𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐘
𝒂𝒖𝒓𝒐𝒓𝒂'𝒔 𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔

❛ they are the most important
people in the world to me,
how couldn't I think of them? ❜

                         𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐑𝐀'𝐒 𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒, 𝕿his wasn't the first time Aurora felt this way—as though her body was burning from the inside out. She had her fair share of experiences with this pain due to Nate's overwhelming power leaving her practically immobilized after he used it to save her. Yet even those moments couldn't prepare her for this feeling as though her body was being ripped apart and dozens of knifes were stabbing into her already frail and shaking body. If this was what Atlas had to endure, Aurora understood his hatred for the gods.

                         The pain was so intense it made her unaware of the time that had passed. It felt like she'd been carrying the sky for an eternity. Even though it was likely only a couple of minutes, yet even then the shaking and burning of her forearms gave her the impression that her body was moments away from giving up. Her usual trick of trying to distract herself from the pain by focusing on a single bead of sweat dripping down her face was growing futile . . . She truly was moments away from crumbling.

She'd only wished she was able to locate Nate, the same man that wouldn't hesitate to protect her from the dark world around them. The last she'd seen of him was when she took the burden of carrying the sky and noticing he had no energy to him at all, she sincerely hoped he was doing alright. Even hearing his baritone voice would make her feel at ease. Something she realized she was growing accustomed to when she spent her nights on his signature cliff overlooking the massive hole. It was authoritative, something she only remembered in the voices of the gods when she had visited Olympus as a field trip. He spoke to others like they needed to listen, but spoke to her as if he wanted her to.

                         He reminded her of her father, in a weird way. Like in the way they both looked at her, like she was their entire world—or the way they protected her to shield her from the outside world so it wouldn't taint her natured good soul. Maybe it was Nate's duty to protect her, but even Aurora could tell the man cared for her like she was his own.

Another person on her mind was Annabeth, her best friend. The same girl she met by chance but immediately formed an unbreakable bond with. The same girl that was looked as though the world itself was a problem and only she knew the solution. A formidable demigod with a thirst for knowledge to set the world a light. Aurora knew her best friend was destined for greatness, Annabeth just had that look in her eye—like she wouldn't give up even if the world told her to.

Where Annabeth was the builder Aurora was the dreamer, with her head in the clouds and an endless positive energy bundled up with her. They fit together like missing puzzle pieces. And Aurora believed she'd be nothing without her best friend ( sister )

Then came Percy.

The mere thought of the boy made Aurora grit her teeth and push against the sky, she didn't know where the newfound energy came from, but she'd probably have to thank a certain Son of Poseidon for it.

Percy was . . . everything. With his stupid good looks, and his goofy boyish grin—he was everything and so much more. A boy with a heart of gold, worthy of being a hero. With kindness radiating through his soul despite how wary everyone became around him at learning how powerful he could possibly be. Yet, even then he came into Auroras life wreaking havoc everywhere he stepped . . . Including her thunderous heart.

It wasn't fair, she should curse her mother for her feelings. She didn't deserve him, he was far too good.

Her body buckled almost collapsing altogether forcing a sharp cry to leave her lips.

"How is our mortal guest?" a male voice boomed.

Atlas, Aurora guessed.

Luke emerged from the shadows. He ran to Aurora, knelt beside her, then looked back at the unseen man. "She's fading. We must hurry."

Aurora wanted to pull away from Luke's hand as they rested on her face but she couldn't. She couldn't even do that with her energy at an all-time low. Mind you she was still bleeding from the cut on her side.

"L-Luke!" Aurora groaned. "You filthy piece of garbage! What is s-someone . . ." She took in a deep shaky breath. "What . . . Is someone l-like Justin Hammer doing working with the l-likes of you?"

"I told you Aurora," he whispered. "We have ally's in places the Stark's don't even touch," he turned back to the man. "Her wounds ripped open. She needs to heal, fast!"

"L-Like you care!"

The deep voice chuckled. It belonged to someone in the shadows. Aurora tried to lift her head, but merely couldn't.

Then a meaty hand thrust someone forward into the light—Artemis—her hands and feet bound in celestial bronze chains. Her silvery dress was torn and tattered. Her face and arms were cut in several places, and she was bleeding ichor, the golden blood of the gods.

"You heard the boy," said the man in the shadows. "Decide!"

Artemis's eyes flashed with anger. The goddess looked at Aurora and her expression changed to concern and outrage."How dare you torture a maiden like this!"

"She will die soon," Luke said. "You can save her."

Artemis glanced at Aurora, "Where is Nathaniel? He shall heal her."

The voice from before chuckled, "The protector is none of your concern."

At hearing the sound of Nate's voice Aurora made a weak sound of protest.

"Free my hands," Artemis said.

"N-No" she managed. "I-I can do it!"

Artemis shook her head, "No, child. You are on the brink of death. Nathaniel would not like to see his prodigy in such a way."

Luke brought out his sword, Backbiter. With one expert strike, he broke the goddess's handcuffs. Artemis ran to Aurora despite the younger girl's protest and took the burden from her shoulders.

Aurora wasn't going to deny that the feeling of not having to carry the sky was a relief. She fell to the floor. She groaned and brought her hand towards the now open wounds on her stomach and shivered. Her body now shaking with utter relief at the feeling of not having to carry a million tons.

Artemis staggered, trying to support the weight of the black rocks.

The man in the shadows chuckled. "You are as predictable as you were easy to beat, Artemis."

"You surprised me," the goddess said, straining under her burden. "It will not happen again."

"Indeed it will not," the man said. "Now you are out of the way for good! I knew you could not resist helping a young maiden. That is, after all, your specialty, my dear."

Artemis groaned, "You know nothing of mercy, you swine."

"On that," the man said, "we can agree. Luke, you may kill the girl now."

From somewhere around them a primal roar echoes throughout the place. Sending small pieces of rock falling down around them.

The male glanced at Luke who slightly frowned, "He's angry."

Luke hesitated. "She—she may yet be useful, sir. Further bait."

"Bah! You truly believe that?"

"Yes, General. They will come for her. I'm sure. Besides, it's not a bad idea to have her bait the protector"

The man considered. "Then the dracaenae can guard her here. Assuming she does not die from her injuries, you may keep her alive until winter solstice. After that, if our sacrifice goes as planned, her life will be meaningless. The lives of all mortals will be meaningless."

Luke gathered up Aurora's listless body and carried her away from the goddess.

"You will never find the monster you seek," Artemis said. "Your plan will fail."

"How little you know, my young goddess," the man in the shadows said. "Even now, your darling attendants begin their quest to find you. They shall play directly into my hands. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have a long journey to make. We must greet your Hunters and make sure their quest is... challenging."

The man's laughter echoed in the darkness, shaking the ground until it seemed the whole cavern ceiling would collapse.

— NAT TALKS !

Short chapter in im sorry! Hopefully you like it!

Theories? Concerns? Questions?

Also, Don't worry guys we'll soon see both Percy's and Tony's reaction to Aurora being kidnapped, but first I want to get through Aurora's point of view (:

❛ allure me. ❜ ༢ ͎۪۫ ༊*·˚ ╱
❪ the prodigy, 𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅 book. ❫
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