In answer, Atlas’s rasping laugh boomed. His foot sank to the ground with a deafeningcrash.
He had managed to kick Trivia.
“You fools,” he snarled. The ground trembled as he moved, no longer restrained by Trivia’s vines. “You think blinding me changed anything?”
Trivia was gasping, struggling to draw air. She needed tomove. But something pressed on her chest, cutting off her breaths. Hot liquid ran down her side—blood.
Sol’s sun magic burst in the air, igniting the sky. The ground shook, and Sol cried out.
“No!” Trivia screamed, blood bubbling from her lips. “Comeon!” she growled at herself. She managed to roll, her shoulder throbbing and agony making her limbs quiver. When she was on her stomach, she tried drawing her legs up to rise on all fours. But gods, herleg… It was surely broken. She couldn’t even stand, let alone walk.
She couldn’t get to Sol.
Tears streamed down her face. “Sol!”
She waited for him to answer, to assure her he was still alive. But there was nothing but silence. Until?—
Another scream echoed, but it wasn’t Sol or Atlas. It was a woman, and her voice was familiar.
Trivia stilled, her eyes growing wide. Sheknewthat voice.
It was her sister, Mona.
“Mona?” Trivia called. Then, louder, “Mona!”
Atlas moved, and the earth quivered, making Trivia slide sideways. Her head lolled, and she couldn’t stop herself from shifting in the dirt. Her head met something hard, and she groaned as that same darkness threatened to take over, to pull her under.
Stay awake,she commanded.Stay awake!
“Be silent, witch goddess,” Atlas snarled, his voice closer than before. His foul breath stung her nostrils, and she knew his head was close by. Maybe she could grab a branch and shove it down his throat.
Then, his words sank in.Be silent.
He didn’t want her calling out for Mona. But… why?
Trivia spat blood onto the ground, then barked, “Where are your other Titan friends? Fighting you is too easy, and I need a challenge.”
Atlas growled, the sound rumbling through her. Oh yes, he was definitely close now. Even blind, he could easily follow the sound of her jeering voice and crush her.
But she had to keep going. She had to know…
“Well?” Trivia challenged. “Where are they? Or are they already dead? I wouldn’t be surprised.”
“I am not alone!” Atlas bellowed. “My brothers are here. But I am strong enough to defeat you on my own.”
“Liar,” Trivia said with a wheezing laugh. She spit out more blood, then crooned, “Where are you, Titans? Show yourself before I cut off Atlas’s head!”
A crash echoed, and cracks spread from the ground. Atlas had slammed something heavy into the earth—his fist, perhaps?
“I do not need them!” Atlas shouted. “Besides, they have better things to do than argue with a dying goddess.”
“I don’t believe you!” Trivia said. “I bet my sisters killed them.”
“No!” Atlas roared. “It’s impossible. Without you—” He stopped abruptly, but a triumphant smile spread across Trivia’s face.
That was it. The Titans were keeping her apart from her sisters.
Gods above,Trivia realized.The power of the Triple Goddess…
