Chapter XIII
The ride in Dr Chase's car which we had borrowed was one almost entirely spent in anxious silence. Not even the brief meeting with one of my favorite authors in the field military history, I mean that paper on the battle of Taranto was truly exemplary, did anything to shake my troubled mood, though I still found it strange to think that man was Annabeth's father and even weirder I never made the connection before.
Neither did the beautiful weather and sinking sun outside which bathed San Francisco in colors of red and orange do much to lift my spirits, only serving as a reminder of what was still to come. We would enter the Garden of the Hesperides and then we would face Atlas. As any sane person would be, I was terrified, Atlas was an incredibly dangerous foe by any measure and I had doubts that the back pain of his, Percy had told me about would do much to stop him from vanquishing us like pests.
I couldn't help glancing at Zoë as I thought back to our conversation a few days ago, she had been rather adamant that she would be the one to die. Despite my hate of this defeatist sentiment I could hardly disagree, we had already been spared two likely deaths from the prophecy, something I was of course extremely glad about.
Percy shot up in his seat, peering out of the window with sudden interest.
"Look!" He told us, though it was rather challenging to do so from the opposite side of the car.
"What?" Thalia asked.
"There, in the harbor, a big white cruise ship, it looked almost like-" Percy said, Thalia finishing for him.
"Luke's ship?"
"Wait," I said, surprised. "You mean to say you hadn't noticed it down there before?"
Thalia and Percy both shook their heads, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised, Percy had seen it twice now, Thalia and Zoë not at all. But I'd recognize that ship anywhere, I mean I lived on it for a decent chunk of my life, not to mention that it had a very recognizable figurehead and was bloody massive and thus very hard to miss.
"We won't be without company then," Zoë stated. "Kronos' army."
"Probably," I agreed. "Though I doubt they are mainly here for us-"
A spine-chilling feeling went through my body, I felt the hairs on my skin stand up and I saw the others shift as well, something was very wrong.
"Stop the car! NOW!" Thalia yelled and Zoë followed without hesitation.
She hit the brakes and the car skid on the gravelly ground, spinning twice around itself before coming to a halt at a cliff's edge.
"Out!" Thalia called.
I saw her push Percy out through the left door as Zoë dragged a shocked Bianca out up front. Instinctively I moved to get out as well. There was only one problem with that, there was a cliff on my side. Not that I had any time to think about that and thank the gods I didn't.
As I dived out I saw lightning flash above us and strike down, straight into the yellow car. I felt heat wash over me as an explosion boomed above me, seemingly the cliff was a blessing in disguise, surely I would have been shredded by shrapnel otherwise. And as I had said before, Mount Tam really wasn't that impressive, this cliff was perhaps twenty feet tall at best.
Grabbing a hold of a rocky ledge which almost broke off under the weight and force, I managed to stop my fall after just ten feet thankfully, now hanging off the rocky cliff face, before I started pulling myself up again. For a demigod that spent days at the climbing wall, a cliff that didn't even have lava on it wasn't all that scary and within maybe five seconds I had made my way back to the top.
I looked around, trying to find the others, though for some strange reason the mist hindered my vision quite a bit.
Carefully I navigated through the fog, which only seemed to get thicker. To my relief I faintly heard Percy's and Thalia's voices, though I could neither make out just what they were saying nor where they were and soon they faded again. Though in my attempts to pinpoint their location I almost walked straight into Zoë and Bianca, my mouth opened but Zoë raised a finger to her lips and I nodded.
Not that it was of much use as Percy was loudly heard calling.
"Theseus? Zoë, Bianca?"
With swift steps an annoyed Zoë moved, walking in his direction.
"You alright?" I asked Bianca as I fell in pace next to her.
"I am fine, shaken but not hurt, thanks for asking."
"Good, I was worried for a moment just now."
Zoë glanced back at us but didn't say anything, turning around again as Percy called again, this time much closer and louder.
"Theseus! Zo-" Before he could finish Zoë closed the distance as he and Thalia came into view and grabbed his arm.
"Silence, fool! Do you want to wake Ladon?" She hissed at him.
"You mean we're here?" Percy asked, surprised.
"Very close," Zoë said. "Follow me."
