Disclaimer: Nine chapters later, is this really necessary?
"Dad." Percy said. "Help us. Get the Ophiotaurus and Grover safely to camp. Protect them at sea."
"A prayer like that needs a big sacrifice." Thalia said. Percy took off his coat.
"Are you sure you want to do that?" Grover asked. "The lion skin has been really helpful."
"Yeah, I'm sure." Percy said. "If I survive, it's not going to be because of the skin. I'm not Hercules." With that, Percy threw the cloak into the sea. He watched as it turned back into the pelt and began to sink. Then it dissolved into sunlight. His prayer had been accepted.
"Seaweed brain helped." Athena whispered.
"Which one?" Aphrodite asked, noting the fact that both mother and daughter called two different people seaweed brain.
"Poseidon." Apollo said. "I'm pretty sure that Athena would call Percy seaweed brain's kid... not seaweed brain."
"Her daughter calls him seaweed brain." Hermes piped in.
"Right..." Aphrodite said. She checked off Poseidon's name.
They were speaking in hushed tones because the gods were beginning to arrive for the solstice. So far, Demeter, Hephaestus, and Dionysus had showed up. Zeus and Hera would be back on Olympus in less then an hour and Poseidon was taking his time.
"This is Atlas's mountain." Zoë said. "Where he holds-" She gasped. "Where he used to hold up the sky." The trio had reached the mountain summit. They saw a twelve-year-old girl holding up a gray funnel cloud. It was Artemis. She was literally holding the world on her shoulders.
"My lady!" Zoë said as she rushed forward to assist Artemis.
"Stop! It is a trap. You must to leave now." Artemis said in a quick, strained tone. Zoë didn't care. She ran forward to help the goddess. Tears streaked down her face.
"How touching." A voice boomed from behind them. The trio turned on around to find the General, Luke, a dozen Dracaenae and Annabeth.
Percy was the first to notice that Annabeth was hand cuffed and gagged. His eyes met hers; he had so many questions to ask. Annabeth's eyes relayed one message. RUN!
Thalia was the first to speak. "Luke." She snarled, looking between Annabeth and Luke. "Let her go."
Luke smiled. He looked weak and pale. "That is the General's decision. However, it's nice to see you again Thalia." He said. She spat at him.
The general laughed. "So much for old friends. And you, Zoë, I haven't seen you for a long time. How is my little traitor? I'll enjoy killing you." Zoë's eyes widened a little but she didn't respond.
"Do not respond." Artemis groaned. "Don't challenge him."
"Wait a second." Percy said. "You're Atlas?" He received a glare from the general.
"So, even the stupidest of heroes can finally figure something out. Yes. I am Atlas, the Titan general, and the terror of the gods. Congratulations. You've learned something. As a reward, I will kill you presently, as soon as I deal with this wretched girl."
"You're not going to kill Zoë." Percy said. "I won't let you."
"This is a family matter." The general sneered. "You have no right to interfere."
Percy frowned. "A family matter?" He asked. A hint of confusion was present in his voice.
"Yes." Zoë said bleakly. "Atlas is my father."
Thalia and Percy stared at her in shock. Suddenly, similar resemblances stood out between Atlas and Zoë.
"Let Artemis go." Zoë demanded. She had brought the attention back to the goddess.
Atlas walked closer to Artemis. "I guess you'd like to take the sky for her. Be my guest." He said.
Zoë opened her mouth to speak. Before any words left her mouth, Artemis interrupted her.
"No! Don't offer, Zoë, I forbid you!" She said. Atlas smiled. He knelt down beside Artemis and went to graze his hand across her cheek. Artemis went to bit him. If Atlas hadn't moved his hand back, he would've lost a finger or two.
Atlas laughed for a moment. "You see daughter? I believe Lady Artemis likes her new job. I think I'll have all the Olympians carry my burden, once Lord Kronos rules again. This will be the center of our palace. It will teach those weaklings some humanity."
