Maybe Prometheus was toying with my mind.

 

But what if he's right? part of me wondered. How are the gods any better than

the Titans?

 

Prometheus tapped the lid of Pandora's jar. "Only one spirit remained inside

when Pandora opened it."

 

"Hope," I said.

 

Prometheus looked pleased. "Very good, Percy. Elpis, the Spirit of Hope, would

not abandon humanity. Hope does not leave without being given permission. She

can only be released by a child of man."

 

The Titan slid the jar across the table.

 

"I give you this as a reminder of what the gods are like," he said. "Keep Elpis,

if you wish. But if you decide that you have seen enough destruction, enough

futile suffering, then open the jar. Let Elpis go.

 

Give up Hope, and 1 will know that you are surrendering. 1 promise Kronos will

be lenient. He will spare the survivors."

 

I stared at the jar and got a very bad feeling. I figured Pandora had been