Contents
IV
Overview
Hecate confronts Hazel at a crossroads, revealing catastrophic futures and multiple paths, then urges a secret northern route to Epirus. Hecate insists Hazel must learn the Mist to defeat a witch before facing Clytius. Hazel chooses the dangerous detour via Bologna and Venice, resolves to save everyone, and returns to guide the Argo II.
Summary
At a crossroads, Hecate circles Hazel with her companions—a black dog, Hecuba, and a polecat, Gale—linking Hazel’s lineage and Marie Levesque’s magic to Hecate’s influence. Hecate frames the moment as a choice of paths and conjures visions: demigods at war, the Argo II exploding, Leo falling, Frank wounded, and Percy and Annabeth helpless before black-and-silver doors.
Hecate explains crossroads choices are not binary and presents options: return west to avert camp war, go east over the Apennines and likely lose the ship, or take a secret northern pass she controls, then travel through Bologna and Venice to reach Epirus. She declares Hazel must learn to wield the Mist, as only Hazel can defeat a witch barring their way to face the giant Clytius in the House of Hades.
Hecate recounts her history—Titan origins, shifting allegiances, aid to Demeter, rivalry with Clytius—and offers limited protection if Hazel proves worthy. Despite mistrust, Hazel refuses to abandon Percy and Annabeth and commits to the northern route, vowing to save their friends, keep the crew and ship intact, and prevent war between the camps.
The storm and goddess vanish, leaving Hazel with Arion. Back aboard the Argo II, Hazel reports the secret pass and the need to find dwarfs in Bologna for a helpful treasure, but withholds the most frightening prophecies. Leo calculates the detour’s length yet agrees to speed their travel; Nico urges haste, mindful of Percy and Annabeth’s danger.
Privately, Hazel wrestles with Hecate’s warning that only she can defeat the witch and with Nico’s prophecy that only one child of the Underworld may reach the Doors of Death. The crew prepares to rest and then cross the Apennines that night, following the perilous northern course.
Who Appears
- Hazel LevesqueConfronted by Hecate, sees grim futures, chooses a secret northern route, tasked to master the Mist.
- HecateGoddess of magic and crossroads; shows visions, outlines routes, demands Hazel learn the Mist.
- Nico di AngeloSupports Hazel, warns of crossroads’ peril, urges haste to save Percy and Annabeth.
- Leo ValdezQuestions the detour, calculates the route, commits to speed the Argo II toward Bologna and Venice.
- HecubaHecate’s black dog, briefly transformed into a cat to demonstrate the Mist.
- GaleHecate’s polecat familiar; hostile, serves as intended checker on Hazel’s progress.
- ArionHazel’s swift horse; carries her from the ruins and departs afterward.
- Percy JacksonAppears in visions, imperiled before black-and-silver doors in the House of Hades.
- Annabeth ChaseAppears in visions, unconscious beside Percy near the Doors of Death.