The giant withdrew his spear from the sea monster's pierced flesh.
"Wooooo~~~"
The creature cried out in profound sorrow, dragging its bleeding bulk little by little up the cliff wall of Grey Shield Island before finally collapsing in complete surrender, refusing to move another inch.
The giant retracted spear and shield into his steel body, then gradually began to melt, growing lower and smaller with each passing moment...
Until he transformed back into the original Graceful Light.
The radiant warship then sailed toward Grey Shield Island's shore, approaching the wounded leviathan that lay broken upon the rocks.
Light danced upon the sea's surface.
The ink-black waters had already faded to deep blue, and now they moved with leisurely grace beneath the storm's dying waves, flashing with the shattered mirror-like luster of calming seas.
Everything appeared peaceful and serene—like the clearing after a violent tempest, the first gentle appearance of dawn after the longest night.
It was finished.
People understood this truth in their bones. They were safe. Victorious.
"LONG LIVE HIS GRACE!"
Countless voices, faces bright with passion, condensed the thousands of words and complex emotions surging in their hearts into this single cry, shouting it forth with all their strength.
"LONG LIVE THE KING!"
Hundreds of ships and the people watching from distant shores together formed an ocean of pure joy.
Excited voices spoke of every scene they had witnessed, every sound that had reached their ears, every action and detail of this battle that belonged only in the realm of myths. Their faces shone with pride and satisfaction that they had been granted the privilege to witness such a miracle.
What magnificent spectacle they had beheld!
The duel between a hundred-foot giant and the terrifying sea monster! Ocean and storm had served as mere backdrop to this divine painting!
What legendary myth had been made flesh before their eyes!
The sea monster's voice alone had bewitched tens of thousands of souls, stopping flame and explosion in their tracks! The steel warship had transformed into a nimble colossus, stirring the very sea with infinite power, battling the monster and commanding the storm itself to heel!
What shocking revelations had been unveiled!
The "Storm God" had dwelt within the sea monster! A deity sung of and believed in throughout the world! And what of this "High God" and "Sea God" spoken of in the giant's voice?
As they spoke among themselves, the crowd's questions quickly unified into a single, burning inquiry:
Who was the Sea God?
The Storm God was known to many. Theon Greyjoy, naturally, understood Him better than most.
The Iron Islands had worshipped the Drowned God for countless generations.
He was a deity as harsh and cruel as the Ironborn themselves. More precisely, the Ironborn had been shaped in His image.
Legend told that the Drowned God had created the Ironborn to rape and plunder, to forge a new world with blood, fire, and songs of victory, carving their names upon history's bones.
The faithful believed that the Drowned God had once brought fire from the sea's depths and sailed the world with flame and sword as his companions.
The Storm God was the Drowned God's eternal enemy. He dwelt in a hall among the clouds, and crows served as his messengers.
All who lived upon the Iron Islands knew that the Drowned God beneath the waves and the Storm God in the sky had warred against each other for thousands of years. Whenever they clashed, the sea would rise in violent winds and mountainous waves.
Yet beyond the Iron Islands, scarce few believed in the existence of either Drowned God or Storm God.
At most, people knew only these ancient names.
However, from this day forth, the names of Storm God and Drowned God would spread throughout the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, and perhaps the entire known world.
Most valued among them would surely be this mysterious "Sea God."
Theon's doubts ran no less deep than those of common folk. Who was the Sea God?
The legends of Storm's End spoke of a Sea God and Wind Goddess, but those were distant and blurred fragments of history.
To this day, no specific records of this "Sea God" existed in the Seven Kingdoms, nor did anyone offer Him devout worship.
Sailors across the Narrow Sea might call upon a "Sea God's" name, but that was merely a vague title, without unified or rigorous meaning.
After all, the city-states scattered across Essos were too numerous and diverse, and the gods and temples they worshipped were equally countless—a dazzling array of divine confusion.
Which Sea God was connected to the Storm God?
Theon pondered this mystery with growing frustration. Why had King Joffrey declared that the Sea God was the Storm God's High God? The Iron Islands possessed no relevant records or ancient clues...
