The Heroes of Olympus, #5
The Blood of Olympus
by Rick Riordan
Contents
XXXIII
Overview
After limping to Mykonos, the crew regroups. Leo leads Hazel and Frank to Delos, where Artemis and Apollo are stranded by the schism and Zeus’s wrath. Apollo admits Octavian manipulated him and that Python has retaken Delphi, blocking prophecy. Artemis counsels Hazel and Frank while Apollo demands a bargain from Leo about the physician’s cure.
Summary
After Kymopoleia’s storm damage, the Argo II crawls through the Aegean for three days, beset by sea serpents and even grounding on a rock. Leo repairs the ship enough to reach Mykonos, where the crew briefly relaxes with gelato while eyeing Delos across the harbor and the looming August 1 deadline.
Piper raises Delos, and Leo immediately volunteers to go, insisting he has an idea he must discuss with the twin gods. Frank and Hazel back him, and despite Annabeth’s concern, Jason supports Leo’s intuition. Leo promises souvenirs and departs with Hazel on Arion while Frank flies as an eagle.
They find Delos deserted and sacredly quiet. In a ruined amphitheater, Apollo, looking like a teen with a ukulele, plays a mournful tune while Artemis whittles a bow. The gods, expecting to be bothered, explain they are strong only on Delos; stepping off the island would incapacitate them due to the Greek–Roman schism and Zeus’s anger.
Artemis laments Orion’s ongoing slaughter of her Hunters and confirms to Hazel that Nico is alive. Apollo, self-pitying and volatile, admits Octavian flattered and misled him into blessing Roman aggression, while Zeus blames Apollo for recent disasters, including appointing Rachel Dare. Apollo also reveals Gaea raised Python to seize Delphi, cutting off prophecy.
Leo urges intervention against Octavian, but Apollo demonstrates he cannot shoot beyond Delos. He refuses to reveal the physician’s cure, fearing Zeus’s punishment, and even threatens to kill the demigods out of frustration. Artemis restrains him, then takes Hazel and Frank aside to discuss the Twelfth Legion, leaving Leo to bargain alone with Apollo, who demands to know what Leo can offer in exchange for help.
Who Appears
- Leo ValdezRepairs the Argo II, leads the mission to Delos, seeks a bargain with Apollo for the physician’s cure.
- ApolloStranded on Delos; admits Octavian misled him; reveals Python holds Delphi; demands a bargain from Leo.
- ArtemisAlso bound to Delos; grieves Hunters killed by Orion; takes Hazel and Frank aside to advise on the legion.
- Hazel LevesqueAccompanies Leo; confirms Nico lives; goes with Artemis to learn about the Twelfth Legion.
- Frank ZhangFlies as an eagle to Delos; supports Leo; joins Artemis for counsel on Roman matters.
- Percy JacksonScouts Mykonos with Annabeth; reports on the town; offers light advice about Apollo.
- Annabeth ChaseScouts with Percy; cautions but defers when Leo insists on the Delos mission.