Contents
Chapter 4: The Eldest Heir
Overview
At the Siberian outpost, Hades blocks Augustus from seeing the badly injured Alexis and condemns him. An emergency reveals Medusa has escaped the Underworld after killing two Olympians, heightening fear and division. When Artemis arrives with Alexis, Alexis chooses Achilles and Patro for her mission over Augustus. The leaders order everyone to relocate to Augustus’s villa and fortify for a week.
Summary
At the Assembly of Death’s Siberian outpost, Augustus hides near the medic room as Hades tells Ares he found Alexis unconscious in Crete’s dungeon, injured after leaping from Montana. A doctor rushes to obtain advanced Olympian treatment, and Augustus sees Alexis swathed in bandages opposite a comatose Hermos. Wracked by pain and guilt, Augustus tries to approach, but Hades bars him, stating Alexis doesn’t want to see him and threatening him until Augustus withdraws.
Amid failing power and blaring sirens, Augustus, guided by his bonded raccoon Poco, returns to the rec room where Kharon anxiously seeks news and Patro provokes him. Achilles arrives with wolves, quelling a brewing fight. A broadcast then announces Medusa has escaped the Underworld and slain two Olympians, shocking the room. Augustus explains Medusa is a Gorgon with the power of Fate, intensifying Patro’s bigotry and Kharon’s silent turmoil.
As the emergency subsides, the group drifts into uneasy rest and distraction while Augustus’s pain mounts. Hours later, Artemis enters with Alexis, her bandages removed but face bruised. Artemis demands Alexis choose partners for her first mission. Alexis pointedly selects Achilles and Patro, bypassing Augustus and Kharon, deepening Augustus’s hurt through their bond.
Artemis relays the leaders’ decision: everyone will relocate to Augustus’s villa, engage its defenses, and remain there for a week pending new Titan assignments and Medusa’s capture. Patro smirks in triumph, Kharon curses, and Augustus tends to a fresh bite from anxious Poco, as the team braces for confinement and looming threats.
Who Appears
- AugustusPOV; guilt-ridden and migraine-stricken, blocked from seeing Alexis; explains Medusa’s Fate power; ordered to secure his villa.
- Alexis (Hercules)Severely injured after leaping; refuses to see Augustus; later chooses Achilles and Patro for her first mission.
- HadesFinds Alexis in Crete’s dungeon; protects her privacy; threatens Augustus and assigns him to back off.
- PocoAugustus’s bonded raccoon; comforts and guides him, covers his ears, and anxiously bites, then apologizes.
- KharonAnxious about Alexis; clashes with Patro; plays with Poco; affected by news of sister Medusa’s escape.
- PatroProvocative and bigoted; fights with Kharon; announces Medusa’s escape; later chosen by Alexis.
- AchillesArrives with wolves; checks Patro; later selected by Alexis for her mission.
- ArtemisArrives with Alexis; orders everyone to shelter at Augustus’s villa and prepare defenses for a week.
- AresListens to Hades’s report; shows disdain for Augustus; departs during the confrontation.
- AgathaDefends Gorgons against Patro’s slurs; spars verbally and plays chess with Kharon.
- DrexFrightened newcomer; prays and cowers amid the tense exchanges.
- MedusaEscaped the Underworld; reportedly killed two Olympians; feared for her Fate power.
- HermosHospitalized and comatose with head wrapped after Kharon’s attack.
- CerberusHades’s guardian; senses Augustus’s power and growls during the confrontation.
- AphroditeAlerts Hades and Ares to Titan activity near Rome; prompts Hades to leave.
- NeroAchilles’s wolf; approaches then retreats from Augustus.
- PoppaeCompanion with Achilles upon arrival; remains in the background.
- Doctor (Spartan medic)Reports Alexis’s hemorrhaging and seeks new Olympian paste for treatment.