Image credit: Chloe

        Once, there was a girl named Daphne. Daphne had the power of foresight, even more powerful than the Oracle in Delphi. Of course, such power couldn’t escape the gods’ notice. One day, as she was carousing in the woods, Zeus—in the form of an eagle—swooped down and plucked out Daphne’s eyes, rendering the girl without sight.

        When Daphne demanded her eyes back, Zeus offered her a deal. If she could bring him the head of the dreaded Medusa, he would grant Daphne her request. So, she trained to become stronger. Daphne would embark on a quest to seek out the Gorgon, take her head, and reclaim what’s rightfully hers. Or so she thought.

***

        Daphne traced a hand along the face of the stone statue. Medusa must be close. She stomped on the ground, sensing the vibrations within the earth with her bare feet. Currently, she was standing in a narrow passageway. There was a wide and open cavern at approximately 50 steps forward, where a solitary figure was lying on the ground, snoring softly. Daphne unsheathed her sword and tiptoed towards the target.

        “Ugh...”

        Daphne stopped dead in her tracks. Had she been discovered? Holding her ground, Daphne perked up her ears, listening for movements from the monster. There was a faint hissing, reminiscent of a snake's, as Medusa tossed and turned on the ground before the snoring continued.

        Assured that Medusa was only talking in her sleep, Daphne crept towards the slumbering figure. Her hands were shaking, and cold sweat broke upon her brows. It was difficult to contain her rising excitement and nervousness. Her journey was almost at an end, and neither the gods above nor spawns of the deepest pit of Tartarus could stop her pursuit.

         Finally, she could go home again.

        “Your eyes. They are… missing.”

        Daphne’s hand stilled; cheeks flushed in embarrassment. In all her excitement, she failed to notice that the snoring had stopped, replaced by rhythmical breathing. Medusa let out a loud yawn, the snakes on her head echoing in response. She seemed relaxed, not the slightest bit perturbed by the fact that someone was pointing a sword at her. Either she was an idiot, or she was so confident in her abilities that she did not perceive this as a threat.

        Stealth was out of the question. The only way forward was to face the monster head-on. Daphne switched into a defensive stance, shield guarding her torso closely, muscles taut and ready.

        Medusa scoffed. She stood, feet plopping wetly across the mossy cave floor, closing in.

        “Please, a measly sword and shoddy shield against the likes of me? Stop making a fool of yourself and leave this instant.”

        Daphne drew back a few steps, fingers tightening around the hilt of her sword. She did not search far and wide to find this place, just to have her honour insulted right now.

        “Prepare to meet your fate, Medusa. In the name of Zeus, I shall have your head.”

        “For goodness’ sake,” Medusa drawled out a long, deep sigh. Daphne could almost imagine her rubbing her temples to stave off an impending headache. “Not that oaf again. If he wants me dead so badly, he should have the balls to—”

        Without letting Medusa finish her sentence, Daphne moved. It was easy to gauge the position of Medusa. Before the attack landed, she sensed Medusa shifting her foot to sidestep the slashing sword. Daphne guarded her left flank at once. And sure enough, something collided with the wooden shield, the impact sending a wave of numbness along her arm and splinters flying everywhere. Daphne gritted her teeth through the pain, and with a grunt, rammed into Medusa with the shield.

        Medusa yelped in surprise, skidding to a stop when her back crashed against the cave wall. She chuckled, the sound soft and melodic, completely at odds with her monstrous nature. If Daphne did not know better, she could almost mistake the Gorgon for some charming wood nymph, luring her in with that sweet and dulcet voice.

        “I really should not have underestimated your fighting abilities due to the lack of certain body parts.”

        Daphne twirled her sword in the air haphazardly, the corner of her mouth curling up into a muted smile. It was almost comical how often people underestimated her. Still holding her shield close, Daphne rushed forward again, feinting a jab to the right, before changing direction mid-swing and swiped at Medusa’s midriff. The sword cut through the air with a whoosh, ricocheting as it hit the cave wall.

