Atlas was an unstoppable force, towering over the demigods with a presence that seemed to blot out the very light of the stars. His every movement was filled with a terrifying strength that shook the ground beneath them. The air crackled with tension as Thalia's lightning danced around her, but even the raw power of Zeus's daughter seemed insignificant in the face of the Titan's might.
Thalia gritted her teeth, summoning another bolt of lightning that shot from the sky with a deafening crack. It slammed into Atlas's chest, sending a wave of electricity coursing through his body. For a split second, his movements faltered, and Thalia dared to hope that it had worked. But then Atlas let out a thunderous laugh, brushing off the attack as if it were nothing more than a mosquito bite.
"You think that will stop me, little girl?" Atlas sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "I've faced the gods themselves and stood victorious. You are nothing!"
With a growl of determination, Thalia charged at him again, her spear crackling with energy. But before she could strike, Atlas swung his massive arm, catching her in the side. The force of the blow sent her flying through the air, crashing into the rocky ground with a sickening thud. Her spear clattered away, far out of reach, leaving her defenseless.
"Thalia!" Annabeth screamed, her heart lurching in her chest. She could see her friend struggling to get back on her feet, but there was no time to help her. Atlas was already turning his attention to the others, his eyes gleaming with a cruel satisfaction.
Annabeth's grip tightened on her sword, her mind racing. They couldn't keep this up for much longer. Every strike they landed on Atlas seemed to do nothing more than annoy him, while every hit they took left them more battered and exhausted. They needed a plan, something to turn the tide of the battle before it was too late.
"Reyna, cover me!" Annabeth shouted, darting to the side to draw Atlas's attention. The daughter of Bellona nodded, her expression fierce as she stepped forward, her sword flashing as she intercepted Atlas's next swing. The impact sent a shockwave through her arms, but she held her ground, using every ounce of her strength to keep the Titan at bay.
"Zoe, Bianca!" Annabeth called out, her voice strained as she barely dodged a crushing blow from Atlas. "Keep him distracted! We need to buy Thalia some time!"
Zoe and Bianca didn't hesitate. With a flurry of movement, they unleashed a barrage of arrows, each one aimed with deadly precision. Zoe's arrows whistled through the air, their silver tips gleaming in the dim light as they struck Atlas in rapid succession. Bianca's arrows followed, her shadow manipulation guiding them to hit the Titan from unexpected angles.
Atlas roared in frustration, swatting at the arrows as if they were flies. But the constant assault was just enough to keep him from focusing on Thalia, who was slowly regaining her strength, her blue eyes blazing with determination as she pulled herself back to her feet.
"Is that the best you can do?" Atlas taunted, his voice a rumble of dark amusement. He swung his arm in a wide arc, forcing Reyna and Annabeth to dive out of the way to avoid being crushed. "You think your pitiful tricks will stop me?"
Reyna gritted her teeth, pushing herself back up from where she had rolled to dodge Atlas's attack. The ground was uneven and treacherous, but she moved with the grace of a seasoned warrior, her senses sharp as she looked for any opening, any weakness in the Titan's relentless onslaught.
Annabeth, meanwhile, was frantically calculating their odds, trying to come up with a strategy that didn't end with all of them dead. Her mind raced through possibilities, but each one seemed more impossible than the last. The Titan's strength was overwhelming, his size and power dwarfing anything they had ever faced before. But they couldn't give up—not when they were so close.
"We need to get him off balance!" Annabeth shouted over the din of battle. "He's too focused on us! We need to throw him off!"
"How do you suggest we do that?" Bianca called back, loosing another arrow that sliced through the air and embedded itself in Atlas's shoulder. The Titan barely flinched, but it did draw his attention for a split second—just long enough for Reyna to land a glancing blow with her sword.
"We need to work together!" Annabeth responded, ducking under another swing from Atlas. "If we can get him to stumble, even for a moment, we might have a chance!"
Zoe, who had been circling around to Atlas's blind spot, caught on to Annabeth's plan. She adjusted her aim, targeting Atlas's legs and feet instead of his upper body. The arrows struck with pinpoint accuracy, forcing Atlas to shift his weight slightly to maintain his balance.
Reyna and Annabeth pressed the attack, striking in unison from opposite sides. Reyna's sword connected with a clang against Atlas's armored leg, while Annabeth's blade sliced across the Titan's calf. The combined force was enough to make Atlas snarl in irritation, his movements growing just a fraction slower as he adjusted to their coordinated assault.
