"You have chosen selfishly," Athena thundered. "For your betrayal, I curse you!"
Metis gasped, her hands flying to her chest. "No, please! Have mercy!"
But Athena's voice was unyielding. "From this moment, your beauty will be your curse. Anyone who looks upon you will be turned to stone. You will bring the destruction of your people, as foretold."
A sudden gale extinguished the incense, and Athena disappeared, leaving Metis crumpled on the floor, her cries echoing in the empty temple.
Hours later, Thalia found her there, her eyes red and swollen. "My Lady! What's happened?"
Metis looked up, her voice hoarse. "Athena... she cursed me. I've doomed us all."
Thalia knelt beside her, wrapping her arms around her trembling form. "No, My Lady. We'll find a way to undo this. We'll figure it out together."
The rain began to pour outside, relentless and unyielding. The villagers whispered among themselves, questioning whether the storm was a blessing or a sign of the gods' wrath.
Some made their way to the temple, seeking answers, but Thalia intercepted them at the gates. "The priestess is deep in preparation for the festival," she told them firmly. "She cannot be disturbed."
Inside, Metis locked herself away, her heart heavy with despair. She longed for Sophos, for his comforting presence, but she feared the worst. Would he see her as a monster now?
Thalia sat outside her door, refusing to leave her side. "We'll get through this, My Lady," she called softly. "You're stronger than you think."
Metis, staring out at the storm, whispered to herself, "I must be. For my people. For Sophos. I will not let this curse define me."
But as the thunder rumbled in the distance, she couldn't shake the fear that her sacrifice had already sealed their fate.
***************"
Sophos approached the grand temple of Poseidon, its towering columns casting long shadows under the midday sun. The scent of salt lingered in the air, and the rhythmic crashing of waves against the cliffs below filled the silence. As he stepped closer, the temple doors groaned open, and a figure emerged—a messenger of his father.
"Lord Sophos," the messenger said with a bow, "your father awaits you inside."
Sophos nodded, his jaw tightening. He followed the messenger through the marble corridors, their footsteps echoing in the cavernous space. They stopped before a shimmering fountain, the water within reflecting a brilliant light. The fountain was guarded by a massive statue of Poseidon's trident, its presence both majestic and imposing.
"Come closer, my son," a deep, resonant voice called.
Sophos froze, his heart racing. The voice of his father, the god Poseidon, filled the air as if the walls themselves were speaking.
"Father," Sophos replied, bowing his head. "You summoned me?"
The water in the fountain rippled, and an image of Poseidon appeared within its depths, his trident held aloft. "Yes, my son. I have an important task for you, one that you must carry out during the festival of Athena."
Sophos felt a knot form in his stomach. "What is this task, Father?"
Poseidon's gaze grew stern. "Metis, the priestess of Athena, has defied the gods. She has broken sacred rules, and the council has decreed her punishment."
Sophos's chest tightened. "What punishment? What has she done to deserve this?"
"That is not for you to question," Poseidon replied sharply. "The gods are not to be defied, and mortals who challenge their will must face the consequences. Your role is clear: you will put an end to Metis on the day of the festival."
Sophos staggered back as if struck. "No!... no, Father, there must be another way! Metis is not like the others—she is kind, devoted! Whatever rule she broke, it cannot merit this."
Poseidon's image loomed larger. "You dare to question me? She has brought this upon herself, and you, as my son, must carry out this divine justice. Refuse, and you not only fail your duty, but you shame me."
Sophos clenched his fists, his mind spinning. "But I... I love her," he whispered, his voice breaking.
Poseidon's tone softened but remained firm. "Love cannot stand against the will of the gods. You must choose, Sophos—fulfill your duty as my son or bear the wrath of Olympus yourself."
The fountain stilled, and Poseidon's image vanished, leaving Sophos alone with the crushing weight of his task.
********************
The day of the Panathenaia festival arrived, and Athens was alive with celebration. The streets were crowded with villagers dressed in their finest robes, carrying offerings of fruit, jewels, and flowers to honor Athena. Laughter and music echoed through the air, but beneath the joyous façade, Metis felt an unshakable dread.
From the shadows of the temple, she watched the procession, her heart pounding. She could feel the curse like a storm brewing inside her, and she knew she had to remain unseen.
But then she saw him. Sophos stood at the head of the procession, his eyes scanning the crowds. When their gazes met, her breath caught. For a moment, the world seemed to fall away, and all that existed was him.
But something was different. His expression was strained, as if he carried a burden too heavy to bear.
The festival was nearing its peak when a sudden hush fell over the crowd. A young girl, no older than ten, had wandered too close to the temple's shadows.She froze, her eyes locking onto Metis. Metis was already transforming, snakes grew on her head instead of hairs.
"No!" Metis shouted, stepping back, but it was too late.
The girl's body began to stiffen, her skin paling to gray. Within moments, she was a statue, frozen in a moment of innocent wonder.
The girl's parents screamed, their cries piercing the air. Chaos erupted as villagers scrambled to escape the temple's vicinity.
Metis sank to her knees, horror etched into her face. "What have I done?" she whispered.
"Metis!" a familiar voice boomed.
She looked up to see Sophos standing before her, his face a mask of fury.
"You've brought this upon us," he said coldly. "The curse has turned you into a monster. The gods were right to punish you."
Tears streamed down her face. "Sophos, please... I didn't mean for this to happen! I never wanted to hurt anyone."
His jaw tightened. "You defied the gods, Metis. And now, it's my duty to end this."
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "You? No... no, you can't, I thought you loved me."
"I must," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "If I don't, the gods will destroy us all."
Metis rose to her feet, her despair turning to defiance. "If you think I'll let you kill me without a fight, you're wrong."
Sophos's expression darkened. "Then so be it."
The air between them crackled with energy as they clashed. Metis summoned her power, sending a wave of force toward Sophos, but he countered with a surge of divine strength.
"You can't win," he said through gritted teeth.
"Maybe not," she replied, her voice breaking. "But I won't let you destroy me."
The battle raged on, their attacks shaking the temple to its foundations. Metis fought with desperation, but Sophos's strength was overwhelming.
As she stumbled backward, Sophos raised his weapon, preparing to strike the final blow.
"Stop!" she cried. "Please, Sophos. This isn't you. You're not like them!"
He hesitated, his weapon trembling in his hand. "I don't want to do this," he admitted, his voice raw with anguish. "But I have no choice."
"Yes, you do," she said, stepping closer. "You can choose me. You can defy them, just as I did."
The temple fell silent. For a moment, neither moved.
Finally, Sophos lowered his weapon. "I can't lose you," he said, his voice barely a whisper.
Metis's tears fell freely as she reached for his hand. "Then let's find another way. Together."
As they stood amidst the ruins of the temple, the curse seemed to waver, its power dimming under the strength of their bond.
For the first time in days, Metis felt a glimmer of hope. "We'll fight this," she said, her voice steady. "We'll fight them all."
And with that, they turned to face whatever lay ahead, united against the wrath of the gods.