Percy Jackson and the Depths of Tartarus
Chapter Twelve: A Goddess in Chains
Percy's POV
If you had to hold up the sky that weighed around, say, a zillion kilos, for eternity, would you get bored? Hades, I would – if I weren't feeling like I was going to get squished and die.
As my group and I crouched on a ledge (Cassandra had catapulted us up here from the water) off a cliff (where Luke had fallen), we observed our surroundings (like, as in, peeking over the cliff edge).
Surprisingly, the ruins of Mount Othrys, the mountain fortress, were there. But, with a chill, I saw it slowly moving, in a tornado like movement; some of the rocks were even caught in the air.
I glanced at the others. Annabeth had already put on the cap and gone to investigate. I wondered how Thalia would manage, being so high off the ground, but she looked very pointedly away from the ledge. Cassandra leaned against the cliff wall tiredly, but still paid attention.
"I don't suppose we have a plan?" Silenus was asking weakly.
Thalia hefted Aegis, and shrugged. I noticed Atlas' nose begin to twitch. Repeatedly.
She gestured to him, "I reckon Atlas can't really provide much of an offense right now, so don't focus on him a lot."
Cassandra frowned, "You sound like you're expecting a fight, or something."
Thalia nodded grimly, "I am. In a situation like this, you have to expect the worst."
I blinked, rather confused, "And what is the situation? We just have to wait for Annabeth to tell us where Mr. D's thyrsus is, right?"
She rolled her eyes, "Percy, you said it yourself that Kronos is back," - The other two gasped, but Thalia pressed on, "Most likely he is building an army in secret. Soon, he might force someone else to hold up the sky for Atlas, and then he'll have his General back." I glanced back at Atlas, just as he started to growl angrily, and tried, very awkwardly, to scratch his nose. Considering his hands were occupied, I wondered how he was going to achieve it.
Silenus said, still a little shocked, "Then where does Kronos keep his army? It has to be near here somewhere, at least."
I was about to answer, but I suddenly felt a small tug on my sleeve. I looked around to see Annabeth taking of her cap. Horror was etched in her face as she looked around with wild eyes.
"Ruins… illusion!" She gasped out, panting slightly. I figured she must've ran back here.
I stared at her, surprised, "What?" I asked.
She slowly steadied her breathing, and answered, "Those ruins of Mount Othrys - they aren't real."
Thalia frowned, "What do you mean?"
Annabeth said, "I investigated around the place, then went inside. As soon as I got into the barrier, I saw the fortress completely restored! And a huge army was just – waiting!"
Silenus gawked. I said, "We're screwed."
Cassandra told us, "If the ruins were an illusion… what about Atlas?"
Thalia instantly stood, and loosed an arrow at the Titan. It sped through his head. Like, literally through his head. Without damaging it.
It took a few seconds for me to register that information.
Finally, Annabeth exclaimed, "I'm-impossible! If he's an illusion, then who is holding up the sky?"
As if in answer to her question, Atlas' form shimmered, and shrunk down into a smaller, feminine form. She looked about ten or 11, and had shimmering silver hair, and was wearing a royal-like white gown.
Her expression was pained, and ichor leaked from several scratches on her body.
"Lucky you didn't hit her." Silenus muttered.
The girl looked up wearily, sensing the illusion on her breaking. She smiled softly when she spotted our frozen form. "Approach, and tell me your allegiance, young ones." Her voice was like velvet.
Hesitantly, we climbed the ledge, and went towards her, but stopped at a cautious distance. I fingered Riptide warily.
Annabeth, after scrutinizing the girl (goddess?) intently, gasped, and said, "You're the Moon goddess before Artemis: Selene!"
Selene nodded, "Yes, child, I am."
"I thought you were, well, faded?" I said, bemused.
She answered, "I hid from this world, wishing to remain neutral in the last two wars."
Silenus asked, "How long have you been here?"
As soon as I heard her answer, I almost choked on my own spit.
"Thirty years."
"Thirty years?" Thalia exclaimed, "How have the gods not noticed?"
She said simply, seemingly not worried, "Kronos. With the help of Mnemosyne."
I grunted, annoyed, "Right after I said to honour them?"
Annabeth rolled her eyes, "Mnemosyne is a Titaness. You only said to acknowledge the minor gods, Seaweed Brain."
My nose twitched as I looked at her. "You called me Seaweed Brain." My voice had a teasing tone underlining it. To my amusement, she blushed.
Selene cut in before Annabeth could retort, "I believe I overheard some plans Atlas was telling his army. He said to attack Camp Half-Blood on the next New Moon."
Cassandra inhaled sharply, "That's tonight!" Selene looked slightly surprised at this.
Annabeth frowned, thinking quickly. "Alright," She began, "I will stay here to find the thyrsus. You guys go and warn Chi – "
"No way!" Thalia and I interrupted instantly.
Thalia carried on, "You aren't staying here alone!"
I suggested, "How about Cassandra and Silenus go, and us three stay?"
They nodded, the other two albeit hesitantly.
"Alright." Cassandra agreed reluctantly.
Silenus glanced nervously at us, "Good luck."
"You too." Thalia said.
They both turned and headed back towards the cliff. I couldn't hear their sudden argument, but I did see Cassandra grabbing Silenus' arm and hurling them both off the cliff and into the churning (I think) waters below.
Selene chuckled softly, grabbing my attention. "Lie in wait, young ones. Wait until sundown. After the army marches off, will you be able to find what you seek."
With those mysterious words, the air shimmered, and an oblivious Atlas stood in her place.
"Should we trust her?" Annabeth asked hesitantly, as soon as we had headed back to the cliff ledge and squatted on it.
Thalia shrugged, "Mine as well, we've got nothing to lose."
I muttered sullenly, "Only our lives."
Chapter Thirteen: My Sword Gets Cursed
A/N: Please review! =)