Ikenga's smile softened into a nod of approval, the oppressive weight in the room lifting just enough for Tide to breathe easily again. "Good. You have always been sharp, Tide. See to it that the leak is slow, natural, and utterly irresistible to someone looking for strength."
The elder god stood up, his towering figure now back to his previous laid back state.
"Get your merfolk involved," Ikenga added, casting a final look back toward the younger deity. "Let them build, let them face the pressure, and let them grow. When the storm finally breaks over the surface, I want them to be a civilization, this world can depend on or do without."
"It will be done," Tide replied, bowing his head respectfully.
With a faint shimmer in the air, Ikenga's presence vanished from the realm of Tide as smoothly as he had arrived, leaving the young god alone with his gold, his merchants, and a new directive to execute.
