Chapter 34


                “You’re…..losing.” Hunter choked out. “Quit…Won’t…Hurt…You.” He said, noticing Kyle creeping up behind her. She laughed at Hunter.
                “You won’t hurt me? Oh, no. I’ll watch out.” She said with another cackle. Kyle finally reached her and knocked her in the head with the end of his scythe. She dropped Hunter and turned around to look at Kyle. “That was a mistake, boy.” She said before waving her hand. Kyle’s scythe skidded off to one side as she waved her hand again. He slid along the ground again and Hunter saw that he was close to the arrow that had fallen to the ground. Hunter rubbed his neck as he stood back up and quickly ran toward Kyle. He tried to grab the arrow, but something stopped him. “Not so fast, Hunter. Come. Give Philippa a kiss.” She turned him around and Hunter started floating toward her. He was getting closer and closer as she drew her knife. She was waving it menacingly in the air and Hunter felt like this was the end.
                “Hunter! Catch!” Kyle shouted before tossing the arrow of Eros at Hunter. Hunter caught it and quickly slashed Philippa in the throat. There was a strong wind that blew Hunter back on his feet and immediately died down. He watched in amazement as another old woman dropped to her knees and then fell flat on the ground. Hunter was suddenly blinded by a brief flash of light and when he could see again the woman was gone. Philippa floated into the air and glowed just like Lily and Odessa had.
                “Philippa!” Hunter shouted before running over and catching her. He set her down on the ground gently. He brushed the hair out of her face and made sure she was still alive before standing up. He glanced around to see Kyle standing near the unconscious body of Atlas and Marina, holding up the sky.  He ran over and knelt down by Atlas. “We need to get him awake so that he can take his job back.” He looked more closely at the ring around Atlas’ neck. He drew his knife and sliced the rope the ring was tied to. Hunter kicked the ring away and watched as Atlas started to regain his previous appearance. He waited for him to wake up. He looked at Marina who was becoming shakier. “Come on! Wake up!” Hunter shouted. Nothing. Atlas was out cold. He looked at Kyle and then Marina. He looked back at Philippa briefly who was still unconscious. “Kyle, he’s not waking up.” He said quietly before swallowing. He stepped forward toward Marina. “Get ready to catch her.” Before Kyle could stop him, Hunter stepped forward and pushed Marina out of the way. A sharp pain shot up his spine as he dropped to one knee and held up the sky. He let out a cry of pain and cringed as the sky pushed down on him. He was able to see the action play out in front of him, but was helpless to do anything. He watched as Kyle helped Marina up and they walked around Hunter, frantically trying to find a solution. He also watched as Atlas started to wake up.
                The titan stood up and exchanged words with Kyle and Marina that Hunter couldn’t make out. He watched as a fight between the three of them broke out. He wanted to scream. He wanted to help out. He couldn’t do either. He closed his eyes and prayed to Artemis that she would help in some way. Suddenly he felt an impact against his side. He fell to the ground and looked at Kyle who had taken his place. Marina was holding her own against the titan.
                “Hey, ugly.” He said quietly as he managed to stand up. He caught his breath as Atlas looked at him, giving Marina a short break. He drew his knives. Atlas laughed.
                “You’re not even a half-blood. You’re mortal! I am a titan!” He said turning to him. Hunter gave Marina a nod which said ‘take a break.’ She protested, but eventually relaxed and caught her breath. Atlas gritted his teeth and swung at Hunter. Hunter dodged and sliced his knives along his arms. The Titan turned and swung at him a few times. Hunter was forced to dodge around Kyle who was still holding up the sky. After another swing from Atlas, Hunter had to catch himself from falling backward into Kyle. Atlas chuckled before shoving him back under the sky. Hunter cried out as he caught the sky again. He watched in agony as Atlas turned to Kyle who was still weak. He couldn’t turn to see what happened, but he saw Marina drawing her hand cannon. A fireball shot out and zoomed past Hunter. Kyle carefully walked toward Marina on shaky legs. Hunter could see her feed him a little bit of nectar and immediately he looked better. The two of them turned and looked at Atlas who was walking out in front of Hunter. Marina turned a series of knobs on her cannon and Kyle stepped forward with his scythe drawn.  Kyle stamped it on the ground and thick green vines shot up and tightly wrapped Atlas’ feet and hands. He easily broke out of them and started to walk toward them. Kyle stamped his scythe again and even more vines came out, focusing on Atlas’ feet. Kyle ran forward and hit Atlas hard with his scythe knocking him back a step. Hunter saw Marina shout something to Kyle who looked at her and dove out of the way. She fired her cannon and a massive ball of fire which made the cannon’s barrel explode shot out toward Atlas. It impacted with him and blew him back into Hunter who flew a feet and landed on the ground, unconscious.