Leo gets the Argo II back in working order, and the demigods battle an assortment of sea monsters, eventually arriving in Mykonos, near Delos. When the crew deliberates whom to send, Leo immediately volunteers. Based on his conversations with Nike over the last three days, he has an idea that he wants to run past Apollo. Frank and Hazel agree to accompany him.

On Delos, they find Apollo (who’s playing a sad song on a ukulele) and Artemis. Apollo complains that he’s the scapegoat of Zeus, rejecting any responsibility for actions he participated in—including trying to overthrow Zeus. In addition, he reveals that Gaea has resurrected the Python at Delphi, thus closing off access to prophecy. He wonders if killing these demigods will please his father, and Leo reminds him that they’re on Apollo’s side. He quickly tells Apollo his plan to create the physician’s cure. Apollo initially refuses since it would make Zeus even more angry at him. Artemis instructs Hazel and Frank to come with her so that she can tell them about the Twelfth Legion. As she leaves, she advises Leo to tell Apollo his plan, adding that her brother “likes a good bargain” (242).