Book Summary – Apollyon – Covenant Series – Book 4
- Jason Montero
- 3 days ago
- 25 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Some souls don’t shatter from pain, but from the weight of a truth they were never meant to carry. In Apollyon, Jennifer L. Armentrout pulls Alexandria to the brink of herself, caught between divine power and stolen freedom. Trapped by celestial marks, guarded by those who love her, and bonded to the one who might destroy everything, Álex must decide whether her fate owns her—or if she still has the strength to reclaim it.
This book summary by chapter dives into a story where gods wage war, hybrids become weapons, and love is the last line of defense. As the bond with Seth deepens, so does the threat not only to Olympus but to her very soul. Can love break a destiny carved in stone?
If you haven't followed Álex’s path from the very beginning, we recommend starting with the Reading Order of the Covenant Series ➤
Chapter-by-Chapter Summary
Chapter 1 Summary – Apollyon – The Prison of the Apollyon and the Bond with Seth
Álex remains locked in a cell designed to contain the Apollyon, surrounded by divine marks and bars that block her power, while her mind oscillates between her absolute identity and the impossibility of acting. Aiden St. Delphi watches the cell and tries to appeal to Álex’s memories, guilt, and losses, reminding her of Caleb, her mother, and the consequences of a war driven by Seth and Lucian. Opposite voices coexist within Álex: Aiden’s rational insistence and the constant presence of Seth, who promises liberation, union, and rescue of her enslaved father. The connection with Seth is intoxicating and soothing, although also unsettling, since it blurs the boundaries of her will. Álex clings to the promise of reuniting with Seth and escaping, while doubting the balance of the bond for the first time, feeling powerful, alone, and divided, aware that she is the Apollyon and that her confinement is only temporary.
Chapter 2 Summary – Apollyon – The Chains of Hephaestus and Aiden’s Doubts
Álex wakes up alone in the cell and takes advantage of Seth’s and Aiden’s absence to test the bars, discovering that the chains of Hephaestus completely nullify her powers, even the akasha. She remembers the surge of energy after the Awakening and her current frustration at feeling diminished and powerless. Aiden returns with food and resumes his role as watcher, combining firmness and closeness, while speaking of their shared past and hinting at unsettling information. He reveals that Titan blood, linked to Phoebe and Apollo’s lineage, is the key to containing her and that her connection with Seth could kill her if she escapes. Álex mocks, mistrusts, and resists believing him, but she begins to perceive cracks in her certainties. Amid memories, provocations, and tense silences, the blue light of the bars begins to weaken, feeding the hope of escape and the internal conflict between her past with Aiden and her surrender to Seth.
Chapter 3 Summary – Apollyon – The Truth About Lucian and the Daimons
Seth reappears in the connection and reveals that the daimons’ attacks were not spontaneous but part of a plan driven by Lucian with his indirect collaboration, using ether and captured purebloods as motivation. Álex shudders at understanding the magnitude of the manipulation and the deaths in Catskills, struggling against the idea that her union with Seth implies alliances with daimons. Aiden and Marcus visit the cell, and in a moment of shared silence, Álex decides to warn Aiden of the plan, betraying Seth’s trust for deeper principles. She confesses that the attacks were orchestrated and that the purebloods are being used, moved by the memory of Caleb and her mother. Aiden promises to act and thanks her for the truth, giving her unexpected hope. Although Seth does not show anger, Álex begins to perceive that their bond is more complex and dangerous than she had wanted to accept.
Other Books or Series – Jennifer L. Armentrout
Blood and Ash
Flesh and Fire
Lux
Covenant
Titan
The Dark Elements
Harbinger
Wicked Trilogy
The Vincent Boys
Wait for You
Frigid
Awakening
Chapter 4 Summary – Apollyon – Caleb’s Warning and the Price of the Bond
Álex senses movement in the house and notices that the cell’s defenses are weakening, while reflecting on her identity as Apollyon as she sees herself reflected with amber eyes. Emotional discomfort shakes her before she hears Caleb’s voice, which manifests as a shadow sent by Apollo. Caleb reveals that Aiden and Apollo have taken extreme measures to protect her and warns her of the real danger: if Álex reunites with Seth and transfers all her energy to him, he will drain her unintentionally, becoming the killer of gods and triggering a devastating war. Caleb insists that only by breaking the bond can she understand the truth and save herself. Álex refuses, convinced that power will protect her from new losses and that her union with Seth is the only way out. After Caleb disappears, Álex reaffirms her decision, clinging to the connection as the only way to end the pain.