Thalia, who had finally managed to retrieve her spear, saw her opening. With a fierce cry, she charged forward, her weapon crackling with renewed energy. She thrust it forward with all her might, aiming for the back of Atlas's knee—a vulnerable spot that, if hit just right, could bring even a Titan to his knees.
But Atlas was no fool. He saw the attack coming and twisted at the last moment, using his massive arm to deflect the blow. Thalia's spear clashed against his gauntlet, the impact sending a shockwave up her arms that nearly knocked her off her feet.
Atlas's smirk widened as he loomed over Thalia, his shadow casting her in darkness. "Nice try, little girl," he sneered, raising his arm to deliver a crushing blow.
But before he could strike, a blinding flash of lightning split the sky, crashing down on Atlas with the force of a thunderstorm. Thalia's eyes blazed with power as she called on the full strength of her divine heritage, her connection to Zeus surging through her like a tempest.
The lightning struck Atlas square in the chest, the crackling energy sending him reeling back with a snarl of pain. It wasn't enough to bring him down, but it was enough to give Thalia a precious moment to catch her breath and prepare for the next assault.
"Keep going!" Annabeth urged, her mind racing. They had managed to land a few solid hits, but it wasn't enough. They needed something more, something that could tip the scales in their favor.
"Zoe, Bianca—focus on his legs!" Reyna shouted, falling into the rhythm of battle as she and Annabeth continued their coordinated strikes. "We need to take away his mobility!"
Zoe and Bianca nodded, their arrows flying in a rapid, almost synchronized barrage aimed at Atlas's lower body. Each arrow struck with precision, and though the Titan's hide was thick, they were starting to wear him down.
Atlas's frustration was palpable as he struggled to keep his balance, his smirk faltering for the first time since the battle began. But even as they began to gain the upper hand, they all knew that they were still on borrowed time. Atlas's strength was monstrous, and it was only a matter of time before he overwhelmed them.
Then, just as it seemed they might finally gain some ground, Atlas unleashed a roar of fury, swinging his massive arm in a wide arc. The force of the blow caught Thalia square in the chest, sending her flying back once again. She hit the ground hard, her spear slipping from her grasp as she struggled to breathe.
"Thalia!" Annabeth cried out, lunging toward her, but she was intercepted by a sweeping strike from Atlas's arm. She barely dodged it, the wind from the blow sending her tumbling back.
Zoe's heart pounded in her chest as she saw Thalia struggling to get up, her vision blurred from the impact. Atlas's gaze locked onto the daughter of Zeus, a predatory grin spreading across his face. He raised his massive arm, ready to deliver the final, crushing blow.
Time seemed to slow. Zoe's breath caught in her throat as she saw the deadly strike about to land on Thalia. Without thinking, she acted.
"Thalia, move!" Zoe shouted, but there wasn't enough time.
With a burst of speed that surprised even herself, Zoe threw down her bow and sprinted toward Thalia. She pushed Thalia out of the way just as Atlas's fist came crashing down. The force of the blow sent shockwaves through the ground, cracking the earth beneath them.
Zoe screamed as the impact hit her full force, the Titan's power slamming into her with the weight of a mountain. Pain exploded in her chest, but she managed to shove Thalia out of the way, taking the hit that had been meant to end Thalia's life.
"Zoe!" Thalia's voice was filled with horror as she watched Zoe crumple to the ground, the force of the blow leaving her motionless.
Atlas sneered, taking a step back to admire his work. "One down," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "Who's next?"
Thalia scrambled to her feet, her eyes wide with shock as she looked down at Zoe. The girl who had just saved her lay on the ground, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. Blood trickled from the corner of Zoe's mouth, but she still managed to look up at Thalia, her eyes filled with a fierce determination.
"Get up… finish it," Zoe rasped, her voice weak but unyielding.
Thalia's hands trembled as she reached out, trying to lift Zoe, but Zoe shook her head. "No… you have to… stop him," she gasped, her breath hitching in pain.
Reyna, Annabeth, and Bianca rushed over, their faces etched with worry and grief. They surrounded Zoe, their hearts heavy with the realization of what she had done.
Reyna clenched her fists, her eyes burning with anger as she glared at Atlas. "We're not leaving you behind, Zoe."
Zoe managed a small, pained smile. "You have to… I won't make it," she whispered, her voice fading. "Thalia… lead them."
Thalia shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "No… you can't—" But she knew Zoe was right. The pain in the huntresses' eyes was unmistakable. She had given everything she had to save them, and now it was up to them to finish what they had started.
