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In the mess hall, Leo regrets showing live Camp Half-Blood scenes as homesickness and his disturbing dream linger. Jason leads a strategy talk. Nico reports he communed with the dead and describes the House of Hades as the Necromanteion, where pilgrims once sought the dead through descending tunnels and potions, often at great risk.

Leo recounts his dream of a dark giant and a dangerous woman on Half-Blood Hill. Nico identifies the giant as Clytius, slain once by Hecate using fire; thus, fire is his weakness. Hazel reveals Hecate warned of a formidable witch in the House whom only Hazel can defeat with magic she has yet to master.

They assess timing: it’s July fifth, with Gaea’s wake-up planned for August first at the Feast of Spes. Frank adds unease about the seventh month as “ghost month,” when living and dead mingle, fitting their quest for the Doors of Death. The team resolves to reach Epirus in four to five days, assuming no delays.

The ship suddenly lurches. The wall displays flicker from Camp scenes to the deck, revealing chaos: Piper is bound to the helm, gagged; Coach Hedge is bound at the mast while a gnome-like dwarf toys with his hair. Another dwarf raids the deck, stuffing loot into a sack and prying the Archimedes sphere from the console. With Piper and Hedge captive and vital gear stolen, Leo bolts for the stairs to confront the intruders.