Chapter 5 Summary – Apollyon – Olivia’s Visit and the Escape from the Cell
Caleb’s visit leaves Álex disturbed and full of nerves, unable to sleep or concentrate, trapped between guilt and anxiety inside the cell. Aiden appears with food and silence, and between tense provocations it becomes clear that both carry painful memories of the recent past. Hours later, Olivia comes down to the cell driven by fear and curiosity, confirming that everything outside is getting worse and that the gods surround the Covenants with unknown creatures. Álex confesses to having seen Caleb after his death and conveys a personal message that deeply moves Olivia. With no more time, Álex uses compulsion to obtain information about the keys and forces Olivia to help her break the lock, taking advantage of the defenses’ weakening. The door gives way and Álex escapes, leaving Olivia safe and carrying the guilt, determined to reunite with Seth at any cost.
Chapter 6 Summary – Apollyon – The Flight to the Forest and the Clash with Aiden
Álex flees to the forest after escaping the cabin, regaining her senses under the sun and using her powers freely for the first time to gain distance. Aiden pursues her and they face each other in an intense physical fight, marked by years of shared training and unresolved emotions. Although Álex is more powerful, Aiden resists without attacking with lethal intent, refusing to surrender or let her go. The fight escalates when Álex unleashes the power of the Apollyon, invoking akasha and unleashing a storm that reveals her divine nature. Aiden accepts his possible death without defending himself, declaring his love and reminding her that loving is not weakness. Faced with that gesture and the vision of the crystal rose, Álex remembers their shared history and, in a decisive moment, breaks the bond with Seth, left alone, devastated and aware of the price of her actions.
Chapter 7 Summary – Apollyon – The Breaking of the Bond and the Arrival of the Gods
Álex collapses after breaking the bond, crying uncontrollably while Aiden holds and protects her, ignoring wounds and dangers. Between comfort and silence, Álex understands how much she lost her identity by letting herself be carried away by the connection with Seth and feels horror for what she did and said. The calm breaks when a divine discharge announces the arrival of greater forces: two Furies and the god Thanatos appear with the intention of preventing Álex from reaching the First. Aiden interposes himself and fights alongside her, while Marcus and Solos come to their aid. The battle breaks out violently and Álex uses her powers again to protect Aiden, drawing Thanatos’s direct attention. When all seems lost, Apollo intervenes, halts the attack and confirms that the bond is broken, forcing the Furies to withdraw and accepting that Álex has returned to herself.
Chapter 8 Summary – Apollyon – Return, Healing and Conscious Choice
After the battle, Álex returns to the cabin exhausted and wounded, supported by Aiden while the rest withdraw in silence. She asks for a shower to clean up and pull herself together, reflecting on the broken bond, Seth’s manipulation and the danger they all faced because of her. Under the water, she understands that it was not magic, but Aiden’s genuine love that freed her. Aiden joins her and his presence awakens a real connection, free from compulsion or forced power. Between careful gestures, Álex apologizes and Aiden forgives her without reservation, reaffirming their mutual choice. Together they find comfort, acceptance and desire, rebuilding what was damaged. The marks of the Apollyon react, but no longer dominate her will. Exhausted, they fall asleep embraced, knowing that the future will be difficult, but chosen from freedom and true love.
Chapter 9 Summary – Apollyon – The Reunion and the Lingering Threat
Álex awakens in the cabin surrounded by unresolved tensions, guilt, and cautious glances after her confinement and escape. She reunites with the group, faces the consequences of her actions, and offers sincere apologies, receiving acceptance mixed with understandable distrust. Coexistence reveals a fragile balance as everyone evaluates whether the bond with Seth is truly broken. Álex confirms feeling a faint buzzing indicating his distant presence, incapable of reaching her due to the protections, but enough to unsettle her. She discovers that Apollo represents a direct threat and that Aiden removed him from the cabin to protect her. The discovery of the Elixir reopens deep fears, and Aiden decides to destroy it, closing that avenue of control. The group analyzes the global situation and Álex understands the magnitude of the chaos unleashed in the world. Despite the support, it becomes clear that war is approaching and that nothing will ever be simple again.
