Many authoritative figures in the kingdom, including ministers and city mayors, had gathered in the grand throne hall. The walls were made of decorated blue limestone, sparkling under sunlight, reflecting beams of light to create a magical atmosphere as if under the sea.
The ceiling was adorned with magnificent paintings depicting scenes from the lives of amphibians—from swimming among coral reefs to hiding among aquatic plants—giving the hall a vibrant character. The room was lit with sea crystal lamps, which shimmered in different colors, reflecting the prevailing emotions and atmosphere.
The colors shifted with every whisper from those present, giving the impression that the hall itself was alive and breathing.
The throne sat elevated above the rest of the hall, symbolizing authority, surrounded by an aura of grandeur.
Behind it stood a stained-glass wall made of multi-colored panels, casting mesmerizing lights like a window into another world. Attendees sat on one side of the throne, upon which sat Queen Rania D gar, queen of the amphibians, with weary black eyes, long tangled black hair, lightly tanned skin, and puffed cheeks.
Rania D gar, sister of the South Sea Kingdom's ruler and widow of the late King of the Western Sea Kingdom, had occupied the throne since her husband's death four years ago. She bore a heavy burden, uncertain if she could truly handle it.
Her late husband had left her a will assigning her to govern the kingdom until their son, Prince Corlis, was of age to rule. As she listened to the complaints and issues raised, she fidgeted slightly, appearing nearly overwhelmed with fatigue.
Her eyes, which once sparkled, now seemed tired, as if the worries of the whole kingdom were reflected in her gaze. Still, she held herself together bravely, knowing this was her duty. The weight of the throne felt as if it rested solely on her shoulders. She knew she had to stay in control—for her son.
Mayor Shark Hastings of Green Piece stood and hobbled to the center of the hall, dragging one leg as though limping, a desperate attempt to win sympathy. In a halting voice, he said, "Your Majesty, the number of sea monsters has recently increased drastically near Green Piece. Ten passing ships have disappeared as a result."
Queen Rania, listening intently, interrupted, pressing her forehead in concern: "Forgive me, Mr. Shark, but you say many ships have vanished. Yet you still allow ships to pass through that area? Why didn't you impose a ban or dispatch a unit to eliminate the monsters?"
Shark replied, cursing the queen's foolish questions inwardly: "Apologies, Your Majesty, but I did take action. I even participated in killing some of them—this is how I injured my leg."
Rania scrutinized his leg, realizing he was faking the injury. She had already received a secret report stating the ban was only declared yesterday. She said with a sarcastic tone, "I didn't know you were a warrior, Mr. Shark. I'm truly astonished by your bravery."
Then, in a sharper tone, she continued, "Is that what you expected me to say? Mr. Shark, do you think my role is to sit here listening to your babble every month? I know of your repeated negligence that led to the deaths of dozens of amphibians. You lie with no shame."
Shark's face turned red, sweat pouring down as if he were racing against time. He stared at the ground to avoid her piercing gaze, murmuring, "That was foolish of me, Your Majesty. It won't happen again."
A heavy silence fell over the hall as everyone awaited the queen's response. She knew her words were harsh, but it was vital to show that leadership demands accountability and that negligence can bring dire consequences.
She looked around at the attendees, then back at Shark. "You're right, Mr. Shark, it won't happen again—because I hereby relieve you of your position as Mayor of Green Piece."
Shark was stunned, the hall filled with whispers. His face went from red to pale yellow in disbelief. "But Your Majesty, you're punishing me for something minor. You can't just dismiss me over a simple mistake!"
Rania replied, her voice echoing through the hall: "The lives of the amphibians are not a minor matter, Mr. Shark. Your neglect shows incompetence. You tarnish not just your reputation but the king's as well."
Shark left in silence, his face twisted with fury. In his mind, he cursed so profusely that if the queen had heard him, she would've had his head on a spike. All eyes followed him as he left, deepening his humiliation.
At that moment, Prince Corliss entered the hall, drawing the attention of everyone. He walked toward the seat beside the queen, trying to appear calm, but inside, anxiety twisted his chest.
