XXIII

The Argo II is blindsided by a colossal shrimp–catfish monstrosity because Leo forgot to switch the ship’s detection from radar to sonar after leaving Charleston. The creature’s tentacles lash the deck, entangling masts and crew; Jason is too drained to summon lightning, and the ballistae risk burning the ship.

As Percy is knocked below and Piper is dragged toward the rail, Leo orders Coach Hedge to take the helm and Hazel to open a crate of Greek fire. A tentacle snatches Leo and Hazel together, threatening to crush Hazel’s vial. To force a release, Leo burns the tentacle and throws his vial into the monster’s mouth, triggering a green internal explosion as Leo and Hazel plunge into the sea. Leo loses consciousness, glimpsing Frank floating nearby.

Leo awakens with Frank in an underwater grotto, breathing via a magical oxygen sheath. Their weapons and Leo’s tool belt are confiscated, and Hazel has been taken by “fish-horse guys.” Frank, resentful after Hedge’s earlier remark and Leo distracting him before he fell overboard, confronts Leo about Hazel. Leo explains Hazel’s vision: Sammy is Leo’s great-grandfather, easing Frank’s jealousy though complicating Leo’s feelings.

Testing his fire, Leo briefly ignites the oxygen layer and nearly suffocates, deducing the nature of the magic. Frank admits a fear of fire, begins to reveal a personal weakness tied to a piece of firewood, but is interrupted when the abalone door opens.

Ichthyocentaur Bythos enters, announcing he will interrogate Frank. He orders Leo to go with his brother, Aphros, whose massive silhouette fills the passage, leaving their fate—and Hazel’s—uncertain.