The Trouble With Monsters [Lady Grimoire x Silentworld]

[Lady Grimoire]

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The Trouble With Monsters
The Researcher & The Medusa​

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A gentle caress of the cheek. Soft, whispered words beckoning to open her eyes. One long tail coiled around a pair of struggling legs. One moment later--a lone statue in the woods, a cave, and even occasionally, the backroom of an old house. Stone monuments of what were once flesh and blood; the telltale sign that a gorgon was nearby, and that people should be wary, for there was no cure for the medusa's curse--or was there?

It was theorised in some small circles, but nothing ever proven. More research was necessary, and there were other questions which could use answering too. Just how intelligent were they? Did they have any weaknesses? What did they prefer to use as lairs? Who were there favourite targets? Among many, many others. There was just one problem: the stakes were a bit higher when it came to this creature over others of its ilk. To become a stone statue for all eternity was hardly an appealing state, and those who did brave a gorgon's lair oft ended up that way. Only time would tell if the next researcher to step up to the plate would end up that way, or find the answers that science and understanding required.

The researcher headed to the place with the latest reports, and found the statues. They spoke to the townsfolk, and followed the trails. Some preparation, and a bit of a hike later, they found their way following a river down into a valley.

The valley's floor was covered in trees, and walking amongst them, one could spot the gorgon's handiwork here and there. Some of the older ones covered in foilage and moss, while the newest looked like they were freshly carved from a block of granite without even the slightest trace of curious animals having wandered near them. Some were frozen on the ground reaching out toward some flowers, while others froze mid-stride heading toward the mouth of the valley. It was at times serene, and at times, ominous, sometimes even both in the space of a few minutes of walking.

Little crystal growths rose up from the forest's floor here and there, coloured in shades of blue, and green. Some softly glowed, while others rested inert. The blue crystals were often clear, or reflective, while the green ones oft were dusky, or clouded. No doubt both kinds would be highly useful in magical applications, but one thing at a time. The trail of crystal and statutes soon both lead to the same place: a cave.

The entrance was a large stone archway, blocks decorated with faded, and ancient marks and symbols. A carved stone path wound its way up into the cave, flanked by more, larger crystal growths, which provided a dull illumination. Light which was usually blue, but occasionally green, and rarely, from within the cave onward, a dull red or violet. It was difficult to say just how deep, nor how many chambers were within the crystal cave, but it was certainly the right place.

Just a stone's throw inside was another statue, looking as though they were petrified simply walking inside without even the slightest chance to turn, and run. Outside, it was daylight, not long after noon. Perhaps it would be important to know the answer to at least one question: were gorgon nocturnal creatures, or would it be waiting?