I do not own PJO or HOO

The Gods are Cruel

It had been a while since the last time they had gotten a rest from the endless number of demons that hunted them while they were trapped in Tartarus. And rather than sleeping while Percy took first watch, Annabeth stayed up lost in thought.

She couldn't help but wonder about the numerous monsters she and Percy had sent here. Two of which weren't very fond of her, or any of her siblings really.

Ever since Annabeth had faced (well talked would be a better word considering they didn't really fight) Arachne alone, she had been questioning what she actually knew about her mother, and well all the gods.

Annabeth had seen the tapestries in Arachne's lair, and they challenged the beauty of those that hung in Olympus. The ones made by her mother. Annabeth thought back to what she knew of the myth, she decided all was clear, but one part. Who won?

The story was written by the apparent winner, Athena. But had Athena just hidden Arachne away and rewritten the story in her favor? Had Arachne actually won?

Annabeth shook her head. It didn't matter who won, Arachne was punished for being too prideful and challenging a goddess. But still being turned into a giant mutant spider did seem like a cruel punishment for just being prideful.

It made Annabeth think about other stories humans had been punished severely by the gods. Like the Titan Prometheus for giving the humans fire. Or Pandora for opening the box, err— pithos. Or Me—

"Oh my gods…" Annabeth muttered to herself, "How could I have been so stupid!?"

"Annabeth? What wrong?" Percy asked turning to look at her.

"Medusa…"

Percy sprung to his feet, "What!? Where!? Shield your eyes Annabeth!"

"No! Not here! Well that I know of… But the myth….How could I have forgotten?"

"Annabeth what are you talking about? You didn't forget the myth, you told me it when we were twelve remember? Medusa and Poseidon were doing… stuff they really shouldn't have been doing in your mom's temple. Very disrespectful your mom hated my dad even more and punished Medusa by turning her into well the demon she is."

"But that's not it… It leaves out a major part."

"What—"

"She was raped."

"She was… raped?"

"Medusa was one of Athena's maidens that worked in her temple. She gave up marriage to devote her life to following Athena, but that didn't stop men from seeking her hand. She denied them all. That is until…"

"My dad…"

"Medusa had managed to capture the attention of Poseidon. She denied him like all the rest, but this time she didn't know just who she had denied."

"Dad no…"

"While working in the temple that night Medusa was attacked. She cried out for help to anyone, including Athena. No one came and Poseidon ravished her, there in the temple of Athena. It was only until after he was gone that Athena came."

"So wait, Athena turned her into the monster she is after she was raped? How is that her fault?"

"It isn't, but Athena couldn't do anything to Poseidon…" Annabeth trailed off lost in thought.

Medusa wasn't the only one punished. Her sisters were as well. The three were forever more known as the Gorgons. All of which were currently in Tartarus… She shivered at the thought. And they weren't the only ones that suffered cruel punishments from the gods there were many others.

"What are you thinking Annabeth?"

"The gods are cruel."

Lexie: This story is a lot more depressing than I usually write, but I read a story and it really inspired me to write this. I do plan on continuing this so if you guys know of other legends like this let me know.

Please go read this story:

Cursed, Crushed and Broken: Memento to the Monster by Midnight Sol

It's what inspired me to write this.

Also a comic by MistressMustang on DeviantArt inspired me as well and also helped me in writing this. I'll post the link to the comic on my profile.