the titan, the traitor and the weight of the sky

˗ˏˋ꒰ 🏖 ꒱

ع˖⁺ ☁⋆ ୭ 🕊.⋆｡⋆༶⋆˙⊹

DR. THORN HAD RECOVERED mostly when they finally touched down on a grassy field. Dried bits of silver from the acid of Andromeda's dagger were still hanging on his fur like solidified solder, which clinked against one another when he moved - a constant reminder of what Andromeda had done to him.

He growled as the silver beads jingled once more, forcefully grabbing the girl's arm as he dragged her down from the helicopter, towards a run-down yet grand looking temple, which had been obliterated into bits.

Her head felt woozy due to the lack of oxygen as she glanced below Mount Tamalpais, the scenic view interrupted harshly by another violent tug by Dr. Thorn.

Andromeda huffed loudly, skipping slightly to match the larger manticore's pace as he led her further into the temple, nearly tripping over some fallen stones.

"Sooo..." She began lightly. "You're taking me to your big boss?"

"It would be best," The manticore rumbled, narrowing his eyes at her. "That you keep your mouth shut."

The girl nodded disinterestedly, glancing around at her surroundings. "Sure, sure." She hummed as they halted in the middle of a room. "But honestly, what a run-down place this is. I mean, you guys clearly need some renovation. Perhaps the Athena kids could help?" She gasped, her free hand flying up to her mouth to cover it in mock remembrance. "Oh, right! Is your budget perhaps too low for that? Kronos is obviously cutting your wages to gorge himself on the finer things in life-"

The larger creature's tail flicked aggravatedly, as he roared, towering over the halfblood, baring his sharp teeth at her.

"Watch - your - words." He hissed out, eyes alight with manic fury. "I could tear your limbs off one by one and watch as you beg for mercy-"

"Enough," A voice rumbled from above them, as Dr. Thorn whimpered and shied away from Andromeda. "That is not how we treat our... guests."

A pair of unblinking blue orbs glowed in the darkness above them, as a pair of large feet rose from a nearby throne. As the being took a earth-shuddering step forward, he shrunk, becoming mortal-sized, as he regarded the captive hungrily, a condescending and cruel smirk on his lips.

Andromeda had to admit; Atlas was quite handsome. He had perfectly tanned, smooth milk-chocolate skin, with slicked-back dark hair and a muscular build that was sure to make any woman swoon. Adjusting the sleeves of his expensive silk suit, he took another, less earth-shuddering step towards her and Dr. Thorn, the latter bowing deeply as his whole body trembled slightly.

"Welcome to my humble abode." Atlas began in a voice that made Andromeda weak in the knees. "You are here as my... glorified guest, slash captive."

"Great," The girl replied weakly. "Um, that's cool."

The Titan smirked slightly, casually cupping her face in his large hand as he tilted her head left and right. He hummed slightly, the halfblood shivering slightly as she felt the vibrations travel from his palm to her body.

̶S̶̶i̶̶m̶̶p̶.

"You are certainly an interesting demigod." He mused lightly, letting go of Andromeda's face, who frowned at the sudden lack of warmth. "So determined to save the children of the Gods, and yet so... submissive towards a Titan."

"Both sides were good looking," The girl blurted out, staring dazedly at the Titan, her eyes hooded and hazed slightly. " 'm mostly neutral though."

Dr. Thorn scoffed lightly beside her, faltering slightly as he felt his master's piercing gaze land on him.

"The disappointment returns," Atlas mused lightly, turning towards the manticore. "Tell me, Thorn, how do you manage to not kill a single demigod?" He hissed, Andromeda mentally swooning behind him. Gods help me, he's so hot.

"M-mercy, my lord!" The manticore gulped. "T-the Hunters were there! They wounded me! But I brought back a prisoner-"

"NO EXCUSES!" The Titan roared, flinging the monster away from him, who screeched as he crashed into a broken pillar nearby. "You have failed me, Thorn." He growled. "Again, and again!"

A pathetic groan interrupted his 'villain monologue', as all eyes turned towards the source.

"Ah, yes," The Titan calmed down, walking to a boy crouching nearby, his blonde mop of hair obscuring Andromeda's view of him, his arms trembling as he held something in the air. "How could I forget such an important demigod?"

Andromeda's blood went cold as the boy lifted his face with effort, staring at the tiny white scar that adorned his pale grey lips.

Luke Castellan's pain filled gaze stared right back up at her, ice blue eyes digging deep into her soul.

"The traitor..." She breathed slightly, kneeling down gently on the floor.

"Yes..." Atlas murmured, gripping her shoulder tightly as Luke groaned once more, dropping his head and grunting with effort. "Andromeda Miller, meet Luke Castellan, Kronos' closest right-hand man."

"Help..." He wheezed, sweat dripping from his chin and forming a tiny puddle on the marble floor. "Help me."

"Will you help take on the burden?" Atlas hummed beside her, his voice resounding loudly in her head. "Choose, young one." His hot breath fanned her ear, leaving it tingling with the sensation.

"Sorry big guy," She breathed. "But he doesn't deserve to be helped."

The Titan tensed beside her, rumbling quietly as Luke continued to shiver, his body drooping lower and lower like a single wilting sprout.

"So be it," Atlas sighed, before Andromeda felt his calloused palm shoving her towards the blonde.

The darkness above Luke began to crumble, as huge chunks of obsidian-black rock began falling, directly onto the halfblood's back. Groaning with effort, she winced as the rocks cut deeply into the skin of her palms, before something else came crashing down on her.

Red and white lined her vision as her arms and her neck, arms and spine screamed with the effort of holding up the sky. It was like a fire was spreading inside her body, slowly consuming her whole as she struggled to breathe. The way Percy had described it in the books was nothing compared to the real feeling.

Unconsciously, Andromeda began to tear up from the pain and effort, salty droplets falling from her eyes as they slowly rolled down her face and splashed onto the ground.

"You look prettier when you cry," Atlas mused, softly wiping away her tears. "It's rather adorable."

"Weirdo," Andromeda wheezed lightly.

Luke let go of the weight of the sky, rolling free as he gasped for air. "Thanks," He said smugly, dusting himself off as another nearby demigod handed him a bottle of water.

"Bitch," She choked out, her vision blurring as Luke stumbled away from the temple, hungrily drinking the water.

"Do not fret, my little songbird." Atlas cooed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "That weight shall be taken off your back in a while. In the meantime, stay alive." With that, he walked off, Dr. Thorn stumbling after his heels, tottering on his four legs.

Andromeda was left alone in the darkness, like a songbird in a cage.

𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄 ▬▬▬ ahem yall can probably see why i said 'suggestive scenes' 🤭 i can't help it omfg atlas is highkey hot- before i forget andromeda's mental age is like 19 so ig its normal for her to act like that? and atlas ofc is a millennial 😔 so hes used to girls getting married at young ages?