The sea didn't return to normal.
---
It only pretended to.
---
---
The surface moved again—
---
Waves forming—
---
Wind flowing—
---
---
But something underneath remained.
---
---
Watching.
---
---
The air felt heavier now.
---
Not just dense—
---
Oppressive.
---
---
Each breath carried weight.
---
---
Thalren stood still.
---
Eyes fixed forward.
---
---
The horizon hadn't changed.
---
---
But it felt closer.
---
---
"…We should leave," Kaizen said.
---
---
His voice was low.
---
Controlled.
---
---
But different.
---
---
Not fear—
---
Instinct.
---
---
Alric didn't respond.
---
---
His gaze remained locked on the sea.
---
---
Unmoving.
---
---
"…Alric," Kaizen said again.
---
---
Still nothing.
---
---
Then—
---
"…It's not just passing through," Alric whispered.
---
---
The words barely carried.
---
---
But they landed.
---
---
Thalren's eyes narrowed slightly.
---
---
"…Say it clearly," Kaizen said.
---
---
A pause.
---
---
Alric's fingers tightened at his side.
---
---
"…This isn't a high-tier."
---
---
Silence.
---
---
"…It's not the second layer."
---
---
The wind slowed again.
---
---
The sea followed.
---
---
"…Then what is it," Kaizen asked.
---
---
For the first time—
---
Alric hesitated.
---
---
Not from uncertainty.
---
---
From recognition.
---
---
His lips parted slightly.
---
---
Then—
---
"…It's…"
---
---
The water shifted.
---
---
Not violently.
---
---
But deeply.
---
---
A low sound followed.
---
---
Not a roar.
---
---
Not a wave.
---
---
Something older.
---
---
Something vast—
---
Turning.
---
---
Alric's eyes widened.
---
---
"…No…"
---
---
A step back.
---
---
"…That can't be here…"
---
---
Kaizen's grip tightened.
---
---
"…What is it."
---
---
A pause.
---
---
Then—
---
Alric said it.
---
---
"…The Devourer."
---
---
Silence.
---
---
The word didn't echo.
---
---
It sank.
---
---
Into the air.
---
Into the ground.
---
Into them.
---
---
Thalren didn't move.
---
---
But something inside him—
---
Responded.
---
---
Not violently.
---
---
Not out of control.
---
---
But aware.
---
---
The sea shifted again.
---
---
Closer this time.
---
---
The surface rose slightly—
---
Then fell.
---
---
As if something massive had brushed against it—
---
Without surfacing.
---
---
Kaizen stepped forward.
---
Blade half-drawn.
---
---
"…You're saying this thing—"
---
---
"…Don't," Alric cut in.
---
---
Sharp.
---
Immediate.
---
---
"…Don't say anything that might carry."
---
---
Silence.
---
---
The wind had stopped again.
---
---
Completely.
---
---
Even sound felt—
---
Restricted.
---
---
"…Sea Kings…" Alric said quietly.
---
---
A pause.
---
---
"…They're not like the others."
---
---
His voice lowered further.
---
---
"…They don't hunt."
---
---
Another pause.
---
---
"…They don't chase."
---
---
The sea stilled again.
---
---
"…They consume."
---
---
The word settled.
---
Heavy.
---
---
Thalren's gaze remained fixed ahead.
---
---
"…Why is it here," he asked.
---
---
Alric didn't answer immediately.
---
---
Because he didn't know.
---
---
"…It shouldn't be this close to the surface," he said.
---
---
A pause.
---
---
"…Unless something drew it."
---
---
Silence.
---
---
Kaizen's eyes shifted—
---
Briefly—
---
Toward Thalren.
---
---
Then back to the sea.
---
---
No one said it.
---
---
But the thought existed.
---
---
The pressure increased.
---
---
Not suddenly.
---
---
Gradually.
---
---
Like something turning its attention.
---
---
Thalren felt it clearly now.
---
---
That connection—
---
From before.
---
---
But stronger.
---
---
Closer.
---
---
His breathing remained steady.
---
---
But his body—
---
Tensed.
---
---
"…We leave," Kaizen said.
---
---
This time—
---
Not a suggestion.
---
---
Alric nodded immediately.
---
---
"…Now."
---
---
They stepped back.
---
Slowly.
---
---
Not turning their backs to the sea.
---
---
Not yet.
---
---
The air remained still.
---
---
Watching.
---
---
Waiting.
---
---
Then—
---
As they reached the higher ground—
---
The wind returned.
---
---
Sudden.
---
---
The sea broke its stillness.
---
---
Waves formed again.
---
---
The pressure eased.
---
---
Not gone.
---
---
But distant.
---
---
Alric exhaled sharply.
---
---
"…We were too close."
---
---
Kaizen didn't reply.
---
---
Thalren turned once more.
---
---
Looking back at the endless water.
---
---
Calm again.
---
---
As if nothing had happened.
---
---
But now—
---
He knew.
---
---
Something was there.
---
---
Something vast.
---
---
Something that had heard its name—
---
And did not need to respond.
---
---
Because it already knew they existed.