gilded lily, p.jackson

012, artemis

CHAPTER TWELVE.
artemis

—— Holding up the sky was hard. After awhile, Danica became insensitive to the pain, her mind solely focusing on holding it up. She could feel her body slowly breaking under the weight of it, but she didn't care. It was like the whole world around her wasn't there, it was just her and the sky, and the agony she was in.

Her body felt like it was on fire, every particle of her on fire. Her skin was covered in rashes, much like Annabeth's one's. Her muscles felt like they were crumbling, like a stone tower. If this was what it felt like to be old, then maybe Danica should've took Artemis' offer.

She tired to of other things. Fighting with the Nike twins, Percy's annoyingly good looking face, playing cards with the Stoll brothers. Anything to take her mind off the pain, but she couldn't. The agony her body was going through was too much. Every time she tried to conjure Percy's bright sea green eyes, or his stupid cocky smile, into her mind, they would into an image of greek fire that tore down her back and exploded in her body. She was trapped in the pain of her own flesh.

Days or hours, or even weeks could pass and she wouldn't have a clue how long it had been. The pain she felt being the only thing she was aware off. It seemed to be increasing as time went on, gradually weakening her body below it. She was fighting a losing battle. A rare sight, because the only person she had ever lost to was Luke (and Clarisse that one time). Ironic considering he's why she's here. But there wasn't much she could do, except hold on and pray to any gods that were listening that Percy would arrive, and quick.

Danica had never saw another person since the day she saw Annabeth. No one was around expect her and the stupid sky. So, naturally, it startled her when she heard a voice suddenly boom; "How is our mortal guest?"

Whoever spoke wasn't in her eye sight, and she couldn't move her head to get a look. But she was almost certainly it was Atlas, the Titan who should be in her place.

Luke was suddenly beside her, she didn't even hear his steps. A concerned look was on his scarred face. Danica moved her mouth to speak, but all that came out was a straggled yelp.

"She's fading," Luke reported, watching her closely. "We must hurry."

Danica wanted to slap his face so damm hard. As if he still scared about her! He was the one who brought her here! He was the one who knew she'd save Annabeth!

There was movement to her left, but she couldn't see what was happening. Her legs started to remove as the sky slowly would crush her.

"You heard the boy," Atlas said. "Decide."

"How dare you torture a maiden like this!" A familiar female voice cried. It was the same voice she'd met a couple days ago. Artemis, the goddess herself, was here to save her and Annabeth.

"She will die soon," Luke warned. "You can save her."

It was like her mind finally kicked in. If Artemis took the weight of the sky, she would be trapped. and she had to be at the important meeting on the Winter Solstice. She could be the deciding vote in the upcoming war with Kronos. Danica couldn't let her take the sky.

Danica, however, was in no position to stop the goddess. The best she could do was make a weak groan of protest, that she was certain they couldn't even hear.

"Free my hands," Artemis ordered.

What, was she captive now? Danica found it hard to believe that Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, had been captured. Although she suppose that if she hadn't been, she would be attacking Luke and Atlas by now.

She heard the sound of breaking chains, then more rattling as Artemis appeared beside her. Her silvery yellow eyes were bright with anger as she looked at her, like she blamed herself for the way she'd been treated. Yet despite how powerful and strong she may have appeared, she also looked terrible, her hair mussed, her silver clothing ripped and her body bruised and bloodied. Danica probably looked worse.

Danica could do nothing as Artemis took the sky from her and onto her shoulders. Danica collapsed immediately, like the weight was the only thing keeping her up. She could sense Artemis struggling above her, but she couldn't move as she lay shivering at her feet.

Atlas laughed. "You are as predictable as you were east to beat, Artemis."

"You surprised me," she gasped back. "It will not happen again."

She could feel herself starting to lose consciousness as her body, finally free of that crushing weight, began to shut down to heal itself. She pushed whatever strength she had left to hear what was happening.

"Indeed it will not," Atlas was saying. "Now you are out of the way for good! I knew you could not resist helping a young maiden. That is, after all, your specialty, my dear."

"You know nothing of mercy, you swine," the goddess groaned.

"On that, we can agree. Luke, you may kill the two girls now."

"No!" Artemis yelled.

Danica knew she should have felt scared about that, or concerned at the least. But she felt nothing but the agony deep set in her body and her gradually fading consciousness.

"She-she may be useful," Luke hesitated. "Further bait. Maybe we can get her on our side, she is too powerful for her not too be."

"Bah! you truly believe that?" Atlas sneered.

"Yes, general. they will come for them i'm sure."

if Danica could feel, she would be feeling mad. Mad that she was being used as bait. After all these years, Danica was being used as bait.

"Then the Dracaenae can guard her," Atlas decided. "Assuming she does not die from her injuries, you may keep her alive until the winter solstice. After that, if our sacrifice goes as planned, her life will be meaningless. The lives of all mortals will be meaningless."

She didn't have time to reflect on that. luke picked her up carefully, carrying her as easily as he did when she were She she tried to struggle, but she felt so weak that she could barely pick up her finger. even worse, the moment she was moved, agony shot through her body, so sharp that whatever strength she had left was whipped clean and she was send spiralling into unconsciousness.