The queen leaned toward Corliss and spoke in a low voice, "Where have you been all this time? I told you about the session yesterday." Corlis searched for an excuse to avoid admitting he had forgotten and was playing with Nile. "Apologies, Your Majesty, I had important business that delayed me."
His voice trembled with unease, the words stumbling in his throat. The queen didn't buy it. She expected something more convincing. She looked at him sharply, clearly annoyed.
"Was that one of Sir Nile's ridiculous excuses? Or do you think storytelling and jokes are more important? We're in session now—I'll deal with this later." Corliss shivered at her words, questions spinning in his mind. Is she spying on me? he wondered, deep in thought.
His train of thought was broken by a voice he dreaded. His uncle spoke with mockery: "My nephew, the future king, arrives late and no one even noticed his absence. Strange, isn't it? Seems like his presence—or absence—makes no difference."
It was clear to Corliss that his uncle was mocking him, implying his existence was insignificant. Corliss opened his mouth to respond, but the words froze.
Rania's provocative words made the atmosphere tense, the hall thick with stressed murmurs as she and vortex exchanged looks of hatred—if those glances were weapons, one would have blown the other's head off.
vortex was among those who believed Corliss unfit to be king. He never missed a chance to slip in subtle insults. When facing Corliss, he saw the image of his weak brother who only got the crown because he was born earlier. For vortex, only competence should determine rulership—or the kingdom was doomed.
A sly smile appeared on vortex's face as he responded to the queen, "Perhaps these people are purposeless because the incompetent have taken their seats. But justice will prevail, and everyone will get what they deserve."
Breaths froze. All eyes turned to Corlis, whose face grew hot with shame. He knew vortex aimed to undermine him, but couldn't fight back.
Rania wouldn't let Fortax continue spreading his venom. "What exactly do you mean, Prince Vortex?" she asked firmly.
vortex smiled, his blue eyes hiding secrets like a deep ocean. He slicked back his golden hair and wiped sweat from his brow with a handkerchief, then sat down and said in a calmer tone: "I mean nothing. I'm only meaning not everyone can be like Emperor Moonlight D gar. Let him at least try not to become like him."
He didn't finish, but the meaning was clear. If there was ever an example of a terrible king, none was worse than Rak D gar—known mockingly as "the Towel of the Court." The D gar family wished they could erase his name from their history.
At that point, the elderly minister Oceane stood up, leaning on his cane. His thick white beard covered most of his face. With heavy brows shading his half-closed eyes, he looked at the queen and said, stroking his beard, "Your Majesty, Prince vortex , this situation calls for wisdom and calm. We're in the royal hall, where discussions should be productive, not a platform for trading accusations."
Ocean sat back down on his chair, wincing from the ache in his old bones, then added: "Can we return to the topic we gathered for? Regarding the sea monsters, I've done some research, Your Majesty, and I've found that this issue isn't unique to us. The other seas kingdoms are facing the same problem. Even the ships of the Noble Bank haven't been spared from the attacks... We don't know why the sea monster assaults have grown this intense. So I propose that we add members of the Storm Squad to our ship crews—their presence would provide protection against any attack, helping us avoid further losses."
The queen gathered her strength, trying to push away the tension that had overwhelmed her moments ago. She looked deeply at the minister, then said in a calm but firm voice: "That's a good idea, Minister, but something bothers me. How could sea monsters coordinate to carry out the same actions in all four seas at the same time? Is this really just a coincidence?"
Minister Ocean took his time to organize his thoughts as he swallowed to ease the dryness in his throat. "I'm not sure, but according to the reports I received, most of the incidents share one thing in common—the name 'Faizen' written in blood on the wreckage of the ships."
As the discussions intensified in the hall, Prince Corlis listened carefully to the minister's words, which struck him as both strange and suspicious. Doubts arose in his mind about whether this could have been done by an ordinary monster. But a darker, more terrifying thought began to form in his head, prompting him to make a decision.
He gathered his courage, his heart pounding, and then spoke clearly: "If there's a common element between these incidents, then that completely rules out coincidence. These cannot be the ordinary monsters we know. This might be linked to the aberrant monsters—creatures we know nothing about. Which raises a critical question: is it possible that the nightmare of the past has returned?"
