But remember: what belongs to the sea will always return to the sea.--Nereid

Tell her thisAnd more,— That the king of the seasWeeps too, old, helpless man.The bustling fatesHeap his hands with corpsesUntil he stands like a childWith surplus of toys.

As I got closer to the fence, I held my shirt over my nose to block the smell. One stallion waded through the muck and whinnied angrily at me. He bared his teeth, which were pointed like a bear's.I tried to talk to him in my mind. I can do that with most horses.I'm going to clean your stables. Won't that be great?Come inside! Eat you! Tasty half-blood!Usually this gets me VIP treatment in the equestrian world, not this time.Poseidon can come in, too! We will eat you both! Seafood! The other horses chimed in as they waded through the field.

Percy was getting tired of water.If he said that aloud, he would probably get kicked out of Poseidon's Junior Sea Scouts, but he didn't care.

The Council agrees, Zeus said. Percy Jackson, you will have one gift from the gods.I hesitated. Any gift?Zeus nodded grimly. I know what you will ask. The greatest gift of all. Yes, if you want it, it shall be yours. The gods have not bestowed this gift on a mortal hero in many centuries, but, Perseus Jackson-if you wish it-you shall be made a god. Immortal. Undying. You shall serve as your father's lieutenant for all time.I stared at him, stunned. Um...a god?Zeus rolled his eyes. A dimwitted god, apparently. But yes. With the consensus of the entire Council, I can make you immortal. Then I will have to put up with you forever.Hmm, Ares mused. That means I can smash him to a pulp as often as I want, and he'll just keep coming back for more. I like this idea.

My mother made a squeaking sound that might of been either yes or help.Poseidon took it as a yes and came in.Paul was looking back and forth between us, trying to read our expressions.Finally he stepped forward.Hi, I'm Paul Blofis.Poseidon raised an eyebrow and then shook his hand.Blowfish, did you say?Ah, no. Blofis, actually.Oh, I see, Poseidon said. A shame. I quite like blowfish. I am Poseidon.Poseidon? That's an interesting name.Yes, I like it. I've gone by other names, but I do prefer Poseidon.Like the god of the sea.Very much like that, yesWell! My mother interrupted. Um, were so glad you could drop by. Paul, this is Percy's father.Ah. Paul nodded, though he didn't look real pleased. I see.Poseidon smiled at me. There you are, my boy. And Tyson, hello, son!Daddy! Tyson [shouted]...Paul's jaw dropped. He stared at my mother. Tyson is...Not mine, she promised. It's a long story.