Page 152 of Styx

Pallas and Perses both startled at this.

‘But what if she is doing something

that threatens the order of things?’

asked Perses, his deep voice rumbling.

Asteria stared at him as though

seeing him in a different light

for the very first time.

Atlas gave him an unexpected smile.

‘If she is disturbing the order

of things, then perhaps the order

is meant to be disturbed.’

At this, all three male divinities

looked perplexed.

But Leto, Asteria, and I understood

precisely what Atlas was suggesting.

Our fates were already written.

Metis could only do

what her destiny demanded.

Fate was inescapable, even for Goddesses.

I raised my head to look at Atlas.

‘If it is meant to be,’ I said quietly,

‘we will not stop her.

Please tell us where she is.’

Atlas thoughtfully picked

a star from a nearby tree.

‘You must travel

to the place where the light

and the darkness meet.’

Another riddle. I sighed.

Was this entire journey