As he emerged onto the plateau, Prometheus was astounded by the sheer strangeness of his surroundings. It was as if this central flat area had nothing to do with the rest of the mountain, or indeed with the rest of the world. One of the huge silver fishes stood off to one side still now, resting. Nearby was the swarm of beetles standing in a neat line, ready to fly away. He shuddered, remembering Athena's invitation to him to get inside one.

In the centre was the weird, ...