Siren's Kiss

80: Kingmaker

The horrifying truth of his grandmother's demise froze Ciel to the core. Her mangled body lay strewn across the ocean floor, the seabed greedily drinking her blood. The god had stripped Lady Maris of every shred of dignity—literally. She was reduced to a grotesque heap of organs, soon to become food for the creatures of the deep.

Even for Drake, the sheer brutality of it was almost too much to bear. Ciel lingered, paralyzed by the sight, for a single agonizing moment—before unleashing a scream so piercing, it might have reached the ears of the land dwellers above.

Despite his madness, Drake refused to let go of Ciel, allowing him to grieve for his grandmother. His arm remained firmly around the siren prince, offering support as Ciel wailed and cried out his pain.

"Get a grip o' yerself, me heartie..." Drake whispered, his voice barely audible over Ciel's anguish. "If ye let yer emotions take the wheel, ye might lose yer grip on that beastly form o' yers."

Gradually, Ciel's wails gave way to silent tears, pearls scattering across the ocean floor. Yet the sobbing didn't cease. His grandmother... the mad god had twisted her into a delusional shadow of the proud queen she once was, only to destroy her in an instant, without a hint of remorse. It was clear now: loyalty meant nothing to Lexios. Mortals were mere playthings, tools to feed his ego and extend his influence.

Lexios spoke, his voice devoid of empathy. "Do you truly believe, even for a moment, that you can defeat me? You may have the support of a primordial being, but this world was created by my brother—and I am his twin. We shared a womb."

With Drake's help, Ciel rose to his feet, his gaze piercing as he faced the immortal. "But you don't share his purpose. Say what you will, Lexios, but you'll never be one of the architects of the universe. You'll never create a world like the Seven Seas."

The god laughed, though his glowing eyes burned with menace. "You think you're special because you can tap into Nerevarus' spiritual form? Go ahead, try it. You can't transform, can you? Pathetic. The creator you so fiercely defend—HAH! My brother—he'll never defeat me."

Ciel's voice was steady, each word cutting like a blade. "Maybe not. But he has the loyalty of everyone in the Seven Seas. You killed your most devoted follower, Lexios. The few who remain won't hesitate to abandon you when this is over. You'll never be anything like your brother!"

Lexios' eyes widened, and in an instant, he lashed out. His kick sent Drake sprawling, and his hands clamped around Ciel's throat. Drake staggered to his feet, sword in hand, but Lexios flicked a finger, wrenching the weapon from him. The blade flew across the ocean floor, sinking deep into the sands.

Still choking Ciel, Lexios reached for Drake, gripping his arm with inhuman force. Pain seared through the pirate, paralyzing him, leaving him doubled over and helpless. Ciel's gasps grew weaker, his body fading fast. It was clear Lexios intended to kill him—eliminate the vessel of his brother's beastly power once and for all.

Immobilized, Drake could only watch Ciel struggle, their eyes locking for a fleeting, desperate moment.

"Drake..." Ciel wheezed, his voice barely audible. "Accept... your... being. You are more than the Dragon God's champion..."

Drake's heart pounded. This was the truth he'd fought so hard to avoid, the side of himself he refused to acknowledge. The Dragon God hadn't chosen him on a whim. No—Kali had known all along. Known his heritage. Known his legacy. Known the truth of his father's bloodline.

The voice echoed within him, deep and resonant, from the depths of his very soul.

Call me.
Call me, child. I will give you the power you deserve...