XII

Piper, recalling Cherokee ghost lore and recognizing parallels with Greek eidolons, asserts the spirits still linger aboard because no one dismissed them. To test this, she charmspeaks for any eidolons to raise their hands. Leo, Jason, and Percy go glassy-eyed and comply, revealing they are possessed by three of Gaea’s strongest spirits.

Under pressure, Piper orders the eidolons to leave. The spirits resist, threatening Frank and prompting Jason to draw his sword, but Hazel reinforces Piper’s authority and steadies the situation. Piper intensifies her command, extracting a vow on the River Styx that the eidolons will depart, never return to the ship, and never possess any crew member. The spirits agree and depart; Leo, Jason, and Percy collapse back to themselves.

With the immediate threat ended, the crew settles. Piper helps a dazed Jason to the deck as the Argo II speeds east over the prairie night. They share relief, but Piper worries about Percy’s trust after using Blackjack to subdue him during the duel. Jason reassures her and rejects Gaea’s claim that two of the crew must die, promising all seven will survive.

Talk turns to the Mark of Athena. Jason explains a Roman legend: long ago the Romans stole an important Greek object, hidden in Rome; Athena’s children have sought it for millennia, guided by the Mark. He fears the find could drive Greeks to destroy Rome, a chilling echo of Nemesis’s warning about Rome’s impending ruin.

Jason apologizes for asking Piper to contact Reyna, affirming his commitment to Piper and promising he wouldn’t return to Camp Jupiter without her. Piper, mindful of the prophecy’s “oath to keep with a final breath,” is torn between hope and dread as the ship continues toward their next objective.