Percy continues his wrestling match against Geras, whom Percy calls Gary, but the god of old age easily dominates him. Percy tries to push, twist, and escape, yet Geras repeatedly pins, locks, and injures him while mocking the idea that anyone can run from old age.

Annabeth and Grover try to help by shouting commentary and objections from the sidelines, distracting Geras just enough for Percy to slip out of holds. Geras warns them not to interfere and threatens to declare the match void and turn all three into husks if they intervene again.

Percy searches for a strategy and attempts to call on the power of the sea, but the effort produces only a distant manhole geyser. Geras throws Percy across the playground, and Percy survives only because Annabeth’s frightened cry sharpens his reflexes enough for him to catch the play structure and land on his feet.

Geras attacks again and drives Percy into a tetherball pole, slowly crushing him. As Percy thinks about breaking his promise never to leave Annabeth, he begins to reconsider what old age means. Memories of Jason’s hopeful dream of growing old with Piper and Paul’s comment that aging beats the alternative help Percy understand that growing older with loved ones is worth wanting.

Percy realizes he cannot defeat Old Age by wrestling it, because every mortal who survives long enough must face it. Instead of fighting Geras, Percy loosens his grip, wraps his arms around the god, and embraces him, ending the chapter by telling Geras that he loves him.