XX

Battle consumes Fort Sumter as Romans and giant eagles assault the scattered crew. Leo fights through the courtyard, Frank rampages as an elephant, and Jason duels Dakota before Annabeth orders retreat and pushes toward the docks alone amid panicked tourists.

Seeking the hidden map, Annabeth enters a garrison room and is engulfed by swarming spiders, triggering childhood trauma and Gaea’s taunting promise that “the weaver” awaits. The Mark of Athena ignites across the walls, incinerates the spiders, and Athena’s voice urges Annabeth to avenge her and follow the sign.

Outside, Annabeth spots a glowing mortar. Guided by the owl mark, she opens the muzzle with her dagger and retrieves a small bronze disk etched with letters and illustrations—the long-sought map.

Praetor Reyna confronts Annabeth with metal greyhounds, demanding surrender to prevent further war. Annabeth argues Gaea engineered the conflict and vows to follow the Mark of Athena to Rome to heal the rift. Reyna warns that escape dooms Camp Half-Blood to Roman vengeance but ultimately withdraws, declaring they will be enemies next time.

At the docks, Octavian drives Romans forward while Jason and Percy unite wind and sea to batter the attackers, down eagles, and shield the Argo II. Annabeth sprints through the lines, leaps aboard with Piper’s help, and the crew powers away on a massive wave, leaving Fort Sumter behind as they race toward the ancient lands.