Chapter 10 Summary – Apollyon – The World in Crisis and the Decision to Fight
Gathered in the living room, Álex discovers that she has lost a month and that they are isolated in Illinois, protected by divine marks. The news reveals a world shaken by disasters, wars, and apocalyptic signs caused by the wrath of the gods and the actions of Seth and Lucian. Guilt consumes Álex as she comprehends the scope of the destruction and the lives lost. The group debates whether killing Seth is the only solution, but Álex resists seeing him as a mere enemy, aware of his condition as a victim and the risk of confronting him. The need arises for a strategy that will allow stopping him without transferring energy to him. They decide to remain hidden, train, and wait for Apollo’s return with answers. Although hope is fragile, they agree to prepare for the imminent war, accepting that confrontation will be inevitable and that they must act with caution and unity.
Chapter 11 Summary – Apollyon – The Truth About Her Father and the Order of Races
Unable to sleep, Álex watches the news during the night while she assimilates the guilt shared with Seth. At dawn, Laadan takes her to a private place and reveals long-hidden truths about her father. He confirms that he is alive, that he always knew who she was, and that he partially resisted the Elixir, becoming a silent leader among the servants. Álex discovers that he did not come closer for safety, watched by the Patriarchs, who brutally punished him by cutting part of his tongue to silence him. The revelation awakens deep anger and a broader awareness of the structural cruelty toward hybrids and the injustice of the Order of Races. Although she wants to act immediately, Álex understands that some battles require patience and planning. The conversation also confirms the enduring love between her parents and reinforces her bond with Aiden. She leaves the discussion more mature, determined to change an unjust system when the time comes.
Chapter 12 Summary – Apollyon – Training, Weariness, and an Unsettling Presence
Hours later, the group trains in the clearing near the cabin under the supervision of Solos and Aiden. Álex faces the frustration of not training as she expected and receives a reprimand that forces her to focus and mature. During combat, she discovers that her speed and reflexes have improved noticeably, regaining confidence in her physical abilities without relying on the elements. She learns the importance of not exhausting her energy and of balancing power and technique. After an exhausting day, they return to the cabin for dinner in an almost normal atmosphere, although filled with silences and significant glances. At the end of the day, Álex doubts her place, but chooses to sleep in Aiden’s bed, seeking comfort and security. She falls asleep quickly, until she wakes up abruptly to find amber eyes watching her, confirming that the threat is closer than she believed.
Chapter 13 Summary – Apollyon – Seth’s Nightmare and Marcus’s Confession
Álex wakes up terrified after a nightmare in which Seth seems to reach her through the bond, leaving an unsettling physical sensation and persistent fear. Aiden calms her with his presence and affection, and Álex confesses to him the mutilation her father suffered at the hands of the Order of Races, reinforcing her determination to change that unjust system. Unable to sleep, Álex goes down to the terrace and reflects on Seth, the latent bond, and the real possibility that he could reach her. Marcus finds her awake and they have a deep conversation that breaks years of distance. Marcus reveals that he is her uncle, speaks of Rachelle, of Alexander as Sentinel, of her parents’ hidden love and the mistakes made out of fear and politics. Álex understands the past, forgives the silences, and discovers that Marcus always protected her. At dawn, they close family wounds, and Álex feels that her mother would be proud of this reconciliation.
Chapter 14 Summary – Apollyon – Training with Akasha and Inevitable Tensions
For several days, the group enters an intense routine of training while the world remains in deceptive calm. Álex works with akasha and discovers limitations in precision and range, although her power proves devastating. The constant use of the fifth element exhausts her and increases an unsettling buzzing linked to the bond with Seth. She observes Aiden’s emotional distance, who avoids intimacy despite obvious desire. The fear of the future and the possible deaths of those she loves weighs heavily on her. The training expands to everyone, even Deacon, who insists on participating and breaks Aiden’s overprotection. Álex drills against Lea and consciously loosens the air element, allowing her to free herself, marking an internal change. Although the exercise ends with laughter and hits, Álex suffers a growing headache. Aiden senses that she has done something deliberate, sowing a tension that remains unresolved.