Even more puzzling questions arose.
Were not the Storm God's servants ravens and crows? Why did He possess a sea monster as His pet?
The more Theon considered it, the more he felt the sea monster was better suited to serve the Drowned God. The creature clearly belonged to the ocean's domain.
Yet the monster had indeed displayed the storm's own power.
That strange, hypnotic voice could summon tempests and lightning with frightening ease.
Thinking of this, Theon seemed to hear that unique tone again, and could not help but feel his blood stir with unease.
Such a powerful sea monster!
Theon stepped from the cabin and took his place behind the king, gazing forward toward where the creature lay upon the jagged rock wall.
The sea monster that had been subdued and claimed!
Theon could not help but let his imagination soar: he stood upon the monster's back, traveling the endless seas, raising storms with a gesture, destroying enemy fleets and armies of millions while laughing at their futile resistance.
How glorious such a future would be!
"Wooooo~~"
The sea monster's mournful cry shattered Theon's pleasant fantasies.
The creature was weeping so pitifully, so wretchedly—like some wronged hound crying and begging mercy from an angry master, hoping desperately for comfort and forgiveness.
The Graceful Light drew ever closer.
Theon could now see clearly the monster's current state of weakness and misery.
It lay sprawled upon the rocky ground, its entire bulk covered with penetrating wounds and explosion-created pits and holes. Shimmering blue-green blood mixed and fused with the mucus upon its hide, finally dripping steadily onto the stone below.
A vast pool of ichor flowed all the way down to the sea beneath.
"Wooooo~~"
The creature looked toward the Graceful Light, and no trace of pride or wantonness remained in its golden eyes—only deep pleading and desperate flattery.
Theon felt an inexplicable pang of sadness and gloom settle upon his heart.
Before the king's overwhelming might, the sea monster's fate had proven even more wretched and unbearable than any mere "beast."
Theon sighed inwardly.
At the very least, whatever soul now dwelt within the sea monster was certainly not the Storm God of legend.
The Iron Islands' faith of countless centuries, the Drowned God and Storm God—how could such mighty beings prove so pitiful, begging mercy from a mortal king with wails of despair?
Yet Theon could not prevent his thoughts from wandering down darker paths.
If one day the Drowned God and Storm God truly walked into reality, what would they be like?
Would they too suffer injury, pain, and even...
Theon glanced again at the sea monster upon the shore. He realized it was no different from a dying soldier upon some battlefield, knowing only how to wail and cry in agony, its entire soul consumed by the desperate desire to survive.
It had surrendered. Theon understood this bitter truth.
He also knew that the king would never waste such an important prisoner. The creature could yet live.
Indeed, after the Graceful Light made shore, the priests aboard gathered around the sea monster, performing various rituals while tending to its wounds.
The creature's injuries were grievous, and the priests drew upon the ship's energy reserves to complete their healing work.
Even the wealthy Graceful Light consumed most of her stored power to fully mend the monster's wounds. Yet the lost blood could not be restored.
Its hide appeared much dimmer than before, and its size had visibly shrunk.
At least it drew breath still.
"Wooooo~"
The sea monster called out softly, as if expressing gratitude and satisfaction, displaying its restored form.
The king stepped forward.
"From this day forth, you shall serve as the Sea God's faithful servant." His Grace stood beneath the creature's right eye, voice carrying across the waters.
"Whatever name the Storm God may have given you, from now you shall be known as the sea monster Kraken, guardian of the seas in the Sea God's name, helping me stand against the dark powers that threaten this world."
"Wooooo~~~~"
The sea monster Kraken cried out long and loud, its tone enthusiastic and vibrant—a response of acceptance to its new master.
"Good creature." The king reached out to touch its massive hide.
Then His Grace turned to regard Theon with calculating eyes. "Come forward. I shall bestow upon you supreme honor in the name of the highest Sea God."
Theon approached step by careful step.
The king smiled with mysterious purpose. "Rejoice, for you shall be the first warrior to serve beneath the Sea God. Within the Sea God's own temple."