Atlas AtlaV Atlas


Atlas is the giant whose enormous strength holds up the entire universe. The source of his strength is a jewel in his forehead, and to maintain his support of the universe he sits on a throne in deep meditation.

The jewel itself has other properties that make it very desirable to the myriad minor gods of Olympus. It holds all the knowledge of the universe and any god who owns it can govern Olympus. The problem is that any god who approaches Atlas would cause him to wake up and come out of his meditations. Should that happen the universe would be destroyed.

In At the Heart of the Universe, Mercurius, grandson of the gods, tricks Ulysses into getting the jewel in exchange for the route to Earth. Everything appears to be going to Mercurius's plan as Ulysses approaches and starts to climb Atlas without disturbing him. However, Atlas starts to wake up as Ulysses continues to climb and by the time he has reached the jewel and removed it Atlas is fully awake. Realising he has been tricked Ulysses has to race against time to re-fit the jewel as the universe starts to disintegrate all around him.