The Heroes of Olympus, #2
The Son of Neptune
by Rick Riordan
Contents
XLVI Frank
Overview
Frank burns his life-tinder to free Thanatos, who declares deaths will now hold but refuses to fight. Percy wields a storm to seize the legion’s eagle, drawing the shades away. Frank discovers he can shapeshift, mauls Alcyoneus, and hatches a plan to drag the giant inland. Percy then crashes the glacier’s edge and is swept over.
Summary
Frank kneels by chained Thanatos and uses his life-tinder to melt the god’s bonds, suffering searing pain and flashes of memory that clarify his destiny. As Frank works, Percy conjures a miniature hurricane, smashes through Roman shades, and snatches the legion’s golden eagle to draw the spirits away.
Thanatos is freed but only promises that deaths will now be permanent, leaving the fighting to the demigods. Percy’s storm falters as he is pressed toward the glacier’s edge. Frank, realizing normal arrows are useless, resolves to use his true gift.
Hearing Hazel cry out as Alcyoneus strikes her and Arion, Frank chooses to help her. He transforms into a bald eagle to rake the giant’s eyes, then into a grizzly bear to slam Alcyoneus down, denting the giant’s face and toppling a tower onto him.
Shifting back, Frank ropes the giant’s leg and orders Hazel to use Arion to drag Alcyoneus inland, the only way to negate the giant’s Alaskan immortality. He confirms the plan even as Percy, now surrounded, signals them to go.
Cornered at the cliff, Percy drives Riptide into the ice and summons an immense wave. The glacier’s rim collapses, sending buildings, shades, and Percy himself over the edge, while Frank and Hazel prepare to haul the immobilized giant away from his power source.
Who Appears
- Frank ZhangFrees Thanatos using his life-tinder, discovers shapeshifting (eagle, bear), and devises a plan to drag Alcyoneus inland.
- Percy JacksonSummons a storm, seizes the legion’s eagle to distract shades, then collapses the glacier’s edge and falls over.
- Hazel LevesqueBattles Alcyoneus on Arion, is knocked down, then teams with Frank to rope the giant for an inland drag.
- ThanatosFreed from chains; declares deaths will now hold but does not fight.
- AlcyoneusTaunts the heroes, claims immortality in Alaska, is mauled and roped for removal from his homeland.
- ArionHazel’s swift stallion; dodges the giant’s blows and will pull Alcyoneus inland.