The Two Punished by Athena

" So what was the reports about? " said Azi.

" The reports were about some men who went missing from the kingdom. Even the sultan is personally searching to find out were the missing men have gone " said Anna.

" So that is why we are searching in one of the forests near the kingdom " said Azi.

" This is the forest some of the men visited and never returned. So it is our best shot to find the missing men " said Anna.

" Fortunately everyone in the kingdom are looking for the missing men " said Azi.

After a couple minutes of silence.

" So Anna. Have you heard or seen anything about Veles " said Azi.

" Veles. God of the underworld, earth, waters, fertility, trickery, cattle, pasture, snakes, bears, wolves, medicine, music and magic, but it seems now that he has taken the side of mother nature " said Ana.

" As of yet. I have not heard anything from Veles, but that does not mean that I am not on my guard " said Anna.

Azi saw something in the deep of the forest.

" Ladies. Call me crazy but I have never seen those statues before " said Azi.

" And those statues look familiar " said Anna.

As all three got closer to the statues.

Anna's heart started to beat faster and faster until she was close enough to have a close look at the statues.

" These statues look like the missing men from the kingdom " said Anna in disbelief.

" I don't like this. Only one being could do something like this " said Ana.

Suddenly from the nearby bushes came out something looking like a snake with the upper body of a woman with hair of snakes but before Anna could say anything Azi noticed something else.

" A SPIDER! " yelled Azi.

" Shut your damn mouth you little fairy " said the spider but the spider had the upper body of a woman.

Now the spider and the snake were face to face with Anna, Ana and Azi.

" If I may ask who are you two " said Anna.

" Medusa. The woman who was raped by Poseidon and cursed by Athena to become a monster. Arachne a talented young girl who won a challenged from Minerva and in a fit of rage Minerva beat Arachne with a shuttle. Arachne committed suicide but Minerva was not finished with Arachne just yet and turned Arachne into the monster in front of you " said Ana.

" WAIT. Medusa and Arachne sound like victims " said Azi.

" I know " said Ana in a sad tone.

Anna could not believe what Ana just said.

" Do not look so sad dear child " said Medusa.

" Tell me Medusa. Why is the child not affected by your curse " said Arachne.

" My curse is meant for men not women or girls " said Medusa.

" Why are you two doing this? " said Azi.

" You damn fairy have the nerve to ask us why. Did you not hear the explanation from the necklace. We were innocent and yet we were turned into monsters. We did nothing to deserve a fate this cruel " said Arachne.

" In all fairness. The original stories about Medusa says that Athena actually blessed Medusa with the ability to turn men into stone because a man (or more precise) a male god hurt Medusa but this blessing can also be seen as a curse " said Ana.

" Regardless. What has been done to you two is unforgivable and what's worse it was done by the gods you worshipped " said Anna with sadness in her voice.

" Child. We are not her for your pity or your compassion. We are here on orders " said Arachne.

Anna, Ana and Azi were all in shock.

" Orders. Who gave you orders? " said Azi.

" Don't tell me that Veles ordered you two to do this " said Anna.

Medusa and Arachne were both silent.

" So what now " said Azi.

" Now. We kill you all but I am not sure how Medusa and I are going to kill that goddess in that necklace but we will do our best " said Arachne.

Azi started to sweat but all Anna did was take a deep breath and then said " Go ahead "

Medusa and Arachne looked at Anna in shock.

" Anna you can not be serious! " said Azi but Anna did not hear Azi.

" But I want you two to leave Azi and Ana out of this and release the men you have turned into stone " said Anna.

Medusa looked at Anna and then said " Why would you willingly give yourself up like that? "

Anna looked at Medusa and Arachne (completely calm) and then said " You two have been through more than enough suffering and if my life will give you some kind of relief then I gladly give my life "

Medusa was silent.

" Then get ready to meet your God " said Arachne.

" Wait Arachne " said Medusa.

Arachne looked at Medusa and then said " Don't tell me that you feel pity for this girl "

Medusa looked at Arachne and then said " Our lives were ruined and are you really willing to ruin the life of an innocent because a God told you to " said Medusa.

Arachne was silent.

Medusa looked at Anna and then at her necklace.

" Gun Ana. You are the goddess of the sun. I ask that you burn us monsters in the flames of the sun "

" I shall do as you have asked but I will let you both know that I am the patroness of the unfortunate and that is more true this day than ever before " said Ana.

" But…. " said Anna.

" Worry not child. With my death the men shall return to normal " said Medusa.

" That is not what I meant " said Anna.

" Enough child….. please let us enjoy some kind of peace " said Arachne.

Anna started to cry.

" Anna…. " said Azi.

After a couple a seconds Medusa said " Gun Ana please proceed " and so Medusa and Arachne were burned to ash by the light of the sun while Anna was still crying.

After awhile.

The men that were turned into stone returned to normal and came back to the sultan's kingdom safe and sound.

Anna was in her room in Baibars castle…. still crying.

Baibars and Aaqil were both outside Anna's room.

" What do we do my lord " said Aaqil.

" Right now we do nothing. When Anna has let out all her sorrow that is when we do our best to cheer her up and be there for her " said Baibars.