Chapter 15 Summary – Apollyon – The Confrontation with Lea and Seth’s Intrusion
That night, Álex talks with Lea and admits having reduced the air element out of empathy and guilt for past abuses. Both recognize profound changes and share losses, opening a fragile truce. Álex’s headache intensifies until it causes a collapse and an abrupt transition to a mental space created with Hermes’s help. There she meets Seth, who confirms that the bond still allows contact without energy transfer. Seth shows anger, desire, and obsession, justifies his alliance with Lucian, and threatens to destroy anyone who stands in his way. Álex confronts him, accuses him of corruption, and accepts that she will have to stop him even if it means killing him. The tension reveals that Seth can reach her despite the shields. Before the contact ends, Seth promises to find her again, leaving Álex marked by fear, rage, and the certainty that war is inevitable.
Chapter 16 Summary – Apollyon – Guilt, Truth, and Reconciliation with Aiden
Álex returns to her body supported by Aiden, who fears that the bond with Seth has reactivated. She explains Hermes’s intervention and the mental nature of the encounter, which unleashes Aiden’s contained fury. They analyze the headache as a sign of attempted contact, similar to the effect of the Elixir. The conversation turns to Aiden’s guilt for having forced her to take it, comparing himself to Seth and questioning his actions. Álex confronts him, rejects that equivalence, and demands that he stop punishing himself. She confesses that she needs him present and steadfast to face what is coming. The intense discussion breaks the distancing and leads to an emotional and physical reconciliation that restores confidence and unity. Aiden agrees to move forward without hiding behind guilt. Together they close the night reaffirming their bond, aware of the danger but strengthened to face the immediate future.
Chapter 17 Summary – Apollyon – The Plan of the Underworld and the Gate of Stull
Álex experiences a day of training marked by visible happiness after her reconciliation with Aiden, although the shadow of Seth remains present. They keep what happened between them a secret, sharing it only with Marcus, who reinforces vigilance during the training. At nightfall, Apollo bursts in and demands information about the First, confirming that the uncontrolled use of akasha attracted Thanatos. To prevent it, he gives Álex a medallion created with the essence of Hermes’s helmet that hides her energy from the gods. Apollo reveals that there are portals to the Underworld and that one lies in Stull, Kansas, guarded by sentinels, infernal hounds, and spirits that test the mind. Álex recalls that Solaris attempted to destroy the First and that her knowledge remains blocked. They decide to travel to the Underworld to seek her, accepting that the risk will be extreme and that only Álex can see the entrance.
Chapter 18 Summary – Apollyon – The Journey to Kansas and the Shadow of the Bond
Olivia wishes to accompany Álex to the Underworld to find Caleb, but Apollo forbids it knowing it would compromise the mission. Aiden is chosen as her companion for his absolute loyalty and willingness to die for Álex. Before departing, Álex confesses that Seth managed to reach her within her mind with Hermes’s help, although without being able to transfer energy or read thoughts. Apollo deduces that the contact occurs when she is exhausted and reinforces the need for constant vigilance. He draws a detailed map of the Underworld, marking safe routes, tunnels, and forbidden zones, and warns that souls and guardians will change according to the time. At dawn, Álex and Aiden say goodbye to the group and embark on the journey in the Hummer toward Kansas. Although they try to joke and pretend normality, both feel the weight of the mission and the certainty that nothing will be the same after crossing the gate.
Chapter 19 Summary – Apollyon – Stull Cemetery and the First Trial
Kansas appears as a desolate landscape while Álex absorbs the guilt for the world’s destruction and approaches Stull Cemetery. The energy of the place is oppressive when they leave the vehicle and advance among tombstones and ruins of the old church. Two spectral guardians appear and are swiftly defeated, confirming they were only a distraction. Soon after, a three‑headed infernal hound emerges whose presence freezes the air. Álex and Aiden coordinate the fight, avoiding decapitation and aiming for the heart. Álex resorts to fire with no effect and, at a critical moment, uses her internal bond to immobilize the creature while Aiden delivers the final blow. The hound disintegrates into blue dust and the threat disappears. Álex recognizes Aiden’s strength and determination, understanding that he fights not just out of duty but for her, just before hearing an impossible voice.
Chapter 20 Summary – Apollyon – The Trials of the Heart and the Entrance to the Underworld
Álex faces the apparition of her mother, presented as a vision meant to break her emotionally and force her to retreat. She recognizes the deception when the figure reveals its monstrous nature and provokes her with past guilt, forcing her to destroy it a second time. Immediately after, Aiden’s parents appear, transformed into an equally cruel test, attacking his insecurities, past, and decisions as Sentinel. Aiden accepts that those voices reflect his own fears and, with determination, eliminates the illusion, silencing what haunts him. Both understand that the portal’s true defenses are not physical but mental and emotional. They recover supplies, cover themselves with cloaks of concealment, and hold hands. The energy of the place transforms as the veil opens and the massive iron gate of the Underworld appears. United and aware of the danger, Álex and Aiden cross the portal, leaving the mortal world behind.
