Apollo dreams he is in Nero’s throne room, where Nero’s children—demigods Nero has captured—attend to him in purple togas. Germani carry in a badly injured Lu on a stretcher. Nero tells his children that he plans to issue a 48-hour ultimatum to Apollo to surrender. Barring which, Nero will burn down New York. Apollo next finds himself flying through stairwells to descend into a cavern beneath Delphi in Greece. Delphi is his most important Oracle, and has been captured by Python, the monstrous ancient snake currently allied with Nero. Python’s voice mocks Apollo, calling him a fool who cannot see the larger picture. Apollo will soon realize he is doing the hard work for Python.

Apollo wakes up 19 hours later. Will gives him fresh clothes, which he had bought especially for Apollo on his last shopping trip. Kayla and Austin, Apollo’s children, visit him, introducing him to three more of his demigod offspring, who have just joined camp. The group head out to the dining pavilion, where Apollo spots Meg playing with the karpos, or grain demon, Peaches. Nico is in deep debate with Dionysus. Will tells Apollo Jason’s death triggered for Nico memories of the loss of his beloved sister Bianca.