She turned on her heels and walked back into the dense, intransparent fog, not wanting to lose her, I wasted no time in following her.
"The fog here, it seems different," I stated and saw Zoë nod. "I cannot see beyond an arm's length in it."
"That's because it isn't normal fog," She replied. "here at the border of the garden the mist is so thick that it takes physical form."
I was about to answer when with another step the fog cleared around us suddenly. We were still standing on that mountainside road, but in front of us a luscious garden spread out.
The grass looked incredibly soft, the flower beds were tended to perfectly, not that the garden's inhabitants had much else to do. The garden was covered in light shadows everywhere, it was called the garden of twilight with good reason after all. In the midst of the garden a massive apple tree stood, a good couple of stories tall, on each of its dozens of branches tens of golden apples hung, shining alluringly in the evening light that bathed the entire garden, one bite and I'd be immortal.
This beautiful and inviting image was severely disturbed by two things though. For one the steep, threatening mountain rising next to it, along with the dark storm clouds swirling above us. But far more imminent was the huge hundred headed dragon next to it, Ladon. I mean he was still smaller than the friendly sea monster I had met this morning, but I also had a feeling he'd be far less friendly and talkative.
An other-worldly, beautiful singing started and the shadows started to flicker. It felt threatening and I saw Percy reach into his pocket, no doubt going for Riptide, though Zoë stopped him. If she hadn't done that I would no doubt have followed Percy's example.
Out of the moving shadows and shimmering air four figures appeared, all very similar both to one another but also to Zoë, all sharing the same silky black hair and black eyes. They were all stunningly beautiful, no less, if not even more so than Zoë, which was not surprising considering they were, even if just minor, goddesses.
"Sisters," Zoë acknowledged them, meeting their hostile looks.
"You are no sister of ours," One of them answered. "We only see two hunters and three campers, all five of whom shall die soon enough!"
"You are wrong, nobody is going to die." Percy said, optimistic as ever.
Well, hopefully none of us, I thought, but if Luke or any of his fanatics showed up I'd gladly send them to the judges, the whole lot.
"Perseus Jackson," A Hesperide noted.
"Yes," Another said. "I do not see how he is a threat."
"Who ever said I was a threat?" Percy asked.
"Grandfather, about a dozen times or so," I commented offhandedly. "try any combination of words meaning volatile and liability, he's probably called you that."
"Ah, Theseus Jackson, the boy who went rogue." One of them said, this one seemed to be the oldest, Aegle was her name if I wasn't wrong, funnily enough she shared that with one of Theseus' wives.
"It didn't seem to surprise him all too much," I nodded towards Thalia. "she wouldn't be alive if he hadn't expected me to do as I did, would she now?"
She hummed, which I interpreted as agreement and for a few moments let her eyes rest on me.
"Thalia Grace," She said as moved on to her. "They are unhappy you have not killed either of those two yet."
"It can be tempting," She said and I hoped she was looking more at Percy more than me, though it was hard to tell. "But no thanks, they are my friends, both of them."
"There are no friends here, daughter of Zeus," Aegle said. "Only enemies. Go back."
"Not without Annabeth," Thalia said.
"And Artemis," Zoë added. "We must approach the mountain."
"You know he will kill thee," Her sister said. "You are no match for him."
"Let us pass, sister" Zoë insisted. "Artemis must be freed."
"You have no rights here anymore." Aegle denied her angrily. "We have only to raise our voices and Ladon will wake"
I narrowed my eyes at that, a terrifying prospect, sure, but it seemed illogical, Ladon would tear us all to shreds, which while tragic, would be quite detrimental to Kronos plans, for one he would have to get a hold of Nico, since the prophecy would fall to him and the gods would have six more years to get their act together, surely they were bluffing, right?
"Aegle," I addressed the Hesperide who turned to me. "Do you expect us to buy that threat? If Ladon wakes we are all dead, sure, but that's not what Kronos wants is it?"
"Perhaps I should show you just how serious I am, Theseus Jackson?" The nymph asked. "I am sure once he wakes one of you will have to get the sense to flee and surrender before he kills all of you."
"He will not hurt me," Zoë said confidently.
"No?" Aegle mocked. "And what about thy so-called friends?"
