The ocean darkened as if night had fallen underwater. Shapes moved in the gloom — dozens of jagged silhouettes, each radiating hunger. Their clicking echoed through the trench like a chorus of knives.
Lin's dorsal plates burned blue, illuminating the black. He had grown, but even in his Proto-Titan form the swarm outnumbered him twenty to one.
> [Objective: Survive Titan Trial.]
[Reward: Recognition of the King.]
His Titan Instincts flared. The lead predator was the larger juvenile M.U.T.O. he had wounded earlier — now healed, its wings flaring crimson. Behind it came smaller creatures like armored sharks with insectoid limbs, all drawn to Titan energy like moths to fire.
Godzilla loomed above, a shadow against the faint light filtering down. His dorsal fins glowed faintly — but he did not move. His golden eyes watched, impassive.
He's testing me, Lin realized. This is my trial.
---
Project Aegis – Submarine Control Room
Sonar screens bloomed with red dots. "We're reading at least thirty contacts," the technician said, voice cracking. "And that hatchling… its energy levels just spiked again."
Keller leaned closer to the monitor. The drone feed showed Lin glowing like a newborn star, surrounded by shadows. "He's in a trial," Keller muttered. "Godzilla's making him prove himself."
One of the younger scientists turned, pale. "Sir, if it survives, it'll be stronger than anything we've ever recorded. Do we… capture it? Or kill it?"
Keller's jaw clenched. "If you try to capture it now, you'll be part of the trial." He pointed at the screen. "Watch. Learn. This could change everything."
---
Below – The Trench
The swarm lunged.
Lin whipped his tail, Atomic Echo rippling out from his dorsal plates like a pulse of thunder. The water itself vibrated. Smaller predators recoiled instinctively, but the lead M.U.T.O. hissed and pressed forward, claws glowing faintly.
> [Skill Activated: Atomic Echo.]
[Effect: Titan Presence Asserted. Lesser predators deterred.]
Half the swarm slowed, circling warily. The others darted in, jaws snapping. Lin rolled through the water, claws slashing, his tail striking like a steel whip. Two creatures fell, torn apart, their blood clouding the trench.
But the M.U.T.O. slammed into him head-on, its claws raking his flank. Scales tore; pain shot through his side. Lin roared, releasing a burst of blue energy from his throat — a partial atomic pulse.
The wave ripped through three of the smaller predators, disintegrating them. The M.U.T.O. screeched but held on, wings battering Lin with hurricane currents.
> [Health: 540/680.]
Lin's eyes burned. He wasn't just fighting for survival now — he was fighting for a place in the Titan hierarchy. If I fail, I die. If I succeed, I rise.
He lunged, biting into the M.U.T.O.'s wing joint again, but this time his Proto-Titan jaws crushed through the armored membrane. The creature shrieked, thrashing wildly.
All around them, the swarm faltered. Godzilla's shadow shifted above, his fins flickering brighter — a silent warning to the predators.
---
Project Aegis – Submarine Control Room
"They're scattering," the technician whispered. "Look at the readings. The hatchling's asserting dominance."
Keller didn't move. "Not yet. The M.U.T.O.'s the key. If it kills that, it's truly ascended."
A younger crew member spoke nervously. "Sir, if it does ascend… how do we stop it?"
Keller's eyes never left the screen. "You don't."
---
Below – The Trench
The M.U.T.O. lunged for Lin's throat. He met it head-on, his dorsal plates glowing brighter than ever. Energy surged into his chest.
> [New Skill Unlocked: Proto-Atomic Breath (Limited).]
Lin's jaws opened. A narrow beam of blue energy lanced out, striking the M.U.T.O. full in the chest. The creature convulsed as the beam burned through its armor, then went still, drifting downward into the abyss.
Silence. The swarm scattered, fleeing into cracks and shadows. The trench fell still.
> [Objective Complete: Survive Titan Trial.]
[Reward Gained: Recognition of the King.]
Lin floated in the dark water, dorsal plates dimming. His chest heaved. He felt different — heavier, stronger, the ocean bending slightly to his presence.
Godzilla descended a little, massive head lowering until one glowing eye filled Lin's vision. The King's aura pressed against him like a mountain. Lin's instincts screamed to bow, but his Titan blood hummed with power.
The King's rumble rolled through the water — not hostile, but heavy with meaning. A sound that said: You are acknowledged.
But before Lin could respond, his system chimed again.
> [Warning: Unknown Signal Detected.]
[Source: Human Technology.]
He turned upward. Small lights flickered above the trench — submersible drones descending, metal claws and containment nets glinting in their frames. Project Aegis had decided.
They weren't just watching anymore.
---
To be continued…
⚡️ Next Chapter Teaser:
With the trial complete and Godzilla acknowledging him, Lin faces a new threat — humans. Project Aegis moves to capture him, but their interference might trigger a catastrophic confrontation between King and Heir.