Jason wonders if he will ever be part of Thalia’s life, and worries about what it means to be “a bridge.” Finally, they arrive at Aeolus’s floating island, which has four sections, one for each wind god and cardinal direction. Coach Hedge goes to graze in the springtime section, and an aura, Mellie, arrives to escort the demigods to Aeolus.

The demigods enter Aeolus’s fortress, which is a huge television studio. There is no floor until harpies build one out of plywood, duct tape, and debris. Mellie introduces the demigods to Aeolus, who immediately recognizes Jason from a year prior. When he receives the storm spirits, he reveals that he has no memory of ordering the killing of all demigods. He also wants to renegotiate his contract: he is not sure if he is a god or a nature spirit, and wants more clarity. He seems inclined to help the demigods, until suddenly, he is contacted via his headset by someone, a woman, who hasn’t spoken to him for centuries. He has a sudden change of heart, and tells the demigods, “You all have to die” (423). Mellie and Jason embrace the demigods and Coach Hedge, and escape out of a shoot.