The Heroes of Olympus, #3
The Mark of Athena
by Rick Riordan
Contents
XLIV
Overview
Trapped in a flooding nymphaeum, Piper, Jason, and Percy are drained by poisoned water. Piper leads a selfless sacrifice through the cornucopia, channeling Jason’s storms and Percy’s sea to overwhelm and purify the nymphs.
Freed, Hagno reveals two fleeting exits. The trio chooses the aqueduct route toward the giants, advancing their mission.
Summary
As the chamber floods with dark, stinging water, Piper, Jason, and Percy discover there is no escape. The water saps their strength, even overwhelming Percy’s ability to control it. Jason’s attempt at lightning only worsens the deluge, confirming the nymphs’ poison is draining their power.
Recalling a tale of sacrifice, Piper proposes using her cornucopia to overwhelm the poison with clean water. She directs Percy to focus on the sea and Jason on rain, urging them to give everything as a selfless offering. At her insistence, they join forces and channel their power into the horn.
A torrent of pure water erupts, turning the rain clear but filling the room to the ceiling. Piper confesses her love to Jason before they all go under. Near blacking out, she persists until the chamber shakes and suddenly begins to drain. Piper hauls Percy and an unresponsive Jason up; Percy expels the clean water from Jason’s lungs, reviving him in a thunderous jolt.
The nymphs reappear, restored to youth. Eight depart as mist; the ninth, Hagno, thanks them—especially Piper’s selflessness—for cleansing them and restoring memories of sea and sky. Hagno reveals two transient exits: stairs to the surface and a waterway leading through the old aqueduct to the giants’ hypogeum.
After a brief, awkward exchange about the world above and Pan, Hagno departs. With the shrine glowing with echoes of ancient celebrations, Piper takes Jason’s hand, and the trio chooses the aqueduct path to confront the giants.
Who Appears
- Piper McLeanLeads a selfless sacrifice using the cornucopia, coordinates Jason and Percy, saves them, and chooses the aqueduct path.
- Jason GraceAttempts lightning, nearly drowns, is revived by Percy; contributes storm power and shares a moment of love with Piper.
- Percy JacksonCannot control the poisoned water, channels sea power into the horn, helps revive Jason, and readies to face the giants.
- HagnoLeader of the nymphs; purified by the heroes’ sacrifice, reveals two exits, and departs to seek a new home.