Chapter 21 Summary – Apollyon – The Fields of Asphodel and the Ascent Toward the Tunnels
Álex and Aiden traverse a dense fog that leads them to the Fields of Asphodel, an endless place where souls wander aimlessly, awaiting a judgment they fear or do not know. There they observe children, elders, and confused spirits, some disappearing without explanation, which Aiden attributes to legends about shadows returning to the mortal world. Rain falls over the desolate landscape, intensifying the despair of the place, and Álex struggles with the urge to help a child drawing the sun in the mud, though she remembers they cannot intervene. After hours of exhausting march, they reach the mountains leading to the Underworld tunnels. During the ascent they discover that the supposed black fruits are giant spiders that attack them. Without being able to use akasha, they combine fire and strength to make their way. Aiden rescues Álex at the last moment, allowing both to take refuge in a crevice before being surrounded.
Chapter 22 Summary – Apollyon – The Hidden Spring in the Caves
After fleeing from the spiders, Álex and Aiden travel through dark tunnels until they find a safe cavern, drier and quieter. There they discover a spring of hot water with a jasmine scent, whose effect proves calming and restorative. Exhausted, they decide to spend the night, dry their clothes, and rest in shifts. The closeness and tension of the journey intensify the intimacy between them, mixing desire, affection, and the constant awareness of the danger that surrounds them. Álex immerses herself in the spring, relieving wounds and exhaustion, and Aiden eventually joins her, although he insists on keeping watch. Between gestures, silences, and touch, both recognize the fragility of the time they have left and the weight of Apollo’s warnings. Álex confesses her love, conscious that the future is uncertain and that they may not have another chance to share that moment. The night in the cavern becomes a brief refuge against the constant threat of the Underworld and the destiny that approaches.
Chapter 23 Summary – Apollyon – Seth’s Voice Through the Bond
After a brief rest, Álex wakes before Aiden and reflects on the threat posed by Seth and Lucian. While Aiden sleeps, the headache returns and the connection with Seth activates, allowing her to speak to him without mental displacement. Through the bond, Seth appears ironic, provocative, and vulnerable, revealing that he still feels tied to her and convinced that Lucian cares about him. Álex tries to reason, stating that Seth deserves something better and that he is being manipulated by the ether, but her words provoke anger and resistance. Seth admits that he always knew he would never take Aiden’s place in her heart, even if the attraction between them was real. The conversation leaves Álex emotionally drained, caught between compassion and the certainty that maybe there is no possible redemption. Seth abruptly cuts off the connection, leaving her with the bitter sensation of having definitively lost someone important and with the mission even heavier.
Chapter 24 Summary – Apollyon – The Valley of Lament and the Plains of Judgment
At dawn, Álex confesses to Aiden that she communicated with Seth again, generating tension between them as they resume their path through the tunnels. After hours of walking they reach the Valley of Lament, a place inhabited by souls consumed by unhappy love, where suffering permeates the landscape and the air. They cross the valley without stopping and reach the road that leads to the Plains of Judgment, crowded with souls escorted by guards of Hades. Among the multitude they find Caleb, who confirms that the Underworld is disturbed by the events of the upper world. Before they can leave, a terrifying demonstration of fire announces the sending of souls to Tartarus, revealing an igneous dragon streaking through the sky. Chaos increases and, when they try to retreat, four mounted guards surround them, pointing their weapons. Aiden, Álex, and Caleb are trapped, aware that they have been discovered and that danger is immediate.
Chapter 25 Summary – Apollyon – Persephone and the Waters That Call
Álex, Aiden, and Caleb are captured by Underworld guards and taken to Hades’s palace, where tension and fear increase as they find themselves disarmed and watched. There they discover that Persephone had been expecting them, having noticed Caleb’s absence and deduced that something serious was happening on the surface. The goddess decides to help them and reveals that Caleb sought access to the Waters That Call to summon a specific soul. Guided by Persephone, they arrive at the war room and then at the sacred spring, where Álex must carefully choose whom to call. Rejecting the desire to see her loved ones, she invokes Solaris, former Apollyon. Solaris’s appearance confirms the gravity of the situation and the threat of the First. The encounter makes it clear that the journey to the Underworld was not a mistake, but a decisive step toward a far more dangerous destiny.