Zoë didn't seem to be bothered at all by this point as she stepped forward and shouted. "Ladon! Wake!"
Expectedly the dragon started stirring, its hundred heads shifting as he woke up. The Hesperides turned and scattered, seemingly they weren't even sure he wouldn't be a threat to them and clearly they hadn't actually intended on waking him. one of them turned to Zoë and spoke with a horrified expression.
"Are you mad?"
"You never had any courage, sister," Zoë said. "That is thy problem."
She took another step forward, raising her arms as she walked towards the dragon.
"Zoë, don't," Thalia said. "You're not a Hesperide anymore. He'll kill you."
"Ladon is trained to protect the tree," Zoë said. "Skirt around the edges of the garden. Go up the mountain. As long as I am a bigger threat, he should ignore thee."
"What if he kills you Zoë?" Bianca asked. "What am I then supposed to do?"
"You will know what to do when that moment comes," Zoë said "You have kind and strong heart, listen to it."
Zoë's eyes looked sad and I realized just why she was doing this, why she was choosing this incredibly risky way. She had spoken of when she would die, not if and I had the feeling this was no mere acceptance that we all had to die someday, but that that day was today for her.
"It is the only way," she said. "Even the five of us together cannot fight him, you must go now."
As Ladon's hundred heads rose and opened their mouths, hissing at us, the acidic breath, which smelt like a mix of eucalyptus and rotting corpse, made leaving seem like a very welcome prospect. I didn't like Zoë doing this, I wanted to tell her how she was wrong, but she had started already and we had little option besides pulling through. I nodded and turned to the others.
"I'd say we split up, half go left, the other half goes right," I proposed. "he might have a hundred heads, but he can't move in one direction without leaving the tree exposed."
"Agreed," Thalia said. "I take Percy and go left, you and Bianca go right."
I nodded and they started moving as fast as they dared along the edge, Bianca and me mirroring their movement on the opposite side. It went quite well, Zoë spoke soothing and affectionate words to the dragon who indeed seemed to recognize her as she spoke about lamb meat, though it didn't seem smart to me to make the dangerous dragon hungry.
Of course something went wrong. It was hard to tell what it was, but the dragon lunged forward biting at her side. Zoë jumped back, avoiding the pointy fangs of that head. Another head moved to take a bite of her, though again she dodged, rolling under it.
I saw Percy draw Riptide and Bianca notching an arrow on her bow. Aegis and Thalia's spear appeared on arm and in hand, without really thinking about it I felt the weight of my sword in my hand as well, though I doubted it would do much against him.
"No!" Zoë panted. "Run!"
Another head shot forward snapping at her side and this time she was not fast enough. Zoë cried out in pain and Thalia moved forward, Aegis in front of her. Even the terrifying dragon hissed and stopped at the sight for a moment. That moment was all Zoë needed as she sprinted forth and beyond us, up the mountain over which those black clouds swirled forbiddingly.
Ladon relented, returning to guard the tree and the Hesperides once more picked up their song as we followed her, running after her. The sight that awaited at the top was frightening, the remnants of Othrys, black stone blocks of granite and marble and columns to match, bronze statues that while broken still showed the glory they once had. While it reminded me uncomfortably of Oceanus' palace I couldn't deny that Kronos had a good sense of taste, though that was one of his few admirable traits.
"The ruins of Othrys," Thalia awed as we walked through an archway.
"Yes," I said. "It's strange that it's here, aren't they supposed to be elsewhere."
"And they used to be," Zoë said. "This is bad, in the first war the fortress was utterly destroyed, that it is here-" She winced.
"You're hurt," Percy said. "Let me see."
"No," Zoë covered her side with her hand, I could swear she was bleeding. "it is nothing."
"Zoë," I started concerned. "You should at least take some Nectar or Ambrosia, you know who we'll be facing up there."
"I told you I'm fine," She insisted and I sighed, but let her be. "As I was saying, that it is here is bad, this is Atlas Mountain, it shouldn't be here, this is where holds the sky-" Her voice grew weak. "where he held up the sky."
The reason Zoë's voice had almost failed there was here for all of us to see, we had reached the summit, we had reached the point where the sky and earth had first met and still long to meet, we had reached Artemis. There beneath the solid pillar that looked like a massive dark funnel cloud, the auburn haired goddess crouched, bound in celestial bronze chains, clearly the burden was taking its toll on her.
