The Coral Veil drifted silent.
War had paused, not ended—like breath held between heartbeats.
Wounded soldiers—Tideborn and Skyguard—were tended in makeshift shelters formed from reef and summoned cloud. Sea dragons floated wounded in the depths. Harpoon craters scarred the reef wall.
Poseidon stood ankle-deep in still water, face tilted toward the sky.
Lightning still rolled behind the clouds.
But it did not fall.
"He's watching," said Varun quietly beside him.
Poseidon didn't respond. His grip on the Trident had not loosened since the clash.
Messenger from the Storm
Then, without warning, the sea trembled.
The clouds above parted, forming a perfect circle.
A beam of golden light struck down from Olympus, piercing the ocean like a blade. The light didn't burn—it commanded.
The waves around Poseidon stilled completely.
Then a shape formed in the beam—a figure of light, barely human, glowing with crackling divine power.