Chapter 26 Summary – Apollyon – Solaris and the Truth of the Apollyon
Solaris looks at Álex and immediately recognizes the Apollyon marks, revealing that her Awakening is incomplete and that the First has not yet taken all her power. Through her account, Solaris explains her own story, marked by love, the betrayal of power, and the intervention of the Council and the Order of Thanatos. She details how the attraction to absolute power transformed the First of her era and led to inevitable tragedy. Solaris reveals the method to prevent full power transfer, explaining the true order of the marks and the risk that Álex may become the God Killer. She also warns that two beings of their kind cannot coexist in the same generation. Before departing, she leaves Álex with a devastating truth: her destiny is sealed, and the power she needs to save the world could also destroy her completely.
Chapter 27 Summary – Apollyon – The Price of Becoming a God Killer
Back in the mortal world, Álex reflects during the journey on Solaris’s warnings and the decisions of the gods, understanding that her survival serves a greater purpose. Apollo appears and confirms that the situation has escalated, revealing massive movements of Sentinels, Guards, and purebloods toward South Dakota University. The information suggests the formation of an army against Lucian and Seth. Later, alone with Apollo, Álex confronts the truth: the gods need her to eliminate another god and prevent future destruction. Though Apollo does not say it outright, it becomes clear that her destiny includes death after completing her mission. Álex silently accepts the burden, asking only for protection for Aiden and the others. Despite the fear, she finds comfort in Aiden’s closeness, who reaffirms that she will not be alone until the end.
Chapter 28 Summary – Apollyon – A Divine Enemy and a Human Army
Apollo returns accompanied by Dionysus, who reveals that Lucian and Seth are protected by the direct intervention of a god from the Olympian core. Dionysus confirms that the enemy commands hundreds of mortal soldiers in addition to Sentinels and Guards, indicating large-scale manipulation. The group realizes that the hidden god’s goal goes beyond chaos and aims for total control of Olympus and the human world. Despite the danger, they decide to move to South Dakota University, where they can join allies and organize the resistance. Though Álex fears putting those she loves at risk, everyone affirms that the fight is not just for her, but for millions of lives. The group’s unity strengthens as each one declares their will to fight. Álex understands that even if her fate is dark, she will not face the end alone.
Chapter 29 Summary – Apollyon – Fear, Promises, and Shared Truths
Álex wakes after only a few hours of sleep with the certainty that death awaits them and the constant fear of losing those she loves. Aiden senses her unease and both acknowledge that fear is real, though it won’t stop them. Álex accepts that she must face Seth and that doing so will mean breaking a part of herself, just as happened with her mother. Aiden recognizes that deep bond and validates the pain it will cause, reaffirming his full support. The conversation lightens with memories of training and their shared intimacy, reminding them that their relationship is a source of mutual strength. Deacon’s arrival interrupts the moment and brings humor, but he also shares his own experience with guilt and death, warning Álex not to break Aiden’s heart. Álex realizes that her life matters more than she thought and that surrendering to fate is not an option for her.
Chapter 30 Summary – Apollyon – Road, Pursuit, and Unleashed Power
During the journey to South Dakota, the group tries to distract themselves, though tension rises with Seth’s proximity and the constant sense of danger. A forced stop to refuel reveals they are being followed, and soon two Hummers begin attacking them with weapons. Álex realizes they seek to capture her regardless of casualties and decides to face the threat. Stopping the vehicle, she uses air power to flip one of the Hummers and fights several Sentinels with lethal speed and strength. The group fights in coordination, eliminating the attackers and avoiding exposure to a curious mortal. Aiden destroys the bodies to erase evidence, and two captured Sentinels refuse to speak, hinting they serve a god more powerful than Lucian and Seth. Unable to release them, Aiden executes them. The confrontation leaves Álex aware of the real war ahead and the rising cost.