        “What compels you to hate me so, to want me dead so badly?” Medusa’s voice sounded from behind, sending a chill down Daphne’s spine.

        She missed. And worst of all, Medusa had moved so soundlessly and quickly that her movements were imperceptible.

        “I harbour no hatred for you.” Daphne whirled around to face the Gorgon. It was best to keep Medusa talking if she wanted the fight in her favour. “But your death will help me reclaim the life I lost from the gods. I’m sorry.”

        “The gods?” Medusa tutted, tone dripped with disappointment.

        Before Daphne knew it, a cold scaly hand had wrapped itself around her neck, claws digging painfully into her flesh. Daphne was lifted into the air, legs flailing around helplessly, too stunned to even raise her sword in retaliation. Medusa slammed her onto the ground, hard enough to knock the wind out of her. Another clawed hand danced across Daphne’s cheeks, featherlight, drawing some indiscernible pattern that only Medusa was privy to.

        “Let me tell you a secret, little human.”

        Her face was close enough for the scent of wet rotten leaves to drift into Daphne's nose. She felt a strange pang in her chest. It smelled just like her small hut by the river. Like home.

        “The gods don’t care for us. They hide, safe inside their palaces, even if mortals cry out for help in desperation. Then on a whim, they intervened, just to play some cruel tricks on us. I am the living example of the actions of these sadistic dastards.”

        “What’s your point?”

        “If you kill me, would it be out of your own volition, or are you simply treading down a path they mapped out for you?”

        The pressure around Daphne’s neck disappeared, as Medusa sounded further and further away, voice dropping into a whisper.

        “Don’t be a pawn to their schemes. Think. What is it that you truly wish for?”

        Daphne stood, rubbing absent-mindedly at her neck. She could feel Medusa’s gaze on her, regarding her every move. Though the Gorgon had sat down on a rock 15 paces away, Daphne had no doubt she could close that distance in the blink of an eye, should Daphne make any sudden movements.

        What do I wish for? Something I have never asked myself before.

        Daphne sighed.

        I wish…to just put this journey behind me and go back home. Those eyes have brought me nothing but trouble ever since I was born. Do I truly want the gods’ attention back in my life once more?

        Her raised sword arm gradually dropped, until it hung limply at her sides.

        “You always talk this much with people who come to kill you?”

        “No.” There was that gorgeous laugh again.

        “They usually don’t stay unpetrified enough for me to get a word in. I’ll admit it has been a rather lonely existence.”

        A brief pause, and uncertainty began creeping into her voice.

        “You are the first person I’ve talked to in years. It’s…nice.”

        Daphne snickered and shook her head, fingers pinching her nose bridge. This whole situation was utterly ridiculous. One moment they were trying to kill each other, the next they were chatting like nothing happened. The Fates really worked in mysterious ways.

        Ah, to Tartarus with it.

        Daphne stuck her sword onto the cave ground with a thud, smiling at the way Medusa let out a small gasp in surprise. For someone that is considered a monster, Medusa’s quirks did seem particularly human. Daphne sat on the ground across Medusa, propping her chin against the fringes of her shield.

        Then, the two of them talked all night long.

***

        And so concludes the quest of Daphne the Blind, who set out with a single-minded goal of reclaiming her eyes but found something unexpected along the way. Since that day, Daphne began paying regular visits to the cave where Medusa resided. Every time, the Gorgon welcomed Daphne with open arms, for she was the only human Medusa was able to talk to, and genuinely liked. In time, their bond blossomed. At least, that was until the hands of Fates severed it into pieces; a cruel joke played by the gods that arrived in the form of Perseus.

        But that is a tale for another time now, isn’t it?

***

Author Bio: Emms is a third-year student majoring in Earth System Science. Of all the fiction genres, fantasy is her favourite. Mythologies from different cultures, whether it is Greek, Norse, or Celtic, are pretty much her “thing”. Some book series she likes include The Witcher and The Lord of the Rings (which is a no-brainer). Apart from books, Emms also loves to dabble in fantasy role-playing video games such as Dragon Age, Baldur’s Gate, and The Witcher (again).