Riptide

Riptide or Anaklusmos (in Ancient Greek, Αναζήτηση) is the prized sword of Percy Jackson, that is forged of celestial bronze, a material that is only effective on gods, demigods and monsters. When used on mortals, the sword passes through them as if non-existent. Mortals, at least once, saw Riptide as a rifle. It is unknown if this is what mortals always see it as.

In its dormant form, it is a disposable ballpoint pen that reads "Anaklusmos" on the side when not in use. Once the pen is uncapped (or clicked as in the movie), it transforms into its true sword form. It is almost impossible to lose, as it is enchanted to appear in Percy's pocket if it is somehow lost. However, if Percy doesn't have pockets, the pen doesn't return.

Given to Percy by Chiron in The Lightning Thief to fight Mrs. Dodds, Riptide was formerly owned and used by, Hercules. The sword's dormant form was originaly Zoë Nightshade's hairclip, which she gave to Hercules to help him kill Ladon. Riptide draws it's power from the ocean, which is why it works well for ocean spirits like Percy. Hercules did not give Zoë any credit for killing Ladon, leaving her to face the wrath of her father and sisters alone. This betrayal was the basis for her later hatred of male demigods. Due to the line, "A hero's soul cursed blade shall reap", Percy thought that the cursed blade was his own sword.

Percy has a dream in The Titan's Curse that shows Zoë giving her hairclip, which turns into Riptide, to Hercules. Chiron tells Percy the sword has a tragic history, which includes Hercules leaving Zoë to the wrath of her family.



Use
Riptide is used in close combat, and is light and balanced in wielder's hands. Riptide can destroy monsters. But, since it is made out of Celestial bronze, it cannot hurt or kill mortals, as "they aren't important enough". In The Titan's Curse Percy swings Riptide at a mortal named Rachel Elizabeth Dare and nothing happens. When accidentally or even intently swung at mortals, the blade simply passes through them.

Riptide is used at least twice as a throwing knife, though that was for more of a distraction than an actual attack. In the books Riptide is summoned when uncapped, and stored away by recapping it on the tip, but in the movie it is summoned when clicked open. It is unknown how Percy stows back the sword in the film. Riptide also reappears back into the pocket of whoever had it last whenever lost, misplaced, or even thrown.

In The Lightning Thief Percy defends himself against a gang of youths with Riptide, thinking they may have been monsters, but the blade simply passes through them, which infuriates the gang leader and causes him to chase Percy, Annabeth, and Grover down.