Silence filled the hall, and the whispers of those present vanished, making Corlis feel increasingly anxious. He began fidgeting with his fingers, trying to ease the pressure crushing his chest, even doubting whether he had just said something foolish. But what pushed him to speak were the stories he had read—tales of monsters with intelligence and the ability to communicate in language. Those creatures were once terrifying beings that walked the earth in ancient times.
The minister broke the silence with a light chuckle, triggering laughter among the audience, as he played with his long beard. He said with a smile that revealed his golden teeth: "You shouldn't believe everything you read or hear, young prince. Sea monsters are mindless creatures; all they know is how to devour. As for the intelligent monsters you mentioned—they're nothing more than myths made up by humans. For over a thousand years, no one has claimed to have seen such a being on land or sea. Some humans even doubt they ever existed at all."
Queen Rania turned her face toward Corlis, whose face had turned red from the heat rising within him. She smiled with pride because he had finally spoken his mind without worrying about how others might respond. But suddenly, a question crossed her mind—one that everyone else had overlooked. She turned back to the minister and asked: "Tell me, Minister, who is this 'Faizen'?"
The minister replied: "We're still investigating the matter, Your Majesty. In my opinion, he might just be a pirate seeking fame, writing his name on the wreckage after the monsters destroy the ships. What supports this theory is that the blood used to write the name on all the ships didn't match any of the crew. It all belonged to a single individual—a man named Don Wind."
Leon Marin garow, Nile's father, was seated to the right of the throne. He looked like he was in his thirties, even though he was actually in his fifties. Brown was the color that defined him—it dominated his slicked-back hair, his beard, his eyes, and even his clothing. He stood up from his seat as soon as he heard the familiar name. Over the years, he had met many people from different walks of life, unlike the others present. But this name struck a chord. Thanks to his family's shipbuilding company, with roots going back more than a century, he had many stories to share.
With a deep voice carrying the weight of the sea, he said: "Forgive my interruption, Your Majesty, but I have some information about Don Wind."
The queen responded warmly: "Of course, Mr. garow, please share what you know."
garow bowed his head respectfully, then continued: "Your Majesty, I know this Don Wind. He used to be a ship frame engineer at my company thirty years ago. He was incredibly skilled and contributed greatly to the development of the industry, but his ambitions went beyond just building ships. He had a true passion for discovery, which led him to resign and embark on sea adventures. He was known for his love of exploration and was often seen in the far west of the kingdom, trying to enter uncharted territories. Twenty years ago, he disappeared from sight, and I haven't heard from him since."
Once Leon finished speaking, silence returned to the hall. The queen's eyes were fixed on Corlis, who seemed lost in a storm of conflicting thoughts.
Corlis couldn't wrap his mind around the idea that a single person could be behind all of this. Too many missing pieces left the puzzle incomplete, especially given the repeated attacks across different locations in a short time span. and How could this Don Wind know which ships the monsters would attack? How could he write Faizen's name on the wreckage and escape before rescue teams arrived?
"If Don Wind is doing this for fame, then what's the point? Why reappear after twenty years of disappearance? And why now, of all times?" Corlis muttered quietly, but those near him heard him clearly.
Minister Ocean responded to the prince's questions, relying on his long years of experience: "You have many questions, young prince, and that's normal. Children are naturally curious and want to know everything. I'll try to satisfy your curiosity. I've lived nine decades in this world and have a good understanding of such acts."
"During the War of Land and Sea, piracy spread widely. Pirates competed for fame by leaving marks to show they were responsible for the looting and attacks. The same could apply here. Maybe Don Wind turned to piracy. In the end, pirates are just scoundrels chasing wealth, willing to do anything to get what they want. Fame is their second motive—having their names known across the seas gives them pride, feeds their egos, and boosts their reputation among sailors."
Prince Corlis continued speaking firmly, the earlier hesitation that had choked his voice now gone. He didn't even notice how he had shifted from stammering to fluency, as if something had broken inside and freed his tongue. It wasn't normal for him, but something in Nile's shout had awakened a dormant spark—something that brought life back into his chest.
