Chapter 168: Medusa
"The magical signature is strong. We are about to reach the estimated target," Pal's voice rang in his ear.
"Very good. Mark it on the map. And while you're at it, display a map of the areas we've already visited."
Orin Vale was tracking a magical signature similar to that of the Olympian gods. There was a high probability that the so-called Eye of Argo was just ahead.
"Friendly identification signal detected. Signs of combat."
Pal prompted, while also marking a coordinate on the side of the map.
"Based on the combat readings, it might be Wonder Woman."
"Diana is fighting someone?"
Orin Vale thought for a moment, glanced at the map display, and saw it was more or less on the way.
"Change the navigation route, Pal. We'll drop by on our way."
"Yes, sir."
The mobile armor accelerated, leaving a trail of electricity behind as it sped through a series of islands toward the marked location.
Boom!
A tremendous impact, a wave of immense force, crashed down upon a floating island. The land cracked, the mountain peak collapsed, and lava spewed forth. A gale stirred by divine power carried the might of destruction, sweeping through everything in its path.
Wonder Woman was sent flying backward in the storm. She performed a series of somersaults in mid-air, using the floating fragments and broken wood to stabilize her balance, before using her flight ability to hover in the air.
And before her, a giant shadow nearly ten meters tall slowly emerged from the smoke and dust.
Long, venomous snakes were coiled around its head, its red eyes filled with a vicious aura. Its green skin was covered in scales, making it look like some kind of upright snake creature.
"Medusa."
Diana said in a low voice, her gaze flicking to the side.
Another snake-haired Gorgon was flying nearby, arms crossed, smiling coldly.
"Euryale is here too. In that case, I'm guessing the last of the Gorgon Sisters, Stheno, has also come?"
Diana looked around but didn't see the last one.
"Separated? How unfortunate."
"You can only afford to talk tough now, Princess. This time, there are no Amazons, no gods, only you." Euryale sneered, "There's no way you can escape from us."
"In fact, allow me to correct you," Medusa snorted. "I alone am enough. This princess and I have a score to settle."
"If you're referring to the time I cut off your snake-head, I'm sorry."
Diana drew her sword, her expression impassive.
"But you brought that upon yourself."
Medusa flew into a rage and lunged forward with a roar. She raised her right hand, sword already in it, and slashed at Diana, sending a transparent shockwave towards her.
Diana had fought her before and knew how formidable the Gorgon's petrification ability was; even the Twelve Chief Gods were wary of this move. But unlike Superman, who was caught by surprise in his first encounter, Wonder Woman already had some experience dealing with it.
As long as she was careful not to look up, not to meet her opponent's eyes or look at that eerie head of snakes, she wouldn't be petrified.
But this also meant she had to rely solely on her opponent's limb movements to judge their attacks and actions, without even a single moment of eye contact. This instantly more than doubled the difficulty of the fight.
Diana blocked with a horizontal slash, raising her sword in a high guard to catch Medusa's downward chop. The two swords clashed, sending sparks flying. The impact of their divine power shattered the boulders on the floating island beneath them.
Medusa shouted, putting even more force into her downward slash. The tip of Diana's sword trembled as she flicked it upward, her blade meeting Medusa's to deflect the chop. Another transparent ripple of force erupted. Although she successfully deflected it, Diana's arm felt slightly numb. The Gorgon wasn't just enormous in size; her divine power was also quite formidable.
Having fought Medusa before, Diana knew she was a powerful enemy. She'd had little chance of winning a one-on-one duel against her before, and now the Gorgon had a sister watching from the sidelines. If they attacked her together, her chances of survival were slim.
But the Amazons were born warriors, never fearing a fight. The stronger the opponent, the more it ignited her fighting spirit. She didn't think about the consequences, clearing her mind of everything to focus entirely on the present, unleashing her divine power and a lifetime of skill to their fullest.
Their swords clashed in a rapid-fire sequence. Both moved with superhuman reaction speeds, exchanging several blows in an instant, a flurry of clanging metal. Medusa had the advantage in power, but her swordsmanship was clearly lacking, and in a moment, she was forced onto the defensive.
She dodged a horizontal slash from Diana, then shouted and seized an opening in her stance, smashing down with her sword in a counter-attack.
Diana knew this strike was immensely powerful, an attempt to use her superior strength to break the stalemate. So, she didn't meet it head-on. Instead, she angled her sword along the outside line, using a skillful parry to redirect it. This wasn't a forced block but a redirection of force. Medusa's full-power strike missed completely. The transparent aura of her sword, infused with divine power, erupted with world-splitting force, slicing the entire island beneath them in two.
It was an exquisitely skillful move. While deflecting Medusa's attack, Diana seized the opportunity to press forward, closing the distance to Medusa's inner guard. She flew forward, thrusting her sword straight for Medusa's head.
Medusa's pupils contracted. She tried her best to dodge to the side, but the tip of the sword still carved a deep, bloody gash across her face.
But in her fury, she let out a piercing shriek. As Diana closed in, the venomous snakes on her head struck. A small snake twisted its body and shot forward like lightning, aiming to bite Diana's arm.
Diana was already lunging forward, and she was intentionally avoiding looking at her opponent's head. By the time she realized the sneak attack, it was too late. The small snake bared its sharp fangs and bit down hard on her arm.
Diana grunted, clutching her arm as she retreated. A pair of small holes had appeared on her arm, from which blood gushed out.
"It's over," Medusa hummed. "My venom has already entered your blood. Now, submit to my will and look into my eyes!"
A strong wave of dizziness washed over her. Diana felt as if the sword in her hand had become a hundred times heavier. The power in her body was draining away like running water, and a nearly irresistible, bewitching voice echoed in her muddled mind.
She felt her body slowly slipping from her control. Her eyelids opened against her will, and she began to raise her head, bit by bit, to look in Medusa's direction.
She knew that once she made eye contact with Medusa, it would all be over.
And it was only a matter of time.
There was only one choice.
Diana gritted her teeth, raised her longsword, and inverted it, pointing the tip at her own eyes.
Even Medusa couldn't help but look on with admiration at her intent.
She was going to blind herself.
And just as the princess's blade fell, its tip almost touching her eyeball...
Lightning tore through the air, appearing from the depths of the void with ripples in space-time. A silver, armored hand reached out from the flash of light, firmly grasping her wrist and stopping the princess's motion.
"There's no need for that."
A reassuring voice sounded in her ear.
"I'm here."
(end of chapter)