Raezel had found something in Velmor he never thought possible—a sense of belonging.
The people were still cautious, still wary. But it was different here. They did not bow in fear, trembling like lesser beings before a deity. They did not cast him out for his bloodline, nor did they try to mold him into a weapon.
They simply... accepted him.
But today, the air shifted.
A presence unlike any other descended upon Velmor's palace, heavy and suffocating, like the weight of an entire myth pressing down on reality itself.
Medusa had arrived.
The throne hall fell into an eerie silence as the Queen of Terror entered. Her every step echoed through the chamber, the marble floor seemingly trembling beneath her. King Velmor, his advisors, the guards—every single one of them stiffened, barely daring to breathe.
Reazel, standing near the center, turned to face his mother.
Medusa's eyes, golden and piercing, locked onto her son. "It is time to leave, my son"
Her voice was calm, but it left no room for argument. It was not a request. It was a command.
Reazel exhaled slowly, his hands clenching at his sides. "No."
A flicker of amusement danced across Medusa's face, but only for a moment. "No?"
Reazel met her gaze, unwavering. "I don't want to leave."
Silence.
The court members looked at each other, then at the King, who looked like he was about to faint.
Medusa's expression didn't change, but her presence grew heavier. "Why should I accept this?"
Before Reazel could speak, Nyra stepped forward.
"Because he doesn't need to."
All eyes turned to her.
The King's mouth fell open. The advisors whispered furiously amongst themselves. Nihaga raised a brow, clearly amused.
Nyra, however, was completely unfazed by the legendary terror standing before her.
She folded her arms and smirked. "He's the son of Medusa. Isn't that enough? Doesn't that give him the privilege to do whatever he wants, without having to justify himself to anyone?"
A deadly silence followed.
The King turned to Nihaga, whispering in panic, "Did she just—?"
Nihaga grinned. "Oh, she did."
Medusa tilted her head slightly, her golden eyes narrowing. "You think privilege comes without expectation? Without consequences?"
Nyra shrugged. "I think Reazel has been forced into expectations his entire life. But what if he doesn't want to live as a deity? What if he just wants to be... normal?"
Medusa's lips curled into something between amusement and irritation. "Normal!!!? Do you think mortal normal is an option for him? For any of my blood?"
Nyra took a step closer.
"Everywhere he goes, people either fear him or envy him. Giants, gods, mortals—they all either see him as a threat. Nobody has ever treated him like an equal, like a person. But here? Here, he isn't feared. He isn't worshipped. He's just... Reazel."
Medusa's gaze darkened. "And you believe somehow that just changed who he is?"
Nyra smirked. "I believe he should decide what he is. Not his bloodline. Not fear. Not fate. Not even his mother—you."
The tension in the air was immense.
The King, now sweating bullets, turned to Nihaga. "She's insane."
Nihaga chuckled. "She's got guts."
The advisors, meanwhile, whispered among themselves:
"Did she really just argue with Medusa?"
"She must have a death wish."
"Or she's just stupid."
"Or both."
Medusa exhaled, slow and deliberate. Then she turned to Reazel. "And you, my son? Would you choose the same?"
Reazel looked at his mother, then at Nyra. He smiled—soft but certain, then nodded in Yes.
For a long moment, Medusa said nothing. Then, to the shock of everyone in the room—she laughed.
It was quiet, brief, but unmistakable.
The King nearly fell out of his throne. "SHE LAUGHED?"
Nihaga smirked.
Medusa sighed, shaking her head. "You have always been like this, My son." She glanced at Nyra. "And it seems you have found a company that suits you."
Medusa turned away, her presence still looming over the court. "Very well. You can live here in Velmor for a bit longer, I will not take you this time. "
The tension broke. The King nearly collapsed with relief. The advisors wiped sweat from their brows.
Medusa, however, wasn't finished.
She looked at Nyra. "I let my son, Reazel live in Velmor for a bit longer, but if he gets hurt by any means—I will return and burn Velmor to ashes."
Nyra smirked. "Deal."
Then—suddenly—two figures emerged from behind the medusa.
Medusa's other children.
Nyssa and Krios.
Nyssa, the older of the two, leaned against Medusa's shoulder, studying Nyra. "You're bold."
Krios, the younger, grinned. "I like her boldness"
Nyra raised a brow. "You guys are...?"
Nyssa smirked. "Elder sister of your foolish friend."
Krios. "I am the middle one"
Krios nudged Reazel. "You found yourself an interesting one, younger brother."
Reazel chuckled. "I know."
The King, still overwhelmed, took a deep breath and did the only thing he could think of—he requested Medusa to stay for dinner.
Medusa regarded him with amusement but did not decline. "Very well. Let us see if Velmor's hospitality is as bold as its people."
And with that, the most unexpected dinner in Velmor's history was about to begin.