The Red Pyramid Chapter 36 Summary

How It All Goes Down

Our Family is Vaporized

  • As they get close to Camelback Mountain, they lose the cover of the storm. Everything is deserted, so there's no way they can sneak up on Set.
  • Zia can't work her invisibility spell, since her magic's still gone, but Amos has a plan to turn everyone into storm clouds.
  • Sadie's not thrilled about this, but Zia really objects, because storms are a manifestation of chaos magic, which is usually bad news. Before they can agree on something, Amos turns them all into clouds.
  • When they reach a ridge on the mountain, everyone returns to human form. Zia peers into the mountain through a crack and says that only the pyramidion is left, and that's not good.
  • Sadie looks in and sees that the mountain has been hollowed out. A huge red pyramid dominates the cave. Tons of demons are milling around, and some of them are hauling up a giant golden capstone in boats (the pyramidion).
  • Sadie's idea is to sabotage the boats and go from there. Amos says it's a stupid plan, but everyone else thinks it's the best shot.
  • Ten hours have passed since Las Cruces, so Zia's magic is back. She uses an amulet to get a ride from a bird, while Sadie and Carter use their bird forms.
  • Sadie, Carter, and Zia fly into the cavern and start to disrupt the boats hauling the pyramidion by fighting the demons on the boats.
  • Amos says that he'll distract the demons, and that they should try to get to the entrance of the pyramid.
  • Using some fancy pyrotechnics and explosions, Amos directs the demons' attention away from the kids.
  • Following Amos's instructions, Sadie, Amos, and Zia seal the door behind them. As they walk through the pyramid, they see disturbing paintings showing Set taking over the world.
  • Sadie, Amos, and Zia reach a huge throne surrounded by boiling red liquid. Ick. Worse, the throne has grown around the coffin holding their dad.
  • Right then, Amos climbs into the pyramid from the ceiling. He beckons them closer, saying it's time to get down to business. The business of freeing their dad? Nope.
  • Amos falls to his knees and starts to convulse. He manages to tell the kids to run before red steam rises from his body.
  • The steam turns into the shape of a man—Set. He sits on his throne, laughs, and says that now Zia gets to tell them all, "I told you so."