Percy caught eye contact with Annabeth. Her gray eyes were wide. She was desperately attempting to tell him something. She slightly moved her head towards Luke. Annabeth's message was unclear. Percy had no choice but to stare at her. As he stared, Percy noticed something different about Annabeth. Her blond hair had gray streaks in it.
"It's from holding up the sky." Thalia said. She'd noticed that Percy was staring at Annabeth. "The weight should have killed her." Of course, she had to add some dark-side to her observation.
"I don't get it." Percy said. "Why can't Artemis let go of the sky?"
Atlas laughed. "This is the point where the sky and the earth first met, where Ouranos and Gaia first brought first their powerful children- the Titans. The sky still wants to embrace the earth. So, someone must hold it or it would crush this place, flatten the mountain, and flatten everything within a hundred leagues of this place. Once you've taken the burden, there is no escape." He smiled at this. "Unless someone else takes it for you." Atlas walked over towards Thalia and Percy. "So these are the best heroes of the age? Not that much of a challenge."
"Fight us." Percy said through gritted teeth. "Then you'll see."
"Have the gods taught you nothing?" Atlas scoffed. "An immortal does not fight a mortal directly. It's beneath our dignity. I will have Luke crush you instead."
"So you're another coward." Percy stated.
Atlas eyes glowed with hatred. After glaring at Percy for a few seconds, he turned his attention to Thalia.
"As for you, daughter of Zeus, it seems as though Luke was wrong about you."
"I wasn't wrong." Luke managed to say. He spoke each word slowly with pain echoing throughout each word. "Thalia, you can still join us. Call the Ophiotaurus. It will come to you. Look!" He pointed to a pool of water that was beside Thalia and Percy.
Percy looked at the water. He was thinking about how he could see Bessie inside it. In fact, he could of sworn that he could hear her mooing. Don't think about him! Grover's voice sounded in Percy's mind. The empathy link still worked. Grover was almost panicking. I'm losing Bessie. Block the thoughts! Percy attempted to clear his mind.
"Thalia, call the Ophiotaurus." Luke continued. "You'll be greater than all the gods."
"Luke?" Thalia's asked. "What happened to you?" Her voice was full of emotion.
"Don't you remember?" He asked. "All those time we cursed the gods? Our fathers haven't done anything for us. They shouldn't be the ones ruling the world."
Thalia shook her head. "Free Annabeth, let her go."
"If you join me..." Luke promised. "It can be like old times. The three of us together, fighting for a better world. Please, Thalia, if you don't..." He faltered. "It's my last chance. If you don't agree, he'll use the other way. Please." Fear echoed throughout his voice. Thalia stared at him. She could tell that her decision would change Luke's life. But she didn't know what to do. She didn't answer.
"Do not, Thalia." Zoë warned. "We must fight them."
Luke waved his hand and a sacrificial flame appeared. Thalia stared at it. She still wasn't speaking.
"We will raise Mount Othrys right here." Luke said. His voice was strained. "Once more, it will be stronger and greater than Olympus. Look, Thalia. We're not weak." He pointed toward the ocean. Thalia and Percy looked towards where he was pointing. They were both shocked to find a huge army approaching the mountain. There were dozens of Dracaenae, Laestrygonians, other monsters, and half bloods. They were greatly outnumbered. "This is only a taste of what will come. There are more of us." Luke continued. "Soon there will be enough of us to storm Camp Half-Blood. And soon after, Olympus itself. All we need is your help."
Thalia hesitated. She was beginning to hate being put on the spot. She could have the world at her fingertips. People would listen to her. Thalia didn't like all the choices that she was given. She'd been back for less than a year and everyone wanted her for one thing or another. Like she'd believe that. But she wanted to believe him. Thalia gazed at Luke. She leveled her spear and finally managed to say "You aren't Luke. I don't know you anymore."
"Yes you do." Luke was pleading now. "Please. Don't let me... Don't make him destroy you."
Time was running out. If the army got to the top of the mountain, the group would be dead. Percy looked to Annabeth again. Her eyes lit up as she nodded. Percy understood. It was time to fight.
