A True Hero

Chapter Ten: Percy

I think what scared me the most was that I could see the family resemblance. He had the same regal expression and same proud look in his eyes that I'd seen in Zoe.

"Let Artemis go." Zoe demanded.

"Perhaps you should take the sky from her then?"

"No! Zoe do not offer! I forbid you!" Artemis ordered.

Atlas knelt down next to the goddess, he tried to touch her face but Artemis bit him. She almost took off his fingers.

"Woo-hoo I think Lady Artemis likes her new job. Perhaps I should have all of the Olympians carry my burden. Once Lord Kronos rules again, this will be the center of the palace. It will teach those weaklings some humanity."

When I looked at Annabeth I knew she was trying to tell me something, she kept nodding at Luke but I was clueless. Atlas took another look at us, "So these are the heroes of the ages. Pretty pathetic."

"Fight us and you'll see." I sneered.

"Have the gods taught you nothing?" he turned to Thalia, "as for you daughter of Zeus. I see Luke was wrong about you."

"I wasn't wrong" he spoke as if every word hurt.

"You're just another coward." Elena snapped.

Atlas ignored my girlfriend, I saw Elena grow more rigid. Her eye's met Lukes and she glared, her mouth made a sneer. Her body was trembling with anger. I had never seen her so angry.

"Annie are you okay?" she asked. Kindness in her voice but her expression was full blown anger.

Annabeth weakly nodded, Luke pushed her slightly.

"I don't think so Elena, she doesn't look so good."

"Neither do you. Maybe karma finally caught up with you." she retorted.

Luke snarled, "Why you little..." he didn't have the strength to come up with an insult.

I looked at Annabeth and she nodded. I gave my friends a final look and together we charged.

Thalia went straight for Luke. Elena went to Annabeth's side. I however made the stupidest decision to go after Atlas.

"Beware Percy!" Zoe warned.

I knew what she meant, Chiron had warned me a couple summers ago, Immortals are constrained by ancient laws. But a hero can go anywhere, challenge anyone as long as you have the nerve. Once I attacked, Atlas was free of those constraints and he could attack directly with all his might.

I tried to slash my sword but Ares's voice came up in my mind, when your sword needs you the most, it will fail you.

Not now! I pleaded in my head

It was no good, Riptide was near useless to me. I got hit in the chest with a javelin and was sent flying. I landed at the feet of Artemis.

"Run Boy!" she grunted.

I tried but it was no use. My sword was gone, it might reappear but I'd be dead by them. Luke and Thalia were fighting neck and neck. Elena was defending Annabeth who desperately was trying to free her hands.

Atlas stomped over to me, "Die hero."

"No!" Zoe yelled. She threw a spear and it was embedded in Atlas's armor. Be bellowed in rage, I felt Riptide in my pocket. I couldn't fight Atlas with a sword. I remembered the prophecy, the titan's curse must one withstand.

I stood up and faced Artemis.

"They sky. Give it to me."

"It will crush you."