Joffrey reached out through the mystical bonds to make contact with Him.
The will that spoke through the rune was utterly unlike the sea monster that had come before, and vastly different from all humans and creatures bound within the magic net's web. This entity possessed an information rune of equal standing to his own. What had begun as a mere mirror image had become His unique power, no longer subject to another's dominion.
The two forces stood evenly matched.
"You name me 'newbie'?" Joffrey ventured with careful words. "Could it be that you too are an envoy sent by the gods? Commissioned to stand against the dark powers and the coming apocalypse?"
Depth charges continued their steady rain into the depths, though their remaining stock would last but another quarter-hour.
"Who can say? I have forgotten much of what once was." His words carried a hint of languid amusement. "Do me this courtesy—tell me which god sent you forth? Give me a name, and perhaps I might recall something of worth..."
The sea monster's relentless pursuit never slowed.
Joffrey's small deception had failed to take root. Yet at least he could confirm his earlier suspicions: this entity's wisdom far exceeded that of any mere sea beast—indeed, it seemed no less than human in its cunning.
Combined with power that transcended the very age itself, and abilities that defied mortal understanding...
Sorcerer? God? Something else entirely?
"Alas, like you, I have forgotten many, many things." Joffrey strove to appear sincere in his response.
"Perhaps we were companions in ages past."
Joffrey conveyed emotions of sorrow and deep regret through their bond. "Why has it come to this between us? You strike at me, I strike at you—naught but harm comes of it all."
The entity seemed to consider this with genuine interest. "Indeed... why should that be so?"
The negotiation appeared to proceed with harmony.
Yet beneath these courteous words, a secret war raged without respite between them.
The sea monster would loose its terrible cry at intervals, seeking to trigger every fuse that controlled their shells and bombs—clearing obstacles from its path and perhaps detonating the Graceful Light entire in one catastrophic blast.
Meanwhile, Joffrey labored to expand his dominion over the information magic that bound their floating arsenal together.
The previous shift had wrought havoc beyond measure.
The information rune stood as the very cornerstone of the magic net's construction. Most implements and weapons answered to information runes' commands, while the light curtain itself was born from streams of mystical data.
Every manner of pre-stored magical power—fire, light, hardening enchantments—all drew their energy from reserves triggered by information magic's touch.
It was no mere boast to say that information served as the magic net's very mind.
But now the mirror image dwelling within the sea monster had slipped all bonds and become another independent consciousness.
A disaster beyond reckoning.
Both entities now wielded "remote control" over vast stores of magical power held within the net's systems. The fully armed Graceful Light had become a dangerous volcano that might erupt at any moment, destroying all within its reach.
In an instant, fortune's wheel had turned complete about.
The sea monster had seized upon the magic net's vulnerabilities with keen intelligence. Through the information rune, it commanded portions of the system's strength, stole great exemptions from harm, and could inflict the gravest damage to the magical web from within its very heart.
In those first moments of surprise, the monster's voice had reached across the entire fleet, and the power woven within it had destroyed the fishing net entire.
Yet this advantage lasted but a heartbeat.
Joffrey, once he grasped what was occurring, activated his runes and finally stabilized dominant control across most regions of influence.
He remained master of information's flow.
Save for the area within one kilometer's radius of the sea monster—that had become His domain entire.
Beyond that single kilometer from the beast, the magical power in its voice grew muted and weak, unable to trigger fuses on shells and bombs. There, their weapons retained their original deadly purpose.
But what worth was maintaining such distance?
At best, it might delay the sea monster's advance, yet could never inflict mortal harm upon such a creature.
More troubling still was this: the sea monster's sphere of control showed no signs of shrinking as the distance between them closed. It remained a full kilometer in all directions.
Which raised a question that chilled the blood...
What would come to pass when the beast drew within that fatal range?
The answer required little imagination.
To prevent the Graceful Light from erupting in an instant fireball, Joffrey could only strive with all his will to reclaim dominion over the magical energies, compress the sea monster's realm of influence, and call back the rune mirror that had slipped from his grasp.
He also sought to delay through words. "As a gesture of friendship... what is it you desire? I shall do all within my power to grant it. We need not be enemies, surely?"
"Of course not," came the reply. "I bear you no ill will—only curiosity moves me."
Joffrey placed no faith in such words. If mere curiosity drove this entity, why dispatch the sea monster and Crow's Eye for secret surveillance? Why pursue them still with such relentless purpose?
"What could be rare enough to capture your interest? This vessel?"
Joffrey responded with forced lightness of tone.
"Though my true form remains elsewhere, I retain authority to decide such matters. What harm in gifting it to you?"
This seemed an acceptable price to pay. Moreover, it would demonstrate his confidence—perhaps giving the entity pause to consider whether provoking so powerful an enemy was worth the cost.
Yet He appeared entirely unconcerned by such considerations.
"I trust you know I am no longer the ignorant creature of before. I have long passed the age when toys might hold appeal."
The sea monster—a mere plaything to this being?
"Is that 'little creature' your pet, then?" Joffrey asked with genuine curiosity.
"It must be troublesome to maintain? Requiring several whales for each day's feeding? Hard to imagine there remain whales enough in all the world."
His response carried amusement. "Pets that slumber year-round require little concern. Besides, it has only just awakened."
Joffrey pressed further. "Because of magical power's return?"
"One might say so. Some call it magical power, others magic, still others sorcery—the names matter little."
Understanding dawned upon Joffrey like sunrise. "Ah, of course. Magic has only recently stirred from its long sleep and has not yet fully awakened. Perhaps too early for your pet's comfort. But I could help you 'feed' it—I have considerable stores laid by."
This seemed to kindle genuine interest. "I can see you possess vast reserves, though your methods carry considerable risk."
By now the sea monster had closed to within a kilometer and a half of the Graceful Light. Even with their continuous bombardment of excessive depth charges seeking to block its path, two minutes at most remained.
Yet Joffrey's attention remained fixed entirely upon Him.
"Risk?" Joffrey could not help but question this. "What risk could there be? They are all my sworn vassals."
"Vassals?" A note of warning entered the entity's voice. "Newbie, it would be wise not to use such terms lightly."
Then came the question that made Joffrey's blood run cold: "How do you think I helped it break free from your control—that false 'Proof of Heroes' you bestowed upon it?"
So the rune bore that name in His tongue—"Proof of Heroes."
Joffrey adopted a tone of humble inquiry. "I would be grateful for your wisdom in this matter."
Satisfaction colored the entity's response. Even the sea monster ceased its advance, maintaining that careful distance of one and a half kilometers.
"I must thank you for allowing me to experience this wondrous power," He began, and Joffrey sensed the creature's predatory smile through their bond.
"Looking upon it now, the Valyrian sorcerers were truly a pack of fools! They knew only how to employ this strength for base purposes, possessed no creativity whatsoever—they deserved their destruction. Yet you..." He continued at length, seeming to relish his own voice.
Joffrey waited in patient silence.
At last, He reached the heart of the matter. "...But you are merely at the beginning, newbie. The Proof of Heroes represents only the first step upon a much longer path."
Joffrey absorbed this revelation with growing unease.
The entity continued, "Your soul's aura bears too many conflicting influences—clearly you have meddled in too many mystical fields. Yet none have truly taken proper form."
"Your vessel, however, shows promise and utility."
A smile seemed to color His words. "Yes, you remain safely distant in Storm's End, naturally. Fear not—I mean you no immediate harm."
"I have come to offer assistance."