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Summary

Chapter 15

Percy, Grover, and Clarisse discover Polyphemus holding Annabeth. The three decide that Grover and Clarisse will sneak up on the Cyclops while Percy distracts him. Percy claims to be the real Nobody, and Polyphemus drops Annabeth in a rage. Unfortunately, he drops her headfirst, and she is immediately knocked out on impact. Grover grabs Annabeth while Percy and Clarisse fight Polyphemus, and they all race out of the cave.

The four heroes make it all the way across the island’s bridge before Polyphemus catches up to them. Percy charges at Polyphemus, managing to knock him to the ground. He is about to kill the Cyclops when Polyphemus begins to cry, begging for his life and claiming that his beloved sheep need him. Percy hesitates and asks if Polyphemus will let them leave with the Fleece if he spares his life. The Cyclops agrees to these terms, but grabs Percy and tries to eat him the moment Percy lets his guard down. Suddenly, Tyson appears at the last moment and uses his impressive strength to knock Polyphemus off of the cliff.

Read more about Polyphemus in Homer’s Odyssey.

Tyson explains to the group that Rainbow, one of the hippocampi, had been following Tyson ever since the Long Island Sound and saved Tyson from the wreckage of the CSS Birmingham. Tyson and Rainbow had been searching the Sea of Monsters for Percy ever since—that is, until Tyson caught the scent of sheep and found Polyphemus’s island. Percy is elated that Tyson is alive, but soon notices that Annabeth is deeply injured. He asks Tyson to grab the Golden Fleece, which starts to heal her. He then instructs Tyson to lead the sheep, who appear to trust Tyson because he is also a Cyclops, away, while the rest of them head to the Queen Anne’s Revenge. They all start to wade towards the ship when Polyphemus returns with a boulder in each hand. 

Chapter 16

Polyphemus taunts Tyson, calling him a traitor to their kind. Tyson instructs Percy to get on the ship while he fights Polyphemus, but Percy insists he will not leave Tyson again. The brothers work together to overpower Polyphemus but decide, once again, to spare his life. They head back towards the Queen Anne’s Revenge, but Polyphemus throws a boulder at the ship, causing it to sink. Percy and Tyson swim towards their companions and call out to the hippocampi. Rainbow and his relations hear their call and carry Percy, Tyson, Annabeth, Grover, and Clarisse to safety.

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