"Hehe!"
Muria sneered coldly at the Whale God, whose attitude shifted like the wind. Seeing that his grandmother, Alysta, had not killed the Mecha God, the blue fish hesitated no longer.
Originally, the Whale God was debating whether to degrade itself further for survival. But now that even the Mecha God had survived, this harmless, cautious being was sure it wouldn't meet a worse fate.
"Grandmother, there's one more," Muria called out to the Dragon King, who seemed unsatisfied with the previous battle.
"Your Grace, I haven't provoked your grandson. I've had no conflict with him whatsoever!" The blue fish spoke rapidly, almost stumbling over its words as it issued a statement of innocence.
"What's the issue with this one?" Alysta asked as she approached Muria, dragging the mangled remains of the Evil God behind her. The sight was both awe-inspiring and dreadful as she pushed aside mountains of metallic debris.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Do you think we have some grudge?" Muria asked with a playful smile, locking eyes with the Whale God.
"What grudge? I've done nothing to you!" The Whale God felt an increasing headache. It clearly remembered having no disputes with Muria. Yet this golden Titan, emboldened by his powerful grandmother, seemed intent on taking advantage of it.
"You sent your avatars and minions into that world below," Muria pointed to the world beneath them, where two realms were still slowly merging. The awe-inspiring spectacle of creation remained unperturbed by the battles in the void above.
"That counts as a grudge?" The Whale God was dumbfounded. It seemed Muria had unilaterally declared ownership of the miraculous land, deeming any intrusion a personal offense.
"Of course it counts," Muria replied, his expression one of absolute conviction. The draconic instinct for greed made sharing anything—especially with strangers—an absurd notion.
"That's all?" Alysta surveyed the surroundings and easily deduced what had transpired.
"Yes, that's all." The Whale God swayed nervously, knowing it was walking on thin ice.
Though it seemed unlikely that it would be treated as harshly as the Evil God or as brutally as the Mecha God, even a lighter punishment was daunting.
"If that's the case, there's no need for harsh punishment. Offer compensation that satisfies my grandson, and that will suffice," Alysta decreed.
"Become my mount," Muria declared the moment the Whale God's gaze turned to him.
"That's too much! At least set a time limit!" The Whale God groaned in frustration. It had expected demands for resources or artifacts, but this?
"A time limit?" Muria pretended to consider before offering a number that would make even epics hesitate. "How about 10,000 years?"
"Ten thousand years?" The Whale God's blue eyes widened with indignation. "That's far too long!"
"Time means nothing to you—you're a god," Muria countered dismissively.
"I haven't even lived 10,000 years myself! And you want me to serve as your mount for that long? That's absurd!"
"Oh? You haven't lived that long yet?" Alysta looked surprised.
"Is there an issue with that?" The Whale God recoiled slightly under her gaze.
"Do you have any kin as strong as you?" Muria asked, exchanging a glance with his grandmother.
"No." The Whale God grew even more nervous as the two Titans turned serious.
"What about your parents? How powerful are they?" Muria pressed on, his curiosity piqued.
"My parents? What are you planning?" The Whale God's tone was wary.
"Nothing. Just curious."
"They're weak and ordinary. Not worth your attention."
"So you started with a low base?" Muria's interest intensified.
"Low base? I suppose. When I was born, I was stronger than most creatures around me, but..."
"Were there creatures nearby that could threaten you?"
"Yes, plenty. That was the hardest time of my life, but it got better later."
As the Whale God recounted its struggles, Muria's determination to claim it as a mount only grew.
In a world without strong backing, even the most gifted beings had to endure unimaginable trials to become epic. Muria thought of the legendary lich Barbosa, who spent millennia preparing to take the final step, yet still lingered in the legendary rank out of caution.
In contrast, this blue fish had ascended to epic status on its own. Its existence was remarkable.
"Well then, considering your hardships, I'll halve the time. Five thousand years as my mount—how's that?" Muria smirked as he negotiated.
"Five thousand years is still too long! I haven't even lived that long yet!"
"It's not much. For a god, time is meaningless."
"Who says that? Five thousand years is still an eternity!"
"Alright, alright. One thousand years, and that's my final offer," Alysta interjected, ending the back-and-forth with a firm decision.
"Fine," Muria feigned reluctance, sighing dramatically. "A thousand years it is. Not much, but it'll do."
"Do you even care about my opinion?" the Whale God protested, watching in disbelief as the two Titans decided its fate without input.
"What opinion? A thousand years is generous. Don't push your luck," Muria scolded.
The Whale God shuddered as Alysta's sharp gaze turned toward it.
"No... no objections!" it quickly conceded, knowing resistance was futile.
"Good. We're all in agreement, then," Alysta declared.
Grinning, Muria stepped onto the Whale God's broad back, sitting cross-legged with a satisfied sigh. "Not bad at all."
Alysta nodded approvingly, tossing the mangled Evil God to Muria. "You handle this."
"Grandmother, isn't this your trophy?" Muria hesitated, feeling a bit guilty.
"It's useless to me. I already have more source energy than I can use."
"Then I'll graciously accept." Muria sealed the Evil God's remains in his world.
The Whale God shivered uncomfortably. "This doesn't feel right..."
"You're a mount now. Be still," Muria chided, patting its back.
As he spoke, a vast ripple of energy tore through the void, forming an immense gateway. Beyond it stood a Titan, holding a staff and exuding unparalleled majesty.
"Lord of the Ten Thrones, what are the findings?" Alysta asked impatiently.
"All are safe," the Titan announced. "In fact, they're on the brink of an unprecedented opportunity."
"Safe? That's a relief," Alysta sighed. Then her eyes narrowed. "Opportunity?"
______
(≧◡≦) ♡ Support me and read 20 chapters ahead – patreon.com/INNIT
For every 50 Power Stones, one extra chapter will be released on Saturday.