𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐄

𝐗𝐗

I should've asked you questions
I should've asked you how to be
Asked you to write it down for me

𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒋𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆, taylor swift

The horrible thing was: you could easily see the family resemblance.

Atlas had the same regal expression as Zoe, the same cold proud look in his eyes that Zoe sometimes got when she was mad, though on him it looked a thousand times more evil.

Despite sharing Asian heritage, Selene didn't bear a strong resemblance to Hyperion, save for their shared distinctive eyes. While Selene's features were typically calm and composed, Hyperion's face was etched with a perpetual scowl, mirroring Selene's expression when she was angered.

"Let Artemis go," Zoe demanded.

Atlas walked closer to the chained goddess. "Perhaps you'd like to take the sky for her, then? Be my guest."

Zoe opened her mouth to speak, but Artemis said, "No! Do not offer, Zoe! I forbid you."

Selene looked at Annabeth. She was desperately trying to tell her something. She motioned her head toward Hyperion, and muttered, human.

"I will."

All eyes fell upon her, yet Selene remained fixed on the jar clutched in Hyperion's grasp. It contained her memories—the woman she'd seen at the beach. One of the most powerful Titans of all time.

Percy's grip tightened on her arm. "What are you thinking? Are you out of your mind?"

Her gaze remained fixed on the jar as she replied softly, "Stop, Perce. I must bear this burden."

Hyperion smirked. He walked over to Selene's direction and tried to touch her face, but she bit at him, almost taking off his fingers.

"Hoo-hoo," Hyperion chuckled darkly. "Ah, spirited, just like your mother. You'll come to enjoy your role, my dear. And fear not, if you choose to join us, it needn't be permanent."

Atlas added, "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?"

Atlas laughed. "How little you understand, young one. 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."