"Oceanus," I said, trying to remember. "The Titan of the sea?"

 

Poseidon nodded. "He was neutral in the first war of gods and Titans. But Kronos

has convinced him to fight. This is . . . well, it's not a good sign. Oceanus

would not commit unless he was sure he could pick the winning side."

 

"He looks stupid," I said, trying to sound upbeat. "I mean, who fights with a

snake?"

 

"Daddy will tie it in knots," Tyson said firmly.

 

Poseidon smiled, but he looked weary. "I appreciate your faith. We have been at

war almost a year now. My powers are taxed. And still he finds new forces to

throw at me — sea monsters so ancient I had forgotten about them."

 

I heard an explosion in the distance. About half a mile away, a mountain of

coral disintegrated under the weight of two giant creatures. I could dimly make

out their shapes. One was a lobster. The other was a giant humanoid like a

Cyclops, but he was surrounded by a flurry of limbs. At first I thought he

wearing a bunch of giant octopi. Then I realized they were his own arms — a

hundred flailing, fighting arms.

 

"Briares!" I said.

 

I was happy to see him, but he looked like he was fighting for his life. He was