"Zoe… thank you," Thalia whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
Zoe's smile widened just a fraction. "For Artemis… and all of you," she murmured, her voice barely audible. With a final, shuddering breath, Zoe's eyes fluttered shut, and her body went still.
Thalia knelt beside Zoe, cradling her in her arms as the weight of what had just happened crashed down on her. Zoe's once vibrant eyes were now closed, her chest was no longer raising, and Thalia's heart ached with a pain she had never felt before. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. Zoe wasn't supposed to die—especially, not for her, not after all the strife she had caused the huntress.
Tears welled up in Thalia's eyes, her grip tightening around Zoe's still form. "You didn't have to do this," she whispered, her voice cracking. "You shouldn't have done this…"
From where she knelt, Artemis cried out, her voice filled with a raw, ancient pain. She had seen many of her hunters fall over the millennia, but Zoe was different—Zoe had been with her for so long, one of her most loyal and beloved lieutenants. Now, she was gone, and Artemis could do nothing but watch as the life slipped away from her friend.
Atlas, towering over them with a cruel smile, sneered at their pain. "She was a fool to defy me," he rumbled, his voice cold and unfeeling. "And now she pays the price."
Thalia's head snapped up, her eyes blazing with fury. With a roar of pure rage, Thalia surged to her feet, electricity crackling around her in a dazzling display of power. Reyna, Annabeth, and Bianca followed her lead, their weapons gleaming as they faced Atlas with renewed determination. The Blessing of Bellona flared around Reyna, bolstering Thalia's strength and powers.
"You're a monster," Thalia spat, her voice trembling with rage. "A horrible, horrible father. She was your daughter, and you killed her without a second thought!"
Atlas's sneer deepened, his eyes glinting with disdain. "Daughter?" he scoffed. "Zoe ceased to be my daughter the moment she betrayed me and her heritage. She was nothing but a traitor, unworthy of my name."
Thalia's heart pounded in her chest, her rage building to a boiling point. She could feel the storm inside her, a tempest of grief and fury that threatened to consume her. The air around them crackled with energy, the sky above darkening as storm clouds gathered, drawn to Thalia's growing power.
"You don't get to decide who is worthy," Thalia snarled, her voice low and dangerous. "Zoe was worth a thousand of you, you heartless bastard."
As if responding to her fury, the storm broke loose. Lightning flashed across the sky, thunder roared, and a fierce wind whipped through the alcove, turning it into a swirling vortex of chaos. Thalia's eyes burned with anger as she directed the full force of the storm at Atlas, the winds howling and the rain lashing down in a torrential downpour.
Atlas staggered under the onslaught, his massive form reeling back as the mini hurricane battered him. For the first time, the Titan of Endurance seemed to struggle, the sheer force of Thalia's rage pushing him to lose his balance. He tried to advance, but the storm kept him at bay, lightning striking at his feet, forcing him back step by step.
What Atlas didn't notice, in his struggle against Thalia's storm, was that he was being driven backward—straight toward Artemis. The Goddess, still kneeling and weakened by her ordeal, watched the scene unfold with a glint of determination in her tear-filled eyes. She saw the opportunity Thalia's storm had created and knew exactly what needed to be done.
As Atlas stumbled closer, Bianca's sharp eyes caught on to what was happening. She moved quickly, her hands weaving through the air as she called upon the shadows. With a deft twist, she manipulated the darkness beneath Atlas's feet, causing the ground to shift and destabilize.
Just as Atlas was about to regain his footing, he found the earth giving way beneath him, his massive frame teetering dangerously. At the last possible moment, Artemis slipped away, rolling clear of the crushing weight of the sky.
Atlas realized too late what was happening. He bellowed in rage, his arms flailing as he tried to catch himself, but the momentum was too great. The Titan, thrown off balance by the storm and the shadows, toppled backward, his body slamming into the ground with a thunderous crash.
The impact sent shockwaves through the alcove, and the sky above seemed to tremble as Atlas's back connected with the ground. His arms stretched out involuntarily, just as the sky's weight settled back onto his shoulders.
Atlas roared in fury, the realization that he had been trapped once more sinking in like a dagger to the heart. He thrashed and struggled, but the weight of the sky was inescapable. The Titan's once triumphant expression twisted into one of sheer, unbridled hatred as he glared at the demigods and the goddess who had bested him.
"You will pay for this!" Atlas snarled, his voice a promise of vengeance. "I swear, by the River Styx, I will have my revenge! I will hunt you all down, and I will make you suffer for this humiliation!"
