Contents
LXXVI
Overview
The demigods overwhelm Clytius, and Hecate finishes him, warning that all giants have risen and Gaea nears waking. As the House of Hades collapses, Hazel and Nico shadow-travel the group to safety. Reunited on the surface, they regroup, confirm Frank’s new praetor status, and receive the Argo II—bearing Reyna.
Summary
Hazel and her friends surround Clytius and attack from all sides. Nico cuts away the giant’s darkness while Jason shatters Clytius’s breastplate, forcing him to his knees. Hecate steps in, plunges her torches into him, and burns Clytius to ash, while he warns that the giants have risen and Gaea awaits the blood of Olympus.
Hecate orders Hazel to lead the team to Athens and departs as the House of Hades destabilizes. Amid falling stones, the group reunites with Percy and Annabeth. Frank tends to Hazel’s injuries; Nico stands apart, conflicted, until Hazel reassures him. With the chamber collapsing, Hazel offers to help Nico shadow-travel everyone out.
Nico forms a circle, and with Hazel’s aid they shadow-travel to a hillside by the River Acheron at sunrise. Exhausted but safe, they rest and share accounts. Jason announces he promoted Frank to praetor; Percy approves, and Hazel beams despite her broken ribs.
When asked about Tartarus, Percy and Annabeth defer the story. The Argo II approaches with Festus roaring and Coach Hedge calling to them. Hedge announces a visitor, and a soot-smeared, injured Reyna appears at the rail, revealing she has arrived to meet them.
Who Appears
- Hazel LevesqueNarrative focus; helps surround Clytius, commits to shadow-travel, reassures Nico, and reunites with friends despite broken ribs.
- ClytiusGiant of darkness; overwhelmed by the demigods and finally burned to ash by Hecate.
- HecateArrives to finish Clytius, warns of Gaea and the giants, orders the group toward Athens, then departs.
- Nico di AngeloCuts through Clytius’s shadows, struggles with inner conflict, then co-leads a mass shadow-travel escape.
- Percy JacksonFresh from Tartarus, reunites with the team; defers recounting, approves Frank’s promotion.
- Annabeth ChaseWeak but armed, reunites with friends; supports delaying the Tartarus story as the Argo II arrives.
- Frank ZhangChecks on Hazel; confirmed as praetor; modest about his feats guiding the ghostly legion.
- Jason GraceAids in defeating Clytius; reveals he promoted Frank to praetor; urges evacuation.
- Piper McLeanFights Clytius effectively, comforts Annabeth, and explains Frank’s use of the dead to guide them.
- Leo ValdezBlasts Clytius’s legs with fire, rejoices at Festus and the ship’s return, congratulates Frank.
- Coach HedgeGreets the team from the Argo II, announces their unexpected visitor.
- Reyna Avila Ramírez-ArellanoArrives on the Argo II, battered but present, signaling a crucial new development.
- GaleHecate’s weasel familiar; chitters and disappears as Hecate departs.