God's Gaze

Prologue

       The ocean is like an ever-expanding garden, rich with blooming plant life and radiant corals. Its inhabitants sure are lucky to live amongst such a refined landscape and are privileged to call it home. Shame how the natural wilderness on the surface doesn't compare to what he strived for thousands of years to protect.

       He swims pass a school of vividly coloured fish with iridescent scales- the colour splashing onto Loyal Riptide- the gold trident he wields in his hand. Purples, blues, oranges, and pinks shines off the weapon like a beacon with the carvings of Aenon's forefathers no longer the dull gilt he has grown accustomed to. However, the extravagant hues died away once the fish left and disappeared through the irregular ocean floor rocks.

       He wishes his father never gifted him Loyal Riptide since it only reminds him of a time where the world changed. Sure, that was thousands of years ago, but nobody ever forgets the fall of a kingdom. He is the monarch of the mer-people, so how an Aenonian weapon got into his possession was a mystery to him. Not like it mattered anymore- it was a new age.

       Westgate and Aenon fell long ago, but mortals sure know how to come back like an insufferable itch.

       He rarely ever goes to the surface anymore, but this time it was important. It's like someone beckoned for him- a Vessel begging to be taken.

       In his other hand, The Heart of The Sea glimmered. This was also given to him many years ago, but it had nothing to do with his visit to the surface. He keeps it on him as a reminder of what would happen if he never returned home- a reminder he wishes to throw away. Maybe the Vessel will like it? Using its power is sort of unnecessary since his Vessel will share the same element as him, but some humans just can't resist a pretty rock.

       Hopefully his Vessel is as gullible as the last one, but searching for them is more difficult as the years go on, so he must find them now. He isn't getting any younger here.

       He emerges from the ocean's waves and basks in the heat of the sun as his eyes adjust to the surface world. A sprawling city with concrete and glass buildings no more than five stories tall stood just over the horizon with nature embalming the municipality in lush trees and a mountainous range. Humans gather on the beach while others splash each other with the salty sea water. He huffs- just a usual day for them.

       It surely is a new day and age; he thought as he glances down at The Heart of The Sea again. It has been thousands of years since this thing was anything useful; now it's just a relic of the past- a bargaining chip for the future...

       He thinks.