The Heroes of Olympus, #3
The Mark of Athena
by Rick Riordan
Contents
XLVIII
Overview
In the Colosseum, Percy and Jason coordinate to disable Otis and distract Ephialtes until the Argo II blasts the arena. Bacchus finishes both giants and grudgingly grants aid, pointing them to the Emmanuel Building. Reunited, the crew learn from Nico that the Doors of Death are split between Epirus and Tartarus, requiring closure from both sides. They set course to rescue Annabeth, planning to breach via the parking lot.
Summary
Percy and Jason face Ephialtes and Otis in the Colosseum as Bacchus turns their fight into a spectacle. Realizing solo duels won’t work, Percy proposes a joint attack. They burst a water pipe and use wind to topple Ephialtes, then lure Otis into the lake and strike together, repeatedly disrupting his re-formation.
Ephialtes recovers and overpowers them until the Argo II arrives, blasting him with Greek fire. Bacchus appears in the arena, drains the lake, and personally reduces both giants to ash, claiming the victory. He grants the demigods permission to continue and cryptically directs them to break through behind the Emmanuel Building.
The crew reunites aboard the Argo II. Leo explains their escape using the Archimedes sphere, Hazel’s sensing, and Frank’s weasel form to contact Coach Hedge, who piloted the rescue. Percy learns Annabeth is hurt and missing, likely trapped below Rome, and insists on rescuing her next.
Nico, weak and traumatized, reveals the Doors of Death have two sides: the mortal entrance at the House of Hades in Epirus and the Underworld side within Tartarus. He warns they must be closed simultaneously, but Tartarus is beyond a demigod’s reach. With no solution yet, the team targets Bacchus’s lead—the Emmanuel Building—and prepares to breach the parking lot to reach Annabeth.
Who Appears
- Percy JacksonLeads a coordinated strategy with Jason to fell Otis, withstands Ephialtes, and drives the rescue focus toward Annabeth.
- Jason GraceFights alongside Percy, using wind and lightning; is wounded but helps disable Otis and distract Ephialtes.
- BacchusTurns the battle into a show, then destroys both giants and directs the team to the Emmanuel Building’s parking lot.
- Leo ValdezExplains the Archimedes-enabled escape and sets course for the Emmanuel Building; prepares for breaching maneuvers.
- Hazel LevesqueAids the escape by sensing paths underground and tends to a weakened Nico aboard the ship.
- Frank ZhangTransforms into a weasel to place a transmitter; modestly supports navigation to the Emmanuel Building.
- Coach HedgePilots the Argo II to rescue the team and readies ballistae for the coming breach.
- Piper McLeanWatches from the stands, later regrouping with a sprained shoulder; supports team morale.
- Nico di AngeloReveals the Doors of Death have two sides—Epirus and Tartarus—and that both must be closed simultaneously.
- EphialtesShowman giant; duels Percy and Jason before being blasted by the Argo II and finished by Bacchus.
- OtisWeaker twin; lured into water and disrupted repeatedly before Bacchus eradicates him.