"Now." Percy said. Thalia, Zoë, and Percy charged forward. Thalia went straight for Luke. Her shield was raised. It was so powerful. The monsters that guarded Luke fled. Luke stood alone. She went to stab him but Luke was quick to parry. Luke snarled as he counterattacked. Thalia deflected the blow with her shield. As Luke's sword hit the shield, a ball of lighting erupted between him and Thalia, causing Luke to take a baby step back.
Percy, the stupidest of the group, ran straight at Atlas. The Titan laughed as Percy approached. With a snap of his fingers, Atlas' suit changed into full Greek battle armor, completed with a huge javelin.
"Go on then." Atlas said.
"Percy!" Zoë said. "Beware!" Percy understood the simple warning. He had remembered that Chiron had mentioned that Immortals are constrained by ancient rules. But a hero can go anywhere; challenge anyone, as long as he has the nerve. Once Percy decided to attack, Atlas would be free to attack with all his might.
Percy swung his sword. Atlas knocked Percy aside and sent him flying through the air. He did this with a single swing of his javelin. Percy slammed against a black wall. The mist had disappeared. The palace was rising, brick by brick. It was becoming real.
Zoë began to shoot arrows at Atlas. She hoped that they would distract her father for a moment or two. They'd give Percy some time to get back on his feet.
"You fool!" Atlas screamed as swatted aside one of Zoë's arrows. "Did you think, simply because you could challenge that petty war god, that you could stand up to me?"
Percy twitched. The mention of Ares had reminded him of another thing that was mentioned to him a while ago. This time it wasn't something Chiron had said. It was something that Ares had threatened. When you need it most, your sword will fail you. The words echoed through Percy's head. Suddenly, his sword felt heavier than ever. Not now! Percy pleaded but it was no use. He attempted to dodge the next blow from Atlas. Percy couldn't. He was hit in the chest by the javelin. Once again, Percy went flying through the air. This time he landed by Artemis. She was still holding up the sky.
"Run, boy." Artemis said. "You must run!"
Atlas was slowly approaching Percy. Percy was unarmed. His sword had flown out of his hand and away from him. It landed over the edge of the cliff. Percy hoped that his sword would reappear in his pocket. He didn't care though. The god was getting closer and by the time the sword was back, he'd be dead.
Thalia and Luke were still fighting. Clashes and bangs echoed throughout the mountaintop. Lightning was crackling around them and sparks were flying everywhere. Annabeth was on the ground, struggling to free her hands from the cloth that bound them.
Atlas was close enough to kill Percy. "Die little hero." He said as he raised his javelin to impale Percy.
"No!" Zoë screamed. She sent as many arrows as she could towards a chink in Atlas's armor.
"ARGH!" Atlas bellowed. He turned towards his daughter.
Riptide finally returned to Percy's pocket. He knew that he couldn't attack. Percy remembered another line from the prophecy. The Titan's curse must one withstand. Percy didn't stand a chance against Atlas. But he knew of someone else who might have a chance. Percy turned around to face Artemis.
"The sky." He said. "Give it to me."
"No, boy." Artemis said. "You don't know what you're asking for. It will crush you."
"But Annabeth took it."
"She barely survived. She had the spirit of a true huntress. You will not last so long."
"I'll die anyways." Percy said. "Give me the weight of the sky!" Percy was to impatient to wait for Artemis to answer. He took out Riptide and slashed through the chains that bound the goddess. Then he stepped beside her and braced himself on one knee. Her raised his hands and touched the heavy clouds. For a moment, he and Artemis bore the wait together. Percy noted how heavy it was. He wanted to black out from the pain. He took a deep breath and thought I can do this. Artemis slipped out from under the sky and Percy held the burden alone. Percy began to sink to the ground. Fight back! Grover's voice said inside Percy's head. Don't give up. Percy went back to concentrating on breathing. He needed to last a few more seconds. Percy thought about Bianca. She gave up her life to help Percy, Zoë, and Thalia get to where they were. If she could do that, he could hold up the sky.
