Percy, Annabeth, and Grover arrive at Washington Square Park before dawn with mochi donuts and precautions against concentrated nectar. Annabeth opens the vial, and three glowing nectar droplets drift in different directions, forcing the group to split up despite Percy’s misgivings.

Percy follows his droplet to the children’s play area, where the park feels unnaturally empty and still. The bubble climbs the play structure and bursts into flame. Percy sees Grover frozen near an elm tree and Annabeth transfixed by a chess game, making it clear that something has separated and slowed them.

An ancient, withered god appears and reveals himself as Gary, or Geras, the god of old age. Geras explains that his power resembles Kronos’s ability to stretch time, and he produces Ganymede’s stolen chalice. Percy realizes Geras stole it because the cup can grant immortality, which Geras sees as a violation of mortal life’s natural purpose.

Geras says he expected Percy to understand because Percy once rejected immortality. Percy sympathizes with the idea that mortals should not become gods but argues that Ganymede was also a victim, since Zeus took him and made him immortal. Geras rejects Percy’s defense of Ganymede and threatens to reduce Percy and his friends to grave dust.

To avoid immediate destruction, Percy asks for a bargain. Geras offers the same trial he once gave Hercules: Percy must defeat the god of old age in wrestling. If Percy wins, he gets the chalice; if Geras wins, Percy will be turned into powdered bone.