The Heroes of Olympus, #5
The Blood of Olympus
by Rick Riordan
Contents
XXXVI
Overview
Leo, Piper, and Jason meet Asclepius, who forges the physician’s cure using Apollo’s flower, Pylosian mint, and the makhai via his serpent Spike. Asclepius warns the dose can revive only one and must be used immediately. Back aboard, Piper is chosen to carry it, but Leo secretly keeps the real vial and integrates it into the Argo II for his sacrificial plan.
Summary
Leo, Piper, and Jason reach Asclepius’s office after reprogramming Hygeia. The genial doctor assesses them effortlessly, even correcting Jason’s vision with new glasses. When Asclepius examines Leo, his pity alarms the group, but Leo deflects and pushes for the physician’s cure.
Asclepius confirms the ingredients: Apollo’s daisy, Pylosian mint, and the heartbeat of the chained god. Piper releases the makhai; Asclepius’s serpent, Spike, swallows the spirits and ingredients and produces a glowing red vial. Asclepius warns the potion can revive only one person and must be administered immediately after death; Zeus will be angry he helped.
They decline Asclepius’s offer to remain behind, and he urges them to leave before Hygeia resets. Back on the Argo II, the crew debates the single dose. Piper proposes a designated medic; the group agrees she should carry the cure. Leo jokes along, but privately calculates the overlapping prophecies point to his death and resolves to act alone.
After dinner, Leo dodges Jason and Piper’s questions and retreats to the engine room. He reveals he gave Piper a Mist-illusion and kept the real vial. Confiding in Buford and Festus, Leo installs the cure into the ship’s systems, activates a navigation device fitted with the Ogygia crystal, and sets a 24-hour timer, committing to a plan that likely requires his sacrifice.
Who Appears
- Leo ValdezDrives the mission for the cure; hides Asclepius’s warning, swaps Piper’s vial with a fake, and integrates the real cure into the Argo II for a 24-hour plan.
- AsclepiusGod of medicine; forges the physician’s cure via his serpent, warns it revives only one, and refuses to accompany them.
- Piper McLeanCharmspeaks Asclepius into helping; summons the makhai; designated to carry the cure, unaware Leo kept the real vial.
- Jason GraceAssessed by Asclepius and given corrective glasses; worries about Leo and supports Piper as cure carrier.
- SpikeAsclepius’s python; consumes ingredients and makhai to produce the physician’s cure.
- Hygeia (statue)Reprogrammed guardian; later seen malfunctioning peacefully while the trio departs.
- Percy JacksonDiscusses the cure’s limitations with the crew and the risk of multiple deaths.
- Annabeth ChaseSupports Piper as the best choice to carry the cure, emphasizing trust and judgment.
- Hazel LevesqueExchanges a knowing look with Leo, hinting she suspects his plan.
- Frank ZhangAcknowledges the looming battle; part of the discussion on who should carry the cure.
- FestusCommunicates with Leo in the engine room as Leo sets a 24-hour timer for their final plan.
- Buford the Wonder TableWitnesses Leo’s deception and protests as Leo installs the cure into the ship.