The Heroes of Olympus, #5
The Blood of Olympus
by Rick Riordan
Contents
XLIX
Overview
The Olympian gods descend to the Acropolis and join the demigods, turning the tide against the giants. In paired battles across the Parthenon, the giants are routed. Jason and Zeus defeat Porphyrion, vaporizing him midair. Afterward, Zeus privately acknowledges Jason but warns the worst is not over and blame is coming.
Summary
As the demigods stand encircled by giants at the Acropolis, the sky splits to reveal Olympus. The gods descend in war chariots—Zeus at the lead with the winds harnessed, Nike restored as his charioteer, and Hera, Ares, and others in support—then appear human-sized among the combatants. Jason charges Porphyrion as battles erupt across the Parthenon.
Annabeth fights alongside Athena to crush Enceladus under scaffolding. Frank and Ares batter through giants, Frank shifting into an elephant. Hazel darts in and out of the Mist while Hecate scorches foes; the ground swallows fallen giants, signaling Hades’s unseen aid. Percy and Poseidon blast Otis and Ephialtes out of the temple. Piper duels Periboia with Aphrodite’s distracting aid. Leo bombards from the Argo II, while the Fates beat down Thoon.
Zeus fights beside Jason against Porphyrion, denying the giant’s claim to a throne. Porphyrion boasts that Gaea has awakened and he cannot be stopped. Jason, affirmed as a true son of the sky, shears Porphyrion’s spear, pierces his armor, and blasts him from the cliff.
As Porphyrion falls, Zeus vaporizes him with a lightning javelin. Afterward, Zeus tells Jason he cannot show public favoritism but privately praises Jason’s growth despite Hera’s claims on his life. Zeus warns that the crisis isn’t over and that someone will be blamed, urging Jason to return to the others.
Who Appears
- Jason GraceFights alongside Zeus, defeats Porphyrion, and receives private praise and warning from his father.
- ZeusLeads the gods’ charge, fights with Jason, vaporizes Porphyrion, and cautions Jason about coming consequences.
- PorphyrionGiant king; boasts of Gaea’s awakening; is driven off the cliff by Jason and destroyed by Zeus.
- Piper McLeanDuels the giantess Periboia, aided by Aphrodite’s distractions and doves.
- Annabeth ChaseFights beside Athena to drive Enceladus under collapsing scaffolding.
- AthenaSupports Annabeth, wielding spear and Aegis to repel Enceladus.
- Percy JacksonBattles twin giants with Poseidon’s help; they are blasted from the Parthenon.
- PoseidonAssists Percy; uses trident-turned-hose to sweep Otis and Ephialtes away.
- Frank ZhangFights as an elephant alongside Ares, smashing through a phalanx of giants.
- AresRevels in battle, fighting with Frank to cut down giants.
- Hazel LevesqueStrikes from the Mist on Arion while Hecate torches enemies.
- HecateAccompanies Hazel, burning giants with twin torches.
- NikeFreed from the net; mind restored; serves as Zeus’s charioteer, proclaiming victory.
- AphroditeAids Piper from a cloud, blinding Periboia with rose petals.
- HeraArrives in a peacock-drawn chariot, part of the Olympian counterattack.
- HadesUnseen; the earth swallows fallen giants, signaling his intervention.
- PeriboiaGiantess dueling Piper; hindered by Aphrodite’s interference.
- Otis and EphialtesTwin giants; overwhelmed and blasted away by Percy and Poseidon.
- ThoonOld giant beaten down by the Fates with brass clubs.
- The FatesThree old women who brutally club Thoon during the battle.