"My lady!" Zoë instantly rushed towards her.
"Stop! It is a trap. You must leave now." Artemis insisted, her voice weak.
Zoë ignored her protests as she moved forward, desperately trying to free her goddess, though it was futile.
"Ah, how touching." A booming voice spoke and we all turned in its direction.
I instantly recognized the Titan that stood before us, I had seen him in that dream after all and even if I hadn't he was still recognizable enough. Atlas stood before us, he was massive, even beneath the surprisingly fashionable dark brown silk suit he wore his enormous size and strength was obvious. I had no doubt even Ares would look weak next to him.
Next to him stood Luke, the sight of whom made my blood boil, at his side stood Annabeth, hands cuffed and gagged and his sword at her throat. He was accompanied by six Dracaena, who bore that creepy gold sarcophagus in which Kronos was being put together like the world's nastiest and longest to complete jigsaw puzzle.
"Luke," Thalia snarled. "Let her go."
"That is the General's decision, Thalia. But it's good to see you again." Luke said and I noticed just how bad he looked.
Thalia spat at him, though Luke looked indifferent.
"You don't look too good Luke, how's the shoulder?" I mocked and the son of Hermes turned to me.
"Ah, I see you haven't changed from your regular charming self," He answered. "the shoulder is fine, thanks for asking, friend."
"Shame to hear that really," I scowled. "We aren't friends Luke, never will be and we never were, not even back then."
"So much for old friends." Atlas chuckled and looked at his daughter. "Zoë, It has been a long time. How is my little traitor? I will enjoy killing you."
"Do not respond," Artemis groaned. "Do not challenge him."
"You're not going to hurt Zoë" Percy said decisively. "I won't let you."
The General sneered. "You have no right to interfere, little hero. This is a family matter."
"A family matter?" Percy asked and I had to resist groaning, how had he still not realized, we just met her sisters, how could he be so dense sometimes.
"Yes," Zoë said bleakly. "Atlas is my father."
She turned to her father away from her imprisoned mistress, the dark eyes she shared with him filled with anger and pain as she looked at him.
"Let Artemis go," Zoë demanded.
Atlas walked closer to the chained goddess. "Perhaps you'd like to take the sky for her, then? Be my guest."
Zoë, clearly was temped to, but Artemis stopped any such notion. "Do not offer, Zoë! I forbid you!"
Atlas smirked and knelt down next to the goddess of the hunt. He tried to touch her face, but the goddess still had more than enough fight in her to bite at him, almost taking off his finger, though he only chuckled.
"You see, daughter? Lady Artemis likes her new job." He chuckled again. "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."
"I don't understand," Percy said. "Why can't Artemis just let go of the sky?"
"How little you understand, young one." Atlas laughed. "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. "Unless someone else takes it from you."
He approached us, studying Thalia, Percy and me. "So these are the best heroes of the age, eh? Not much of a challenge."
"You lot were responsible for my upbringing weren't you?" I countered. "Seems like a failure on your part to me."
"There is only so much one can do with a rotten foundation," He retorted. "though it'll be interesting to see how good of a work my uncle has done with you."
"Fight us then," Percy said. "See for yourself."
"Have the gods taught you nothing?" Atlas asked. "An immortal does not fight a mere mortal directly. It is beneath our dignity. I will have Luke crush you instead."
Luke didn't look strong enough to crush a tomato if I was honest, his skin was pale and he seemed weak and pained. Either there was something I wasn't seeing or Atlas was very overconfident in Luke's ability to crush five very well-armed and powerful demigods. I had doubts the six puny Dracaena accompanying him would make much of a difference.
"As for you, daughter of Zeus," Atlas continued. "it seems Luke was wrong about you."
"I wasn't wrong," Luke managed. "Thalia, you still can join us. Call the Ophiotaurus. It will come to you. Look!"
He waved his hand, and a pool of water appeared, ringed in black marble, big enough to hold the monster.
"Thalia, call the Ophiotaurus," Luke persisted. "And you will be more powerful than the gods."
"Luke..." Thalia said pained. "What happened to you?"