Chapter 31 Summary – Apollyon – The Charred Path to the University
The group resumes the route, marked by a hidden god’s warning and the uncertainty of the enemy’s true loyalties. Upon arriving at the university access, they discover a devastated landscape with charred Hummers and human remains, realizing they weren’t attackers but refugees from the Council. The road becomes a cemetery and the lack of communication confirms something is protecting the place with indiscriminate brutality. They decide to proceed cautiously and are soon forced to abandon the vehicles and continue on foot, arming themselves for the inevitable. The silence of the surroundings and the scale of the destruction give a clear omen of death. Álex senses not all will return, though she tries to hide it. Amid brief jokes to ease tension, the group moves forward together into the darkness, knowing what awaits them surpasses any previous battle and that they’ve entered a war zone without rules or warnings.
Chapter 32 Summary – Apollyon – Akasha, Fire, and Lea’s Fall
The group is attacked by Hephaestus’s automatons launching fire and blocking access to the university. The battle becomes chaotic, with injuries and constant explosions. Álex unleashes the power of the Apollyon and awakens akasha, destroying automatons with devastating force while the enemy focuses attacks on her. Exhaustion comes quickly and the fight continues hand-to-hand amid flames and metal. When it seems they are holding out, an automaton surprises the group and brutally kills Lea. The loss breaks Álex, who goes into shock as she realizes death has claimed one of their own. Pain, guilt, and rage consume her as the battle ends. Seth senses her suffering through the bond and they both share the loss from opposite sides. Álex understands that the war has already taken too much from her and that nothing can break the connection that unites them in pain.
Chapter 33 Summary – Apollyon – Lea’s Burial and the University Gates
Álex overcomes the shock of Lea’s death and forces the group to move to avoid further attacks. The loss weighs heavily on everyone, especially Olivia, who demands a proper burial. Álex uses the earth element to open a grave between two junipers that survived the fire, exhausting herself in the process. They wrap the body, place coins for Charon, and mark the spot with branches and stones as Laadan recites an ancient prayer. Dawn accompanies the farewell, and the group resumes their march in silence until reaching the campus. The outer wall appears destroyed and trees felled as if by an invisible force. As they move toward the second barrier, they discover the gates are still closed. While evaluating how to enter, armed Sentinels suddenly appear and surround them, leaving them trapped in front of the university they had hoped would be safe.
Chapter 34 Summary – Apollyon – The Apollyon Before the Sentinels
Surrounded by Sentinels, Álex and the group lower their weapons as Marcus tries to explain who they are and why they’ve come. The leader is distrustful and demands proof that they do not serve Lucian or the First. Aiden clarifies the situation regarding the automatons and Álex reveals her identity as the Apollyon, provoking immediate tension. She explains that a god is behind the creation of the automatons and warns that the threat goes beyond Lucian. After a tense exchange, the Sentinels agree to let them through. Dominic Hyperion introduces himself and expresses condolences for Lea. Upon entering, Álex discovers that members of the Council and Sentinels from Catskills managed to take refuge there, sparking hope for her father. The group crosses the campus and reaches the Council building, where Dean Elders and Diana await them, initiating a new and fragile alliance.
Chapter 35 Summary – Apollyon – Divine Truths and Shared Promises
In the Dean’s office, Álex reveals that the gods want to make her the God Killer to stop one of their own. The news shakes everyone and confirms that Hephaestus was involved in the automatons. The Council agrees to form an army with Sentinels, Guards, and hybrids willing to fight. The group receives lodging to rest before organizing the resistance. Later, Álex and Aiden settle into a shared suite and tension arises when he realizes the destiny she kept hidden. After an intense conversation, Aiden voices his rejection of the divine plan and his fear of losing her. Álex admits her mistake in staying silent and explains what happened with Solaris and Apollo. Though the future is uncertain, they cling to the love that unites them, finding comfort in their closeness and in the silent promise to face what’s coming together.
Chapter 36 Summary – Apollyon – The God of War Reveals His Face
After a short rest, Dominic alerts them to the arrival of a former instructor. In the Dean’s office, Álex recognizes Romvi and realizes he belongs to the Order of Thanatos. Tension erupts when he reveals his shifting loyalties and Álex uncovers the hidden truth. Romvi transforms into Ares, god of war, responsible for the automatons and ally of Lucian. Ares demands that Álex join the First and threatens to destroy everything she loves. To protect Aiden and Marcus, she expels them from the room and remains alone. Ares tortures her with extreme brutality, breaking her body and shattering her will. As pain consumes her, Seth’s rage awakens through the bond. When Álex is on the verge of surrender, the door bursts open, another divine power enters, and darkness falls over her.