But his words were drowned out by the storm, the winds howling around him as Thalia's fury raged on. She didn't care about his threats. All she could think about was Zoe, lying still and silent, the girl who had given everything to save them.
As the storm began to die down, the group gathered around Zoe, their hearts heavy with grief. Silena slowly made her way over to the group, her expression a mix of relief and sorrow. Annabeth noticed her approach first, her eyes widening in a mix of surprise and relief to see the older girl alive. But that relief was tempered by the white streak in Silena's hair—a stark reminder of the unimaginable weight she had borne, even for a short time.
Annabeth offered Silena a sad smile as she reached them. "You made it," she said quietly, her voice trembling with emotion. "We were so worried."
Silena managed a small, weary smile in return, but her gaze quickly shifted to the still form of Zoe in Thalia's arms. The sight of their fallen huntress sent a fresh wave of grief crashing over her. She knelt down beside Thalia, placing a gentle hand on Zoe's cold forehead. Silena felt guilty for many things. For falling for Luke's tricks, for causing Artemis to sacrifice herself for Silena, for having treated Zoe so bad simply because she was a huntress. But Silena now understands that there are many faces to love, and simply because huntresses give their back on romantic love, does not mean they do not know love and sacrifice.
"She saved us all," Silena whispered, her voice thick with unshed tears. "She knew what was at stake, and she did not hesitate."
Artemis, now free from the burden of holding the sky, approached the group with a solemn grace. The Goddess's usual air of cool detachment was gone, replaced by a deep, visible sorrow as she looked down at her fallen lieutenant. Zoe had been more than just a huntress to Artemis—she had been a loyal friend, a confidante, and one of the few beings in the world who had truly understood her.
Artemis knelt beside Thalia and Silena, her silver eyes filled with unshed tears as she reached out to cradle Zoe's body in her arms. The Goddess's touch was gentle, reverent, as if she were handling the most delicate of treasures. For a long moment, Artemis simply held Zoe, her gaze never leaving the girl's peaceful face.
"You were the bravest of us all," Artemis whispered, her voice trembling with the weight of centuries of loss. "You never faltered, never wavered in your loyalty, even when faced with the greatest of dangers. You were a true friend, Zoe, and I will never forget your sacrifice."
The others watched in silence, their hearts aching as they saw the raw emotion on Artemis's face. It was a rare thing to see a God so vulnerable, so openly grieving, but there was no mistaking the bond that had existed between the Goddess and her lieutenant. It was clear that Zoe had been more than just another huntress in Artemis's eyes—she had been family.
Artemis's gaze softened as she looked down at Zoe's still form, her fingers brushing a strand of hair away from the girl's face. "You loved the stars, Zoe," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "You always said they were the only things that could truly guide us, that they never lied. It's only fitting that you join them now."
With those words, Artemis began to chant softly in the ancient tongue of the Gods, her voice carrying a melody that seemed to resonate with the very fabric of the universe. The air around them shimmered with a soft, ethereal light, and the drizzle that had been falling from the sky suddenly stopped, as if the world itself were holding its breath.
Slowly, Zoe's body began to glow with a soft, silvery light, the edges of her form blurring as if she were dissolving into the very air around her. The light grew brighter and brighter until it was almost too much to look at, and then, with a final, blinding flash, Zoe's body vanished.
When the light faded, the sky above them was clear, the storm clouds having parted to reveal a night sky filled with stars. And there, among the constellations, was a new formation—a figure that stood tall and proud, a bow in her hand, an arrow drawn and ready to fire. It was the constellation of the Huntress, Zoe's final resting place among the stars she had loved so much.
The group stared up at the sky, their grief momentarily overshadowed by the awe and reverence they felt. Zoe's sacrifice would not be forgotten—she would live on, a beacon of bravery and loyalty for all to see.
"She'll always be watching over us," Annabeth said softly, her voice filled with a mix of sadness and pride.
Thalia nodded, tears streaming down her face as she looked up at the constellation. "She deserves this," she whispered. "She deserves to be remembered."
Reyna placed a comforting hand on Thalia's shoulder, her own eyes filled with unshed tears. "We'll make sure of it," she said firmly. "Zoe's story will be told, and she'll be honored for the hero she was."
Artemis stood, her expression one of quiet resolve as she gazed up at the constellation of the Huntress. "You will always have a place among the stars, Zoe," she said, her voice carrying a note of finality. "And you will never be forgotten."
As the group stood together, their eyes fixed on the night sky. And as they turned to leave, the constellation of the Huntress shone brightly above them.