{1} 𝐁𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐒𝐄𝐘𝐄 | p.jackson

c h a p t e r - t h i r t y - t w o

( chapter thirty-two )

in which they fight

NIA'S MIND WAS GOING A MILE A MINUTE.

Thalia went straight for Luke. The power of her shield was so great that his dragon-women bodyguards fled in a panic, dropping the golden coffin and leaving him alone. But despite his sickly appearance, Luke was still quick with his sword. He snarled like a wild animal and counterattacked. When his sword, Backbiter, met Thalia's shield, a ball of lightning erupted between them, frying the air with yellow tendrils of power.

So that was Luke taken care of.

Percy and Zoë, on the other hand, were going for the Titan Lord Atlas, like the idiots they were. Nia hoped that the two of them could hold their own until she could figure things out.

That left Nia to free Annabeth and her mother.

Tuning everything else out, Nia hurriedly searched her hunting bag for another random knife and tossed it to Annabeth. "Here!"

Annabeth gave her a look of thanks from the ground, grasped the knife, and desperately began to free her hands from their bonds.

Nia nodded after seeing Annabeth grab the knife, then turned to her mother. Grabbing her dagger, she quickly slashed Artemis's chains.

"Run, my child," she said desperately. Artemis didn't look so good from literally holding up the weight of the sky. Her forehead was beaded with metallic sweat, like quicksilver. "You must run!"

"What kind of daughter would that make me?"

"A safe one!"

Nia chose to ignore her mother's orders; you know, like an idiot. She knew that the only way for Artemis to stop holding the sky was for someone else to take her place. She also knew that her mother was the one who needed to fight Atlas. Artemis stood a better chance than any of them.

Suddenly, Percy slammed into the ground right next to Nia and Artemis. Atlas had landed a pretty bruising hit.

"Percy!" Nia rushed to his side. His eyes barely focused on her. Nia looked behind her. Atlas was taking his time coming for them. Nia could try fighting, but that would only lead her in the same condition that Percy was in. 

Their time was up. Atlas smiled evilly. "Die, little heroes." He raised his javelin, and just before Nia thought it was over...

"No!" Zoë yelled, and a volley of silver arrows sprouted from the armpit chink in Atlas's armor. 

"ARGH!" He bellowed and turned toward his daughter.

Percy struggled to his feet and turned to Artemis. "The sky. Give it to me."