of amusement in its tone. "The gods have placed their bets on you. Just as Athena chose Jason, she has chosen you as well."
"It's strange to be compared to him," Cyd said, turning around to find the small figure of Medusa behind him. He lifted her up, his eyes meeting hers. "It's been a while, Medusa. How have you been?"
"Cyd… you've grown up," Medusa said with a warm smile, marveling at how the boy she once towered over was now taller than she ever was. She gently touched his face before playfully pinching it. "You shouldn't speak ill of your sisters. They just have a hard time expressing their feelings. It was they who sent me to find you."
"You've been too forgiving of them," Cyd said, setting Medusa down on the ground. "But why did they send you to find me? Are you here to bring me back?"
"Well… I'm not entirely sure. They told me to leave the decision to myself," Medusa said nervously, clutching the black cloak her sisters had given her.
Still as indecisive as ever…
Cyd scratched his head. "How about you come with me?"
"Hmmm… Having a monster like me with you might not be the best idea," Medusa said, pulling the cloak around her to hide her face in the shadows. "I should go back."
"No," Cyd said firmly, picking her up despite her protests. "Aren't you always the one who listens to your sisters?"
"But my sisters told me to make my own decisions," Medusa said, struggling but unable to escape Cyd's gentle grasp.
"No, they wanted you to follow your own desires," Cyd said, shaking his head. "Don't you want to stay by my side?"
Medusa opened her mouth but couldn't bring herself to refuse. It wasn't just because of Hermes's blessing but a deep instinct to protect Cyd. Yet she feared that being a monster would only bring him danger.
"I don't know," Medusa finally admitted, her head hanging low.
"Then listen to me," Cyd said, pressing his forehead against hers. "You don't need to be uncertain. Just stay with me."
Cyd understood why the Gorgons had sent Medusa to him. Steno and Euryale were immortal, and even Perseus couldn't kill them. But Medusa was different. From the moment he met her, he had sensed that she had died once before and had been given a new body. No one could guarantee she would survive another death, and it was clear that the Gorgons had sent her to him because they knew she couldn't be resurrected again.
If she stayed on that island, sooner or later, a hero seeking fame would come for her. Even if she managed to fend off one hero, she couldn't keep it up forever. Eventually, a demi-god hero would come, and Medusa, devoted to protecting her sisters, would die.
"But I need to go back to take care of my sisters," Medusa said, her voice trembling.
"They won't starve."
"But what if someone—"
"I have a plan!" Cyd said through gritted teeth. "I'm sure someone has already set a trap for them."
Medusa's desire to protect her sisters was evident, even though she knew they were immortal. Cyd couldn't bear to see her die. While he couldn't prevent heroes from finding the island, there were gods who could.
"I will get the Golden Fleece!" Cyd declared with determination.
[As the Goddess of Wisdom, I will give you what you truly need.]
It was clear why Athena was the Goddess of Wisdom.
She always sets conditions that are impossible to refuse.
Cyd forced a wry smile.
"Whether it's a dragon or something else, I will get the Golden Fleece!"
He pressed his forehead against Medusa's in a show of solidarity.
"Trust me. Once I have the Golden Fleece, you won't have to worry about anything."
"Okay," Medusa said, reaching up to touch Cyd's face with a sense of hope.
In the distance, on a small island, Euryale and Steno exchanged knowing smiles.
"Take care of Medusa for us."
"Our great hero…"
.