Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

"Can you wait here?" Seadir asked. "The talk with my father might take a while."

"Wait for what?" Rain asked.

"I think it would be better if he were to see and talk with you in person," Seadir replied. "I am not one of those he trusts the most, and he is a very direct man, so he doesn't listen much to others and prefers to decide things for himself after seeing them up close to avoid mistaken perspectives."

The sea emperor seemed like a pain in the ass, much like Rain in terms of attitude. In any case, Rain nodded even though he was in a hurry.

In the end, Rain put some air inside the earth platform to make it float. When he finished that, he saw his friends showing expressions of tension and anxiety. That was weird, considering that there was nothing saying that they would have to fight the sea emperor.

"What is wrong?" Rain asked.

"Aren't you nervous?" Jori asked. "We are going to see a figure that didn't make an appearance outside of the ocean since he became it's ruler."

"The sea emperors throughout history only made appearances during wars and only for brief moments," Liss said with her eyes glowing thanks to excitement. "Legends day that one five thousand years ago was able to drown the entire territory of the dragons for one week, only the tip of their mountains managed to escape. Even so, they had a hard time defending their lands."

That was hard to imagine… how could they only drown a single country? They would have to raise the ocean levels of the whole world for that to happen. That or the sea emperor just used his underlings to create a sealed area for the water to stay. That would explain the time limit.

Regardless, it seemed that all those pieces of information seemed to be common sense since even Rain's sisters nodded after hearing that… maybe Rain should read more History books and spend less time doing handstands.

In any case, the group waited for around three hours and when Rain was about to give up on it, he noticed that the ocean was getting more tense, before long, he could see a large shadow coming from below and from the depths of the ocean.

As the group scanned their surroundings, their eyes widened in amazement. Rising from the ocean's depths were hundreds of sea folk, their sleek forms breaking through the water's surface. They encircled the earth boat Rain had made, creating a mesmerizing and surreal sight.

Adding to this spectacle, several giant coral octopuses gracefully made their appearance in the area, showcasing their vibrant colors and massive tentacles. Giant blue sharks, their dorsal fins slicing through the water, patrolled the vicinity, enhancing the scene and the feeling that they were surrounded.

Despite the initial shock and the cold sweat forming on the group's brows, there was something notably different about this encounter. Unlike previous situations that had filled them with fear and apprehension, there was no apparent bloodlust or hostility in the air.

Rain remained calm and composed, his instincts guiding him. While they found themselves surrounded, an unspoken understanding prevailed that this encounter carried a significance beyond immediate danger.

Emerging from the ocean's depths, a commanding figure gradually took form amid the sea folk gathering around Rain's earth boat. This imposing merman stood tall at a remarkable three meters, his muscular build and long, flowing white hair bearing testament to his seasoned warrior's physique.

His tanned and weathered skin framed striking azure eyes that exuded both wisdom and authority. With arms confidently crossed, he seemed to wield dominion over the very ocean, effortlessly maintaining his footing on its surface.

A display of power that defied nature itself, the merman's gaze bore into Rain and his companions. It held a mixture of unwavering focus and a bit of annoyance, silently assessing the group's intentions and worthiness. This encounter carried immense weight, for it wasn't just an encounter with a formidable individual but a guardian of the sea folk, one who commanded the elements and their respect.

"Are you the human called Rain?" The sea emperor asked.

"Yes," Rain replied.

"Is that how you act before the ruler of the oceans?" The sea emperor asked.

"So, you are the ruler of the oceans… what about it?" Rain asked. "I don't kneel or respect the king of the humans, so why should I respect you who I just met?"

Rain experienced a complex mix of emotions as he stood face to face with the formidable sea emperor. The sea emperor's strength eclipsed even the mighty dragons Rain had encountered in the past, making the situation all the more daunting. Still, Rain had grown weary of constantly tiptoeing around those in power, always mindful of their political games that treated him as a mere pawn.

He longed to shed the role of a captive beast and assert his own authority. However, as Rain met the sea emperor's gaze, he detected no immediate threat. After all, he had just played a crucial role in rescuing the sea emperor's daughter, which should have earned him some goodwill with the influential ruler.

Despite his desire to project strength and unwavering resolve, Rain couldn't ignore the nagging worry that his audacious demeanor might inadvertently place his younger sisters in jeopardy. While he had intended to set an example of confidence and composure for them, he now grappled with doubts about whether his actions had been the right choice.

Balancing the need to assert himself with ensuring Seara's safety weighed heavily on his mind in this critical moment.

You are exactly like the arrogant fool that Seadir depicted that you were," The sea emperor said. "Are you trying to impress the women behind you when you know that you don't stand a chance fighting me?"

"I only want to impress my little sisters by showing how cool I am," Rain replied. "Anyway, why did you come here?"

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