"Don't you remember all those times we talked? All those times we cursed the gods? Our fathers have done nothing for us. They have no right to rule the world!"
Thalia shook her head. "Free Annabeth. Let her go."
"If you join me," Luke promised, "it could be like old times. The three of us together. Fighting for a better world. Please, Thalia, if you don't agree... It's my last chance. He will use the other way if you don't agree. Please."
I knew exactly what he was talking about, Kronos would take his body, to use him as a host to come into this world, a fate worse than death, though I guess when Elysium was an option death wasn't necessarily all that bad, not that Luke would get anything but punishment.
But as I looked at him I noticed something else, there was movement behind him, marching up the mountain was an army, one I recognized all too well. Hundreds of traitorous demigods and Dracaena, dozens of Hellhounds and Laistrygonians and many more less numerous, but no less dangerous monsters. But the most terrifying thing down there was without doubt the Aethopian Drakon at the back end of the army. Luke had been carrying him around in the cargo hold for ages, and it seems he finally got some fresh air.
One thing was for certain, however, if that army got up here, we were done for. And they would be here if we wasted any more time talking with Luke. But I got the feeling Luke was aiming for just that, even if Thalia wouldn't accept, he was stalling us.
"Do not, Thalia," Zoë warned. "We must fight them."
Luke waved his hand and a brazier appeared, a sacrificial flame burning in it.
"Thalia, we don't have time for this," I reached my arm out towards the coming troops. "That army will be here soon!"
"Thank you for aiding in my presentation," He said with a weak smirk, showing towards them himself. "As you can see Thalia, we are not weak."
The sarcophagus glowed golden and illusory images started appearing around us showing a mighty and intact Othrys, one that was more than just a few piles of rubble.
"We will raise Mount Othrys right here," Luke promised, though sounded like he was about to break down. "Once more, it will be stronger and greater than Olympus. Soon we will be ready to storm Camp Half-Blood. And after that, Olympus itself. All we need is your help."
Thalia clearly wanted to believe Luke and for a moment I wondered what to do if she actually accepted, but thankfully she instead leveled her spear at Luke.
"You aren't Luke." She growled. "I don't know you anymore."
"Yes, you do, Thalia," He begged. "Please. Don't make me... Don't make him destroy you."
Enough of this I decided, which seemingly was a decision shared by the others who readied themselves for combat. My eyes fell upon the pool of water, again Luke showed how much of an idiot he could be, who gave two sons of Poseidon water before a fight in which they'd have none otherwise?
"Now!" I heard Percy call.
I really wanted to go for Luke, I still had unfinished business from last summer after all. But Thalia was already furiously thundering towards him, the Dracaena fleeing in front of Aegis as lightning crackled around her. I was not stupid enough to get in the way of that.
"Percy," Zoë called. "Beware!"
I turned to see with horror Percy walking towards Atlas, whose silk suit had turned to full armor by now. I was certain neither of us stood any chance against the mighty titan lord. I had seen him fight in my dream and even if it was just a short glimpse I knew he could wipe both of us out without breaking a sweat realistically speaking. So I did the only logical thing, I went to help my brother.
"I think you could use a hand, Percy!" I called as I rushed to help him.
Percy charged and I moved to get around the Titan, hoping to beset him somewhat by flanking him. Those hopes were shattered as I heard a loud smack and crash as Percy flew into black stone wall that had just appeared, hit by Atlas' spear. Othrys was manifesting itself, I noticed the soft golden glow all around, it was being raised again where we stood.
"Fool!" Atlas mocked him filled with glee. "Did you think, simply because you could challenge that petty war god, that you could stand up to me?"
Atlas turned to me, spear twirling menacingly, swatting away silver arrows from Zoë and Bianca. I carefully retreated as he moved towards me, though with menacing steps he approached, inevitably closing in. I knew there was no parrying him, he was far too strong for that, so I decided to embrace that proverb about a good offense being the best defense and attacked.
I charged and saw Atlas raise his spear to run me through, miraculously I managed to turn out of the way in time to let it barely scrape along my breastplate, throwing sparks in the air. I dashed forward and tried to stab at the chink of the armor at his knee, but before I reached it, Atlas's spear appeared from the side and he swept me away swiftly, sending me flying.