He stared at the minister and said: "Answer me, Minister. If you cut your hand, a deep cut, and used your blood as ink… how many times could you write your name with it?"
The minister's face tightened, his eyebrows rose in surprise, then he looked at his trembling hand. The veins under his pale skin bulged like the roots of an old tree. He murmured softly: "That's a strange question, Your Highness… You know I'm an old man, I can barely stand on my feet, and even a little blood loss could make me faint."
Then, Ocean's eyes widened as if the fog had suddenly lifted from his mind. He finally grasped Corlis's point. He tilted his head slightly, then said with a tone of realization: "Ah… Now I understand your meaning. How did I not think of that?"
Then Ocean turned to garow and asked in a different tone: "Tell me, Mr. garow, in your opinion… how old is Don Wind now?"
All eyes turned back to Mr. garow, as if everyone was holding their breath waiting for his answer. He hadn't expected such a question. He placed his hand on his forehead, pressing his fingers against his temples, trying to piece together scattered fragments of memory amidst the noise of thought. "His age?…"
he muttered as if asking himself before responding aloud, then continued in a quiet voice tinged with hesitation: "He never stated it directly… but I clearly remember him once talking about his father's death during the War of Land and Sea… He said he was twelve years old at the time."
The minister straightened in his seat, his eyes sparkling like someone who had just found the final piece in a complex puzzle. He gestured to everyone, explaining the point that Prince Corlis had hinted at for those who hadn't grasped it yet. "That means he's now at least sixty-two years old… Think about it! How can a man of that age pull off something so extreme? Do you know how much blood he would've lost? It's not just a few splashes… it's the equivalent of a small swimming pool!"
Gasps of surprise filled the hall, and astonishment was evident on some faces. The minister continued, his voice rising slightly: "It defies all logic. Even a young amphibian—with their well-known flexible bodies and resilience—would drop dead if they lost that much blood, even if it were spread over days."
Silence fell again, heavy as storm clouds before they burst, as everyone began to realize that what had happened wasn't just reckless mischief—but something deeper, something truly worthy of fear and contemplation.
Vortex sat in deep silence, his eyes fixed on Prince Corlis, who seemed strangely different that day. He wasn't the boy vortex was used to seeing—always lost in silence, his eyes wandering as if unable to meet someone else's gaze for more than five seconds. But today was different; his eyes were frozen in place, as if the weight of thought had paralyzed him.
Vortex wasn't comfortable with the atmosphere Corlis had created. He suddenly rose from his seat, attempting to shift the mood with his provocative intervention, hoping to undermine the prince's position and dismantle his veiled argument. His shaky voice filled the hall as he spoke, his tone laced with provocation:
"Perhaps you've overlooked something, minister Oceane . Have you considered the possibility that this so-called Don Wind possesses extraordinary abilities? Do you have any information on that, Mr. Leon garow?"
Vortex rarely spoke with members of the garow family, as their relationship was never amicable—rather, it was rife with tension and hostility. They always sided with the Queen, while he stood on the opposing end, making any exchange between them uncomfortable.
Leon garow had planned to ignore Vortex's question, but the Queen's glance and slight nod compelled him to respond.
"Yes, Don Wind was an ability heir, but I am unaware of its nature."
Vortex smiled with confidence, as if he had finally found what he was looking for. Then, in a calm tone, he said: "As Minister Ocean pointed out, it's irrational for someone to risk losing such a massive amount of blood just for self-promotion. That's completely illogical, especially if the person in question is an old man. But if we look at it from another angle—and assume he possesses a blood-based ability—it starts to make sense, doesn't it? A blood-user can manipulate blood and recover what's lost easily."
Heated discussions erupted in the hall, with attendees divided between supporting and opposing Vortex's argument. But that didn't concern him—he had achieved his goal, successfully pulling the rug out from under Corlis, who watched him with an expressionless gaze.
Vortex wasn't sure whether Corlis hated him or not, but what was crystal clear were the Queen's feelings. Her hatred for him was obvious and unmasked. Perhaps that was her weakness; she could never hide her true feelings, often clashing with those who didn't align with her desires or goals, exposing her political vulnerability.
