Percy dreams of Rachel Elizabeth Dare in her Brooklyn loft, angrily throwing darts at a painting of Percy after his battle with Antaeus. Rachel argues with her father, who wants her to leave for St. Thomas and dismisses her troubles as unhealthy influences or possible need for therapy. After Mr. Dare leaves, Rachel studies troubling drawings: Luke as a young boy and the Empire State Building under storm clouds, with an army gathering at its base.

The next morning, Percy wants to call Rachel but cannot safely use a phone without attracting monsters. At breakfast and during cabin inspections with Annabeth, Percy reads grim reports of monster attacks, failed recruitment, and missing allies, including Thalia and the Hunters. Silena remains devastated by Beckendorf's death, while the Ares and Apollo cabins fight over a captured flying chariot, weakening camp unity as war approaches.

In Athena cabin, Percy and Annabeth share an awkward, tense moment while Annabeth cleans her own messy bunk. Beckendorf and Silena's relationship makes Annabeth reflect on losing people who matter, but Percy's nervous response misses what Annabeth is really trying to say. When Percy mentions future summers, Percy immediately realizes the comment is painfully uncertain because the prophecy and the coming war may leave none of them alive.

After reading a report addressed to Grover about nature spirits being attacked in Canada, Percy worries about Grover, who has been missing for two months despite Percy and others trying to reach him. Percy then tells Annabeth about the dream of Rachel's drawings. Annabeth reasons that Kronos would use Typhon to distract the gods and strike Olympus directly, but Annabeth grows angry and hurt when Percy brings up Rachel and his fear of the prophecy, accusing Percy of running away and suggesting Percy should go on vacation with Rachel.

That afternoon, the campers gather to burn Beckendorf's metal burial shroud. The chain-mail shroud melts into golden smoke while the campfire burns black with grief. After Annabeth leaves without speaking to Percy, Percy comforts Silena by telling Silena that Beckendorf carried Silena's picture into battle and loved her deeply.

Percy then urges Clarisse to honor Beckendorf by bringing the Ares cabin back into the war. Clarisse refuses unless Apollo cabin gives Ares the captured chariot, insisting her cabin has been disrespected too often. Percy considers whether Clarisse could be the camp spy but doubts it fits her nature; after Chris fails to calm Clarisse, Percy heads toward the sword-fighting arena for a break and to see an old friend.