As Percy and Annabeth leave Olympus, Percy notices Hermes watching mortal news through an Iris-message. The reports explain away Typhon’s destruction and the damage in Manhattan as natural disasters, which leads Hermes to reflect bitterly on the power of the Mist and the ignorance of mortals.

Percy apologizes to Hermes for judging him as a bad father. Hermes admits that he knew Luke’s fate but could not interfere without making it worse. Percy argues that Luke ultimately understood his role and died a hero, but Hermes reveals that Kronos is not truly dead; the Titan has been scattered so completely that he may never reform, while the other Titans have fled or gone into hiding.

Hermes grieves that Luke died believing his father did not care, but Percy urges Hermes to honor Luke by recognizing and helping his other demigod children. Though Hermes doubts the gods can keep their promises forever, Percy insists they can change. Hermes gives Percy names of unclaimed children and asks him to help bring them to camp.

On the way out, Athena confronts Percy about refusing immortality. Percy admits he wants to remain mortal and cannot leave Annabeth, Grover, and the others behind. Athena acknowledges that Percy may have saved both his friends and the world, but warns him not to mishandle what comes next before vanishing in fire.

Percy rejoins Annabeth, and they descend to the Empire State Building lobby, where Sally and Paul anxiously reunite with them. The relief is interrupted when Nico rushes in with urgent news: Rachel has taken Blackjack and is heading to Half-Blood Hill despite Nico warning that she could die if she tries to reach camp.