Artemis fought Atlas. She was extremely graceful. Her weapons were two hunting knives. They were very effective. As she fought, Zoë shot arrows at the kinks in her father's armor. Atlas would cry out in pain every time one found a piece of skin, but they didn't hurt him for long. Instead, the arrows caused Atlas to get madder. He kept fighting.
Thalia and Luke continued fighting. Lightning still illuminated the area around them. Thalia continued to push Luke back with the aura of her shield. Even he wasn't immune to it. He retreated backwards every time the shield was in his face.
"Yield!" Thalia yelled. "You never could beat me, Luke."
"We'll see my old friend." He said through bared teeth.
Percy was beginning to lose it. He could barely keep track of what was going on. His vision had blurred and sweat was pouring down his face. He saw Atlas advance. He was trying to stop Artemis. Artemis was fast and Atlas was strong. It was a pretty even match. Atlas would strike and miss the spot where Artemis had just been. A fissure opened in the rocks. Atlas leapt over them and kept pursuing her. Artemis's goal was to lead Atlas to where Percy was. She was almost there.
Get ready. Artemis spoke to Percy by using her mind.
Aggghhhhh-owwwwwwwwwww. Was Percy's only response.
"You fight well for a girl." Atlas laughed. "But you are no match for me." He feinted with the tip of his javelin and Artemis dodged. Percy saw the trick coming. Atlas's javelin swept around and knocked Artemis's legs off the ground. She fell and he brought up his javelin tip for the kill.
"No!" Zoë screamed. She leaped between her father and Artemis and shot an arrow straight into his forehead. The arrow lodged into Atlas's forehead, it looked like a unicorn's horn. Atlas bellowed in rage. He swept aside Zoë with the back of his hand, sending her flying into the black rocks. No one could see where she landed. Atlas looked back at Artemis. He knew that he'd be triumphant. Artemis appeared to be wounded. She didn't get up.
"The first blood in a new war." Atlas gloated as he stabbed downward. Artemis quickly grabbed his javelin stick. It hit the earth right next to her and she pulled backward, using the javelin like a lever. Then she kicked Atlas and sent him flying over her. The Titan Lord went soaring towards Percy.
Percy understood what was going to happen. He loosened his grip on the sky and allowed Atlas to crash into him. Percy didn't bother with holding on. He allowed himself to get pushed out of the way. Once he hit the ground, he rolled out of the way.
The weight of the sky dropped onto Atlas's back. It almost smashed him flat but Atlas had managed to get on his knees. He struggled for a while as he attempted to get out from under the sky. His actions were useless because it was too late.
"Nooo!" He bellowed. "Not again!" Atlas was trapped beneath his old burden.
Percy attempted to stand up but he was dazed from the pain.
Thalia had backed Luke to the edge of a cliff. They were fighting beside the gold coffin. Thalia had tears in her eyes and Luke had a bloody slash across his chest. He slashed at Thalia and she slammed him with her shield. Luke's sword flew out of his hands and clattered to the rocks. Thalia put her spear point to his throat.
There was a moment of silence as Thalia decided what to do.
"Well?" Luke asked. He failed at attempting to hide the fear in his voice.
Thalia was trembling with fury.
Annabeth had finally freed herself from her bonds. She scrambled towards Thalia. "Don't kill him!" She said.
"He's a traitor." Thalia said. "He's a traitor."
Percy was the only one to notice that Artemis had disappeared. He had seen her run off towards where Zoë had fallen.
"We'll bring Luke back." Annabeth pleaded. "To Olympus. He... he'll be useful."
"Is that what you want, Thalia?" Luke sneered. "To go back to Olympus in triumph? To please your dad?"
Thalia hesitated and Luke made a desperate grab for her spear. Without thinking, Thalia kicked Luke.
"No!" Annabeth shouted. It was to late though. Thalia's foot had made a connection. He lost his balance. A look of terror was on his face. Then he fell.
"Luke!" Annabeth screamed. She, Thalia, and Percy rushed to the cliff's edge. The army below them had stopped in amazement. They were staring at Luke's broken form on the rocks.
One of the giants looked up and growled, "Kill them!"
