The Tyrant's Tomb

Inside the shipping container, Reyna and Meg shatter the emperors’ fasces, freeing Harpocrates. The god telepathically reveals that after he was imprisoned with the Sibyl of Cumae’s jar, their shared captivity created a deep, loving bond. When Harpocrates prepares to annihilate Apollo, Meg and Reyna send him telepathic images of Apollo’s weakest moments and his most generous gestures, including his song to honor Jason Grace. The Sibyl speaks from the jar, revealing that the summoning ritual requires the last breath of the silent god. The Sibyl then tells Apollo, “I forgive you. Not because you deserve it. Not for your sake at all. But because I will not go into oblivion carrying hate when I can carry love” (291). She then prepares to fade. Harpocrates kisses the jar, opens it, and exhales his life force into it before disintegrating. Reyna catches the jar, and she and Meg suddenly realize that Apollo’s infection has drastically worsened.

Exiting the container, they fight off the returning ravens and see the emperors’ enemy fleet of yachts approaching the Golden Gate Bridge. Meg grows a plant lattice to enable a quick descent from the tower, then collapses on the ground, exhausted by the effort. 

In their truck, Apollo confirms that Camp Jupiter’s communications are now restored when he uses a magical scroll to warn