Contents
XIII
Overview
Percy and Annabeth shadow Kelli’s empousai along the River Phlegethon through Tartarus, recovering strength on firewater while confronting the landscape’s horrors. They reach a cliff overlooking an ash plain where monsters crawl toward a black fog and the merged rivers. After spotting ominous fliers, they forgo flight and commit to a perilous descent toward the Doors of Death.
Summary
Percy and Annabeth track Kelli and a pack of empousai along the River Phlegethon, staying close enough to keep them in sight but far enough to remain hidden. The heat and fumes scorch them, yet sips of the river’s firewater keep them moving. Annabeth’s injuries have improved, and despite fear, Percy is buoyed by being with her.
The empousai pause to feast on a carcass, confirming the danger if Percy and Annabeth are discovered. Pressing on, they recall earlier encounters with Kelli and how their past trials now seem almost simple compared to Tartarus. The reflection underscores their grim determination to reach the Doors of Death.
They arrive at a massive cliff where the Phlegethon plunges in fiery tiers. Below lies a gray, blistered plain bristling with black trees. Across the plain, newly formed monsters hatch from the ground and crawl in the same direction—toward a wall of black fog that devours the horizon.
Percy notes the Phlegethon merging with a black river—likely the Cocytus—into a boiling torrent that also flows toward the fog, implying the Doors lie that way. The ominous sight deepens their dread but clarifies their goal.
Considering flight, they remember Luke’s cursed winged shoes, then spot dark winged shapes circling above. Concluding that flying would draw predators, they reject the idea. Instead, they decide to climb down after the empousai, committing to the only path that might lead them home.
Who Appears
- Percy JacksonProtagonist; leads the stealthy pursuit along the Phlegethon, reflects on past battles, and decides to climb down instead of risking flight.
- Annabeth ChasePercy’s partner; recovering from injuries, stays focused, recalls Luke’s winged shoes, and agrees to the descent toward the black fog.
- KelliEmpousa leader being tracked; guides her pack across Tartarus and pauses to feed, setting the direction toward the Doors.
- EmpousaiVampiric demons accompanying Kelli; shuffle ahead, devour a carcass, and descend the cliff toward the dark horizon.