The mist shimmered. I saw the familiar image of a smoldering volcano — Mount St.

Helens. As I watched, the side of the mountain exploded. Fire, ash, and lava

rolled out. A newscaster's voice was saying " — even larger than last year's

eruption, and geologists warn that the mountain may not be done. "

 

I knew all about last year's eruption. I'd caused it. But this explosion was

much worse. The mountain tore itself apart, collapsing inward, and an enormous

form rose out of the smoke and lava like it was emerging from a manhole. I hoped

the Mist would keep the humans from seeing it clearly, because what I saw

would've caused panic and riots across the entire United States.

 

The giant was bigger than anything I'd ever encountered. Even my demigod eyes

couldn't make out its exact form through the ash and fire, but it was vaguely

humanoid and so huge it could've used the Chrysler Building as a baseball bat.

The mountain shook with a horrible rumbling, as if the monster were laughing.

 

"It's him," I said. "Typhon."

 

I was seriously hoping Chiron would say something good, like No, that's our huge

friend Leroy! He's going to help us! But no such luck. He simply nodded. "The

most horrible monster of all, the biggest single threat the gods ever faced. He

has been freed from under the mountain at last. But this scene is from two days

ago. Here is what is happening today."

 

Chiron waved his hand and the image changed. I saw a ha nk of storm clouds