After the battle, Camp Half-Blood holds funeral rites for the dead. Percy sees Lee Fletcher and Castor among the shrouded bodies, and Castor's twin brother Pollux is too grief-stricken to speak before lighting the pyre. The next day, the camp treats the wounded while nature spirits begin repairing the damaged woods.

At noon, the Council of Cloven Elders meets to judge Grover. Silenus wants Grover exiled for claiming Pan is dead, but Chiron makes the council hear testimony from Percy, Annabeth, Juniper, Grover, and battle witnesses. Grover calmly insists that Pan passed his spirit into everyone and that satyrs must stop searching and begin protecting the remaining wild places themselves.

Dionysus unexpectedly returns in mourning clothes and reports that several minor gods, including Morpheus, Hecate, Janus, and Nemesis, have joined the enemy. After hearing Grover's account, Dionysus supports Grover and votes against exile. Because Dionysus's divine vote counts twice, the council deadlocks; Dionysus then dissolves the council, and Silenus leaves with a small group of followers. Grover immediately begins organizing satyrs to protect national parks, city parks, and remote wild areas.

Later, Percy finds Tyson on the beach giving Briares directions to Poseidon's underwater forges. Briares wants to help the Cyclopes recover forgotten skills in making weapons and armor, and Tyson chooses to stay with Percy at camp. Briares says goodbye and walks into the sea, leaving Percy grateful for Tyson's faith in him.

That evening, Percy notices Nico keeping apart from the campers and follows Nico into the woods. Percy sees Nico saying goodbye to Bianca's ghost, then learns Nico plans to leave camp because he believes a son of Hades does not belong there. Nico wants answers about his mother, his schooling, and the lawyer who removed him and Bianca from the Lotus Hotel. Percy gives Nico his old Mythomagic Hades figurine, and the two part on better terms, though Nico remains troubled and secretive.

Dionysus then walks with Percy and acknowledges, in his grudging way, that Percy and Annabeth helped save the camp. Dionysus shows Percy that he has cured Chris Rodriguez's madness, partly out of grief and partly because Chris deserved another chance. Dionysus tells Percy that small acts of kindness can matter as much as weapons, and Percy watches Chris and Clarisse happily together by the campfire.