Chapter 37 Summary – Apollyon – Olympus, Healing, and the Impossible Reunion
Álex wakes enveloped in extreme pain until she realizes she is near Olympus, cared for by Thanatos, Apollo, and Asclepius, who begins healing her. The connection with Seth has vanished and the silence leaves her alone with the trauma. Asclepius begins the healing, but something dark interferes and Álex loses consciousness. Upon awakening, fear and shame paralyze her as she remembers how Ares broke her and how she begged to die. Unable to move, she relives the torture until collapsing to the ground. Then her mother appears, brought by Apollo with Hades’s permission to help her heal. The reunion overwhelms her with love, guilt, and relief as they talk about pain, loss, and the right to love despite war. Her mother offers comfort, truth, and a healing nectar that will return her to the mortal world. Before sleeping, Álex promises to free herself from guilt, cling to hope, and remember.
Conclusion – Apollyon
In this fourth installment of the Covenant Series, Jennifer L. Armentrout doesn't just raise the stakes—she places Álex at a crossroads where every choice echoes like a prophecy. War is no longer a future threat; it’s here. And when even the gods tremble before the Apollyon, love, guilt, and loyalty become weapons as deadly as akasha.
This book summary by chapter reveals that the true battle isn’t just against Seth or Lucian—it’s against the pieces of herself that Álex must abandon to survive. The journey to the Underworld, the severed bond, the awakening of Solaris... none of it was random. Every step leads toward an inevitable end.
But what comes next isn’t just darkness—it’s the turning point of the entire series. You can now continue with the Sentinel Book Summary by Chapter ➤
FAQs – Chapter by Chapter Summary – Apollyon
Why does Álex choose to break the bond with Seth despite the consequences?
Álex decides to break the bond with Seth when she realizes the connection is not only eroding her identity but could lead him to unintentionally become a god killer. Caleb’s warning and Aiden’s unwavering love open her eyes to the truth: staying bound to Seth would mean losing herself and unleashing chaos. What once felt like power and safety becomes a trap that feeds her fears and silences her will. In breaking the bond, Álex reclaims her autonomy and her ability to fight for what truly matters—not out of fate, but out of choice and love.
What impact does Lea’s death have on Álex and the group?
Lea’s death is a devastating emotional blow for Álex and the entire group. It happens amid a brutal battle, and the shock of losing someone so close pushes Álex into paralyzing grief, guilt, and rage. Her reaction reveals the emotional toll of war and the irreversible losses already suffered. This moment also reactivates a deep emotional resonance between her and Seth through their bond, proving that pain still connects them. Lea’s death symbolizes the shattering of hope and the harsh reality that survival now comes with a price none of them can ignore.
How does Álex and Aiden’s relationship evolve throughout Apollyon?
Their relationship matures from emotional distance and unresolved trauma to a bond built on truth, vulnerability, and conscious choice. Aiden never stops fighting for Álex, even when she is bonded to Seth, and his steadfastness becomes a lifeline. As Álex regains her agency, they face painful truths and rebuild their trust on a foundation of mutual respect and emotional clarity. By the end, their love feels earned, honest, and strengthened by everything they’ve overcome—not perfect, but real enough to stand against gods and destiny alike.
What does Álex’s journey to the Underworld reveal about her fate as the Apollyon?
In the Underworld, Álex confronts illusions, inner demons, and finally Solaris, a former Apollyon who reveals that her Awakening is still incomplete. This encounter shows Álex that her destiny is far from settled—it’s a choice wrapped in danger. She learns that wielding such immense power could either save or destroy the world, and the line between those two outcomes lies in her own emotional clarity. The journey forces her to see her role not as a title, but as a burden she must carry with eyes wide open, knowing that power without control leads to ruin.
How does Álex’s emotional connection with Seth continue to affect her, even after the bond is broken?
The bond with Seth continues to haunt Álex emotionally, functioning as a lingering echo of desire, regret, and unresolved connection. Even after breaking it, she feels him in moments of pain and weakness, revealing that emotional ties go beyond the magical link. Seth represents everything she once gave into—power, escape, chaos—and letting go of him fully means confronting those parts of herself. Throughout Apollyon, she wrestles with compassion and duty, realizing that while Seth is her past, her future demands courage, boundaries, and sometimes the painful act of letting go entirely.
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