[1] 𝐼𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑢𝑠 - 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑦 𝐽𝑎𝑐𝑘𝑠𝑜𝑛

1.15

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"LET ARTEMIS GO," Zoë demanded.

Atlas walked closer to the chained goddess. "Perhaps you'd like to take the sky for her? Just like old times, Katniss? Be my guest."

Katniss opened her mouth to speak, but Artemis said, "No! Do not offer, Katniss! Nor you Zoë! I forbid you."

Atlas smirked. He knelt next to Artemis and tried to touch her face, but the goddess bit at him, almost taking off his fingers.

"Hoo-hoo," Atlas chuckled. "You see, daughters? Lady Artemis likes her new job. I think I will have all the Olympians take turns carrying my burden, once Lord Kronos rules again, and this is the center of our palace. It will teach those weaklings some humility."

Katniss looked at Annabeth. She was desperately trying to tell her something. She motioned her head toward Luke. But all Katniss could do was stare at her blond hair, which was now streaked with gray. Katniss's own streak had faded after a few hundred years. This one would not last nearly as long.

"From holding the sky," She muttered.

"The weight should've killed her," Thalia said.

"I don't understand," Percy said. "Why can't Artemis just let go of the sky?"

Atlas laughed. "How little you understand, young one. This is the point where the sky and the earth first met, where Ouranos and Gaia first brought forth their mighty children, the Titans. The sky still yearns to embrace the earth. Someone must hold it at bay, or else it would crush down upon this place, instantly flattening the mountain and everything within a hundred leagues. Once you have taken the burden, there is no escape." Atlas smiled at Katniss. "Unless someone else takes it from you."

He approached them, studying Thalia and Percy. "So these are the best heroes of the age, eh? Not much of a challenge."

"Fight us," Percy said. "And let's see."

"Percy," Katniss hissed. "Do not be foolish!"

Atlas laughed. "Oh, my poor love sick daughter. Fallen for a hero again? What has this one promised - Marriage? Riches?"

"I haven't promised her anything," Percy snapped. "Just respect and kindness, y'know, like a decent human being."

Atlas chuckled. "Of course, you say that now." He turned his attention to Thalia. "As for you, daughter of Zeus, it seems Luke was wrong about you."

"I wasn't wrong," Luke managed. He looked terribly weak, and he spoke every word as if it were painful. "Thalia, you still can join us. Call the Ophiotaurus. It will come to you. Look!"

He waved his hand, and next to the, a pool of water appeared: a pond ringed in black marble, big enough for the Ophiotaurus.

"Thalia, call the Ophiotaurus," Luke persisted. "And you will be more powerful than the gods."