Vortex decided to seize the moment and intensify the confrontation, ready to spill his poison through words. He knew the Queen was irritated, which could work in his favor. He moved to the center of the hall to draw all attention, then leaned slightly forward in a gesture more provocative than respectful, addressing Corlis boldly:
Prince Corlis still clings to his wide imagination, trying to dismiss any logical theory. Talking about intelligent, speaking monsters is ridiculous. I know some people see the world with one eye, but should we ignore the facts?" he said loudly.
"Isn't this more logical than the idea of a sentient beast? We shouldn't always take children seriously—their minds haven't matured enough to distinguish fantasy from reality. But we can't blame Prince Corlis for that. It's the Queen who isolated him from the outside world, never letting him leave the palace. So the only escape he has from his cage of boredom is his limitless imagination."
Leon garow interrupted Vortex, especially offended by the brazen tone he used when speaking about the Queen and the Prince, as if his words were facts and not mere speculation:
Prince Vortex lowered his head slightly, then let out a faint smile, his sharp green eyes locked onto Leon's, as if sparks flew between them, blending with his golden robe and amplifying his aura and presence. From Leon garow's reaction, Fortax realized he had the upper hand—that he was in control ,and that their responses fell perfectly within the frame he had drawn.
"Your response, Mr. garow, is overly emotional and aggressive. You're not seeking the truth—you simply don't like what I'm saying, whether it's fact or fiction. Is that because you hate me, or because your loyalty to the Queen surpasses your loyalty to the truth?"
Leon garow felt trapped between the jaws of this manipulator, whose verbal trickery was something Leon couldn't keep up with.
Vortex added: "I agree with you, Mr. Jaro, in one regard—but tell me, isn't a logical assumption better than a fantastical one? As the owner of a shipbuilding company, I doubt you rely on fanciful theories, right?"
Fortax returned to his seat like a lawyer concluding his argument in a complicated case. Meanwhile, Corlis—who had remained silent all this time—watched him with a look torn between admiration for his wit and rhetorical skill, and hatred for how he used them against him.
The Queen realized the session had dragged on longer than necessary and that her patience was fraying due to Fortax's repeated, deliberately cold provocations. She felt the moment of resolution had come. She rose from her throne with a firm movement, casting a cold gaze across the hall as she announced in a decisive tone:
"There is nothing more to add, so I declare this session concluded. We will await the investigation's developments and also consider Minister Ocean's proposal to include the Storm Squad among the ship crews."
Everyone stood in unison out of respect for the Queen, who began walking toward the hall's doors with composed steps. Prince Corlis was among the first to follow, walking a bit faster, while the rest bowed to the Queen in silent reverence.
At the hall's entrance, Nile was waiting with a smile. The Queen passed by them without changing her expression, then suddenly stopped for a brief moment and said in a soft voice barely audible except to those nearby: "I want you both in my chambers after dinner, Sir Nile and Prince Corlis."
Nile nodded respectfully, while Corlis's head swirled with questions, like small whirlpools of anxiety: What could she want with them? Would it be a scolding over what happened this morning? Or was something worse waiting?
Before his thoughts could spiral further, Vortex passed by them, heading toward his knight, Garret, without sparing Corlis a single glance—as if Corlis didn't exist at all. The deliberate and blatant disregard carried more weight than an insult.
Nile wanted to ease the tension, so he addressed Fortax with a light smile, half mocking and half wise: "It's strange how you cling to logic in a world surrounded by mystery and secrets."
Vortex suddenly stopped, slowly turned his head toward Nile, lightly placed a hand on his shoulder, and whispered a cryptic sentence that stirred unease in his heart: "You know the story of the boy and the arrow, don't you?"
He didn't wait for a reply, letting the words hang in the air before walking away with unhurried steps, as if certain their impact would linger behind him.
Nile watched Vortex back receding, then shrugged lightly, as if brushing off the weight of that whisper. He didn't want to give those words more importance than they deserved.
The story Vortex referred to was a well-known folk tale among the aquatics—about a boy who found a golden arrow and guarded it obsessively, defending it from everyone, only for it to be the cause of his death in the end, when he tripped and it pierced his throat.