XIV Percy

At an emergency senate meeting, Reyna clarifies that Mars’s quest stands and Frank’s chosen companions are Hazel and Percy. Despite protests that Frank is a probatio, Octavian ceremonially bestows the Mural Crown and promotes Frank to centurion, shifting responsibility onto Reyna. Gwen retires, opening the post, and Frank receives his SPQR brand.

Octavian challenges Frank’s readiness, but Hazel states the destination: Alaska, the land beyond the gods. Percy connects the cursed expedition of the 1980s to the current threat and argues the Fifth must make amends by confronting the giant holding the legion’s eagle and Death captive. Octavian insinuates Percy might be a spy, but Percy insists their goals are to free Thanatos and recover the eagle.

Hazel names the enemy as Alcyoneus. Nico explains each giant opposes a specific Olympian; Alcyoneus, eldest, is Pluto’s foe and immortal in his home territory—rendering him undefeatable in Alaska. The senate panics, but Reyna insists the quest proceed and asks for a plan. Nico then outlines Thanatos’s role as Pluto’s enforcer and the broader problem: Gaea controls the shifting Doors of Death, allowing chosen monsters and souls to return repeatedly.

Percy prioritizes freeing Thanatos by the Feast of Fortuna over retaking the Doors, acknowledging the larger war foretold by the Prophecy of Seven. Pressed for logistics, the trio admits they’ll move fast and improvise. Octavian urges conserving resources for the camp’s defense, and the senate votes to grant only access to the Roman navy at Alameda, with no other aid.

Outside, the team acknowledges the odds but commits; Percy silently vows to find Annabeth after the Feast of Fortuna. Octavian delivers Reyna’s message: Percy is to report alone to the principia for a private talk, hinting ominously that Jason Grace vanished after such a meeting.