Thalia had gotten herself turned into a pine tree when she was twelve. Me ... Well, I was doingmy best not to follow her example. I had nightmares about what Poseidon might turn me intoif I were ever on the verge of death--plankton, maybe. Or a floating patch of kelp.
Thalia transformed into a pine tree at the age of twelve, a fate that is both fascinating and unsettling. The transformation represents a unique escape and protection from danger, but it also highlights the fragility of her existence. This scenario serves as a powerful reminder of the burdens carried by demigods, particularly the vulnerability they face from formidable gods like Poseidon.
The narrator expresses their fear of a similar transformation, contemplating what Poseidon might turn them into if they were in peril. Imagining being turned into something as trivial as plankton or floating kelp illustrates the character's anxiety and the constant threat faced by demigods. This reflects a theme of survival in a world where danger lurks at every turn, showcasing both the whimsical and darker sides of their mythological reality.