"Can you tell us about these 'things' you mentioned?" Aaron asked, his voice echoing slightly in the water as he swam behind Heartily.
Heartily stopped abruptly, her long, flowing hair swaying gently with the current. She turned to face him, her eyes, usually vibrant and warm, now hard and cold.
"Just know one thing," she began, her voice low and resonant, "the 'things' as you call them are known as Dwellers. They reside at the bottom of the sea, south from here. They possess a terrifying ability; they can literally control the water's depth, manipulating the very fabric of our world. I've lost far too many of my people to them. So, bring me five heads, and I'll be your ally."
Protean interjected: "But you just said—"
"I know," Heartily cut him off, her gaze fixed on Aaron, unwavering. "I'm demanding more. Is something wrong with that?"
Aaron's expression remained neutral, but a flicker of annoyance crossed his eyes. "You and your people are only alive because you are my Aunt's best friend. So, don't think you can demand anything like this from me in the future."
Heartily's eyes narrowed, her usually serene features hardening into a mask of anger. "Do you think you can face me, a Beast Ruler?!" she asked, her voice laced with killing intent, the water around them seeming to thicken with her rage.
"Don't forget," Aaron replied, his voice calm, yet carrying an undeniable weight, "three of the Sirens are Great Demons, while two are Beast Rulers. Mali is also a Beast Ruler, and the three-headed dragon is also a Beast Ruler. But now... they're all under me."
Heartily recoiled, her eyes widening in shock. "What? How can that Ancient dragon submit to you?!"
"Not your cup of tea," Aaron said, his tone dismissive, "but I'll help you, and I hope you keep your word." With that, he and Protean vanished from Heartily's sight, leaving her alone in the swirling darkness.
"This..." Heartily murmured, her voice trembling slightly. "Come here, Vico."
A large, ancient tortoise swam up to her, its shell encrusted with barnacles and its eyes wise and knowing. "Yes, her Majesty?"
"Go to the surface," she commanded, her voice regaining its regal authority, "and see if those three are really under him. Tell them I'm the one who sent you."
The tortoise nodded, its movements slow and deliberate, and swam away towards the distant, shimmering surface.
__
[Water Depth.]
Aaron and Protean materialized in the location Heartily had indicated, the water around them thick and dark, yet their vision remained sharp and clear. Even in the dim light, they could see the strange, alien landscape of the deep sea floor.
"What do we have here?" a deep, resonant voice echoed through the water.
They turned to see a young man, his features handsome and serene, his beard flowing like seaweed, his eyes holding an ancient wisdom. He smiled at them, a gentle, almost welcoming expression.
"Who are you?" Aaron asked, his expression guarded.
The young man bowed slightly, his movements graceful and fluid. "I am Achelous, but the people in this sea call me Dweller."
{All Seeing Eyes.}
{Name: Achelous (??). Class: Immortal. Info: Extremely dangerous. Note: Deity of the sea.}
'Immortal class? He's not powerless against me then, and a deity of the sea?' Aaron thought, his mind racing.
"May I know what you are doing here, Young Elf, or maybe Demon?" Achelous asked, his voice calm and curious.
"I thought..." Aaron looked around, his gaze sweeping over the desolate landscape. "Are you the only one here?"
"Yes," Achelous nodded, his smile unwavering.
"But Heartily said otherwise," Protean stated, his voice a low growl.
"Heartily? You mean that Merqueen?" Achelous asked, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Yes, she said you killed her people and also said you have accomplices... Oh, she asked me to get your head. I'm just surprised she doesn't know you are the only one."
"Yeah, she even asked for five heads. I'll say she believes no one can kill her people without an army," Protean added, his tone laced with sarcasm.
"Five heads? Army? Kill her people?" Achelous was utterly perplexed, his expression a mask of confusion. "I don't get it."
Aaron frowned. "Don't you know anything about the death of her people?"
"I don't... She hasn't angered me, so I have no reason to attack her people. There must be something else after them."
"Hmm..." Aaron held his jaw, his expression thoughtful. "She suspects you and asked me to kill you... Do you by any chance know who is attacking her people?"
"I'd say the sea serpents are behind this. They are just a mile away, in a deep trench."
"Thanks for the location..." Aaron paused, his mind working quickly. "I'm building—"
"You are building a kingdom, and need allies," Achelous interrupted, his eyes gleaming. "I don't know how you gained the knowledge of the ancient battle between the gods and monsters, and I'm surprised how a young man like you is already planning to protect his world..."
"You know so much about the war, are you really a god?" Aaron asked, his suspicion growing.
"Yes," Achelous answered without hesitation.
Aaron smiled, a hint of his power radiating from him. "Then do you know my realm?"
"You are still a kid, but have the powers of a god. You are now a lower god... To increase in strength, you need the acceptance of all the gods. I, as the first you have encountered, will give you mine."
"That easily? Won't you ask for anything?" Aaron asked, his suspicion deepening.