"Hah!" His laugh bellowed. "It seems I really must have a word with Oceanus if that is the best you can do!"
Groaning I crashed into a black marble fountain, dazed I looked as my brother went to attack him again.
Sadly the fountain was entirely dry so the only thing I got from crashing into it was pain and even more pain when I forced myself back to my feet, relenting was not an option. If I died in combat against Atlas it would be no shame at the very least.
Percy struck at his leg, but the titan just brought his spear's shaft down and smacked Riptide aside, before slashing out towards Percy with the spear's butt spike, smacking him back like a fly, sending him crashing into the ground. Riptide clattered aside, sliding over the ground and off a cliff.
In terror I rushed towards him. I couldn't lose my brother and I wouldn't, not if I could do something about it.
"Die, little hero," Atlas said.
Desperately I pushed myself hard to move faster as he raised his spear, trying to do as I had done before, hoping for that feeling of weightlessness again. But nothing happened, my weight and that of my armor still dragging me down as I ran towards him, with dread I realized that there was no way I'd be fast enough to save him in time.
Thankfully, Zoë was, a volley of silver arrows arced in front of me, hitting Atlas' armpit.
"ARGH!" The Titan bellowed in anger and turned towards Zoë and Bianca.
He moved towards them and I did as well, aiming to intercept him, even if I was unsure how I planned on doing that. This time, however, my newfound powers did not disappoint me, like the wind I surged across the battlefield, manifesting behind the titan, my motion fluidly going over into a sweeping cut at his left thigh and I actually managed to hit him, the blade cutting a deep gash in his unarmored upper leg, though it seemingly mostly angered him.
His javelin arced down from the side and I was sure it would cut me apart if it hit. I wish I actually knew just what the Hades I was doing, because then I might actually survive. I jumped back and watched in relief as empty air was in my place, the spear hitting nothing, perhaps I was finally getting the hang of it?
"So you know that little trick?" He taunted me with a chuckle as he turned to me again. "Perhaps it'll keep you alive a few seconds longer."
The spear came back from the other side in quick succession, though with less force, changing direction shortly after going past me. But again it passed through me without causing any harm, but he was driving me back, I couldn't last long, even like this, I needed to use what chances I got.
I moved sidewards and struck upward at his thigh, I saw his spear coming swinging around from the back, perhaps I could have dodged had I went back in time, but I was too aggressive and this time my powers didn't save me
As it collided with me I flew to the side, dragging on the ground and flipping over myself a couple of times, though thankfully my feet found solid ground and anchored me, stopping myself before I could tumble over the cliff Riptide had went off, which judging by the 200-hundred feet drop would not have ended well at all for me.
"I think it is time I put an end to your pathetic efforts." The titan stated and I heard his steps approaching.
Shaking despite my firm footing, I stood there, miraculously I still hadn't broken anything, or if I had it must be something rather unimportant like a rib. I noticed the nearby pool of water and limped towards it. If I could get to it I could carry on, even if it would kill me, I had to. I heard Atlas' steps getting closer, when suddenly they stopped, but I didn't think about it as I finally stepped into the pool, my strength returning to me and my mind clearing.
I turned and what I saw made me gain hope again. Artemis was free and with rapid movements, almost too fast to see she moved, seeming more like a flash of silver than a goddess.
She was little more of a match for the Titan's strength than me but she needed not to be, with graceful movements she dodged his strikes, which were so much more powerful and faster than before, as there was no holding back against the goddess anymore.
But my hope wavered as I realized that Atlas also had her on the defensive, despite dealing with her and Bianca and Zoë at once, the arrows hitting him being little more than annoyances to him.
Thalia and Luke had taken their fight along the cliff's edge by now, still going at it like mad men, spear and sword and former friends going against each other, as sparks of clashing metal and lightning flew through the air. Luke was cackling madly, as he did so often, gods that boy, or man rather, was unhinged.
But wait, if Artemis was free, who was holding up the sky and where was Percy? Both of these questions were answered as I looked at where the sky came down.
With horror I realized that it was Percy who was holding up the sky. My brother somehow kept that immeasurable weight up, despite his pained expression and the enormous stress it was clearly putting on his body. What the Hades was he doing, that would kill him if he kept it on.
