𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐌𝐀 [𝐩𝐣𝐨 𝐱 𝐡𝐩]

❝ ECHOES OF EMPTINESS ❞

|| CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN ||

❝ ECHOES OF EMPTINESS❞

LILITH COULD SEE THE FAMILY RESEMBLANCE.

Atlas had the same regal expression as Zoe, the same cold proud look in his eyes that Zoe sometimes got when she was mad, though on him it looked a thousand times more evil. He was all the things Lilith originally disliked about Zoe, with none of the good she'd come to appreciate.

"Let Artemis go," Zoe demanded.

Atlas walked closer to the chained goddess. "Perhaps you'd like to take the sky for her, then? Be my guest." He turned to Lilith, "What about you, Nightangel? Bear the weight?"

Zoe opened her mouth to speak, but Artemis said, "No! Do not offer, Zoe! Neither you, Lilith! 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, daughter? 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."

Lilith looked at Annabeth. She was desperately trying to tell her something. She motioned her head toward Luke. But all Lilith could do was stare at her. She hadn't noticed before, but something about her had
changed. Her blond hair was now streaked with gray.

"From holding the sky," Lilith whispered softly, she looked at Annabeth in awe.

Marcus stepped forward, "The weight should've killed her." He stared at his long lost friend with a sad glint in his eyes but Lilith could see a storm brewing in them. She knew how powerful Marcus could be if he had given a chance, and now he was definitely getting the chance. He was angry.

"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 Zoe and Lilith. "Unless someone else takes it from you."

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

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

"Have the gods taught you nothing? An immortal does not fight a mere mortal directly. It is beneath our dignity. I will have Luke crush you instead."

"So you're another coward," Marcus smirked and shared a high-fy with Lilith.