"The gods need new gods to help. Having the powers of all the demons made you one of the kings of the underworld. You'll need the acceptance of the other four kings to be able to enter the underworld and claim your position, maybe take the throne and reduce the powers of the monsters."
Listening to Achelous, Aaron and Protean stood frozen in shock, the weight of his words sinking in.
"Who are these kings?" Aaron asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"You'll know when the time is right." Achelous stretched forth his hand, and a golden light flowed from him, entering Aaron. "You have been acknowledged now. Get the acceptance of the other gods and help us save the ten realms."
"Ten realms?" Protean asked, his voice filled with awe.
"Yes, this world is located at the fourth section of Chaos—"
"I have a question," Aaron interrupted. "Is there a way to see the other gods, and know more about these realms?"
"The gods see everything. You can enter other realms if you enter the True God realm. I'll get going now, and don't worry, we're already allies... Keep on with your plan. If all the races are under you... you might have a chance when the gate of Abyssal opens again."
"Another question," Aaron raised his hand.
"Go on."
"What do you know about the Abyssal gate?"
"The Abyss is a very powerful and dangerous place, and the ruler is absent; so the gate is being manipulated by Hades and Lucifer. Once the new master is found, the Abyssal gate will disappear from your world."
"Who is the new master of the Abyss?" Protean asked.
"I thought you said only one question?" Achelous asked with a slight frown.
"What can we do?" Aaron shrugged.
Achelous sighed and continued, "I don't know. The ruler of the Abyss is a powerful god who I can't even think of going against, but know one thing... you'll meet him soon." With that, he vanished, leaving them alone in the dark depths.
"This guy disappeared before I could ask another question," Aaron shook his head. "I think we should get more serious about our plan, even the gods are worried about this war."
"Yeah, but who is this abyssal god who can close the gates in our world?" Protean asked.
"Don't know, Ahh!! This is all frustrating," Aaron sighed. "Let's go kill those sea serpents. At least we'll have heads to present to that Merqueen."
Protean nodded, and the two vanished again.
___
[Flesh Eaters' Forest.]
In a huge, black, eerie-looking castle, countless monsters sat in the throne hall, all deathly serious, looking at one another with deep frowns. The air was thick with tension, the silence heavy and oppressive.
Unable to bear it any longer, a man with red snake skin stood, his voice a hissing growl. "Why are we summoned here?!" he yelled, his eyes burning with hatred.
A year ago, Aaron had killed his wife in cold blood, and Protean had swallowed her core. He loathed them both more than anyone present.
"That kid summoned us. I'm only here to have my revenge on my son," a man with dark skin and vast, feathery wings said, his voice a low rumble.
"He vanished for a year and reappeared out of thin air... After killing him today, I'll make sure to wipe out his armies," the snake man said, his killing intent palpable.
The other 19 kings remained silent, their expressions grim and watchful.
"You are really talkative, Mogo," Alter said, his voice laced with a hint of a headache.
"You! How dare you speak in front of me! Don't forget, I'm a Great Demon!!" Mogo yelled, his scales shimmering with rage.
"Yes, you and Talon don't have the right to sit here," the winged man added, his eyes narrowed.
"I see you have grown an extra wing, Bulk!" Talon yelled in rage.
"You guys are cute," a soft, almost musical voice interrupted.
The four turned to see a pale-skinned woman smiling at them, her eyes gleaming with amusement.
"Why are you even here, Livia?!" Bulk yelled, his voice filled with disdain.
"Stop shouting, Bulk. Or I'll teach you how... Being here is me giving Alter face, and I'm also curious about this kid," Livia smiled at Alter.
She was a pureblood vampire, her presence radiating an ancient power. She alone controlled all the four-legged wild animals in the forest, making her one of the strongest and strangest rulers present. Her control over 50% of the forest made her a force to be reckoned with.
"Hahaha... He's everything beyond your imagination," Talon said with a laugh.
"Then I can't wait to see him," she smiled at him, revealing two sharp fangs. Bulk and Mogo rolled their eyes, their expressions a mixture of disgust and irritation.
__
Aaron and Protean appeared in another location, their expressions bored as they surveyed their surroundings.
"We have only ten minutes left, and those guys should be waiting for us by now," Protean announced, his voice filled with impatience. "This is a waste of time! We can just destroy the Merfolks and take over their territory. Why are you helping her, Master? And don't tell me she's a friend of your Aunt."
"Heartily is one of the Beast Rulers in this world. She'll be a powerful ally. That's the only reason."
"You know I can swallow her core and take her form—"
"True, but you won't be able to control her army. If we kill her, they'll choose another queen."
"But if we destroy their race, they won't be able to choose another queen if they're all dead," Protean said, his voice laced with mild annoyance.
"Don't always think about killing. Some people are good to be left alive."
"If you say so. Now... what are we doing here?!" he yelled.
"Killing these bastards who have been staring at us all along."
"Huh?"
Protean was stunned to see the creatures in front of them, their eyes gleaming in the darkness.