Frantically I started moving towards him, ignoring the clashing immortals in between but I skid to a halt as I saw Atlas javelin sweep Artemis legs away, sending her to the ground. He raised his spear overhead, ready to kill her, knowing I somehow had to stop him I changed direction, moving towards them, but again Zoë was faster.
Throwing herself in front of her mistress she launched an arrow, burying itself right in Atlas' forehead, the Titan bellowed with rage and with a powerful strike from his hand sent her crashing into one of the black stone walls that had risen. Bianca looked torn between helping her goddesses or her lieutenant, but in the end chose the less suicidal option and rushed to Zoë's side, not that she could realistically have done any more than her.
"The first blood in a new war," Atlas gloated.
I started running towards her again as Atlas stabbed down, but not only would I have been far too slow, there was no need for it either as Artemis fast as lightning grabbed the shaft of the spear, driving it into the ground next to her. Like a lever she used it, kicking into the Titan Lord throwing him right over her, right into Percy.
Impressively enough, Percy managed to roll off as the Titan slammed into him and back under the sky, trapping him once more. The titan managed to struggle to his knees, desperately trying to get out, but there was no escaping the crushing weight above him.
"Noooooo!" He cried out, his booming voice shaking the ground. "Not again!"
I didn't care for the wailing Titan as I sprinted to Percy who was struggling to rise behind him. I crouched next to him, the strain on his body was clear as he tried to push himself up, but failed miserably. I pulled the canteen from my belt and forced what Nectar remained down his throat. Instantly the redness of his skin started to fade and I grabbed his hand.
"Come on Perce," I said as I pulled him to his feet. "no time for a nap."
He groaned but surprisingly seemed to be able to stand on his own two feet already. I surveyed the battlefield, Thalia and Luke were still fighting on, but it was clear Thalia had the upper hand, Luke was wounded and exhausted. She had backed him down one of the cliffs, but Luke kept fighting like a cornered animal.
Aegis slammed into him as he lunged her, hitting his arm and throwing Backbiter out of his hands and down the cliff. Luke stumbled back and Thalia put her spear to his throat, though Luke still kept his uncaring facade up, though his fear was showing.
"Well?" He asked.
Thalia was shaking with anger and I was sure she would run him through by the end of it. And she just might have but Annabeth finally came up, she must have managed to free herself from her shackles somehow.
"Don't kill him!" She cried out.
"He's a traitor," Thalia yelled angrily. "A traitor!"
I nodded in approval, Luke's death was for the best, he deserved it and even if he did not it was the best for the future and would be a severe blow to Kronos' plans.
"We'll bring Luke back," Annabeth said before reasoning. "To Olympus, he'll be useful."
I looked at her in disbelief. If we even made it off this mountain alive it would be a surprise. How did she plan to drag that traitor with us? But I knew Annabeth wasn't thinking straight, she'd say anything to keep Thalia from killing Luke right now.
"Is that what you want, Thalia?" Luke sneered. "To go back to Olympus in triumph? To please your dad?"
Much to my dismay Thalia showed signs of hesitation. An opportunity Luke grabbed, quite literally, as he went for her spear to wrestle control from her.
Thalia reacted out of pure instinct, kicking Luke back. He stumbled a few steps back, swaying but finally lost his balance at the cliff's edge, falling backwards, off the mountain. Percy and I rushed to join Thalia and Annabeth looking down the cliff.
Down there, Luke lay, his body unmoving and broken, his army standing still around him in shock. That fall had surely killed him, at least I hoped so, it would be the best for everyone. But there was no time for hoping for or confirming his death as the army came back to their senses.
A Laistrygonian giant hefted his javelin and aimed for us, others followed his motion, Dracaena and Half-Bloods pulled bows and notched arrows.
"Kill them!" He cried and sent it flying, the other monsters and soldiers letting loose as well.
The giant spear buried itself in the ground of the cliff as we scurried back from it and dozens more projectiles followed raining down. As we ran for the black rocks where Zoë had fallen and still lay, where Artemis and Bianca were at her side, I couldn't do anything but hope that it was not yet too late for her, but I got the terrible feeling she had been right all along...
As always, thanks for reading, following favoriting and please review!