>I didn't wait for [Artemis'] answer. I took out Riptide and slashed through her chains. Then I stepped next to her and braced myself on one knee-holding up my hands-and touched the cold, heavy clouds. For a moment, Artemis and I bore the weight together. It was the heaviest thing I'd ever felt, as if I were being crushed under a thousand trucks. I wanted to black out from the pain, but I breathed deeply. *I can do this.*

>Then Artemis slipped out from under the burden, and I held it alone.

>Afterward, I tried many times to explain what it felt like. I couldn't.

>Every muscle in my body turned to fire. My bones felt like they were melting. I wanted to scream, but I didn't have the strength to open my mouth. I began to sink, lower and lower to the ground, the sky's weight crushing me.

*pgs. 268-269 TC*