"We have endured tide and storm for centuries. To lean too heavily on another would sha us. Yet we will never forget that it was you who carved open the night and broke the Murder. Our strength now is because you gave us the chance to find it again."
Damon nodded. "Okay. Just don’t hesitate to let know if you need any help. We will probably be here for so more ti until the portal stabilizes."
"Your presence alone steadies the tide, my Lord. With you here, even the dark currents hesitate to stir."
Damon could only chuckle helplessly at the guy’s stubborn attitude. "Flattery aside, it’s good that you’re not letting victory make you complacent. Enemies have a way of sniffing out weakness the mont you relax. Keep your warriors sharp. There is also sothing else I need to talk to you about. I hope you are not offended by my words."
The rman imdiately shook his head. "My lord, no word of yours could offend us. But fret not, I have already prepared everything for your needs. I have selected fifty of our finest virgin rwon, and they have all been instructed to dedicate themselves wholly to your service. They are yours to use as you please."
Damon’s eyes widened. "Cough. What are you talking about? I don’t need any such service. I wanted to ask you about tears. rpeople’s tears."
The rman froze, clearly startled by Damon’s blunt refusal. "My Lord, forgive . I thought you spoke of... tribute. But I have clearly misunderstood you. I was too hasty, too presumptuous. Our ways are crude compared to your grandeur, Blood God. Please, strike down if I have offended you."
Damon waved a hand dismissively. "Relax, it’s fine. It’s an honest misunderstanding."
The leader bowed and quickly spoke. "My Lord, I am very grateful for your generosity. But I am afraid I once again have to disappoint you. Please strike down this instant."
Damon rubbed his temples. "Can you explain things to first? What are you talking about?"
The leader sighed and then explained. "My Lord, I am afraid that soone has spread you misinformation. The rumors about rpeople’s tears are widely spread. Our tears are indeed valuable to a certain extent, but they are no life-saving elixirs."
Damon nodded. "I already know that."
"My Lord, we are also not able to produce them at will. Only once in a blood moon, we are able to shed a drop of tear for the ones in our hearts. And I do not have anything collected and ready for you. Please strike down for not having the foresight to prepare such a treasure for you," the rman finished, lowering his head until his scaled brow nearly touched the sand. His voice trembled with sha.
"It is a failure of my duty. I should have known, should have set aside drops long ago for the day you would co. Punish as you see fit, Blood God. My life is yours."
Damon pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling slowly. "Why is it that every ti I ask for sothing, you jump straight to ’strike down’ or ’take my life’? Relax. It’s okay. Can you start collecting them now? Maybe the next ti I pass through this way, I can get so from you?"
"My Lord... you would entrust us with such a task? You honor us beyond asure. Yes. Yes, we will begin at once. Every drop shed by our kin shall be gathered and consecrated in your na. When you return, the Shoals will present them to you."
Damon nodded, satisfied. "Thank you!"
Seeing Damon smiling and pleased, the rman beca even more enthusiastic. "My Lord, we might not have tears at the mont, but we have collected a huge amount of other treasures from the sea. Please allow the honor of presenting all of them to you. Give a mont. I will prepare everything."
With that, the leader hurried off, his voice booming through the water as he barked orders to his kin.
Damon smirked faintly as he watched the rman’s broad back retreat. "Heh. Finally, the reward-collecting part." He folded his arms, tapping his fingers against his elbow as his mind already spun through the possibilities.
Soon, there was a lot of movent in the waters with rn and rwon rushing here and there. Then, one by one, rfolk swam forward in graceful arcs, bearing treasures that shimred with the light of the deep. They laid them carefully at Damon’s feet.
First ca pearls the size of a clenched fist, glowing softly with inner light. "Moon pearls," the rman explained. "They are born in trenches where the light of the sun has never touched, yet they hold within them a radiance that can ward away shadows."
Next ca a set of coral branches, crimson as fresh blood. The rmaid who carried them bowed so low her hair touched the surf. "Bloodcoral," she whispered. "It feeds on the wounds of the sea. In your hands, Lord of Blood, it will never wither. It will sharpen your essence, strengthen your dominion."
Damon’s eyes widened. As soon as he looked at the coral, he had a slight feeling, but now he could even feel his blood reacting so strongly to it. If he was not wrong, then the blood coral should have so sort of bloodline purifying ability.
Damon had never expected to run into sothing like this here with the rpeople. He was impatient to try it out imdiately, but he forced himself to wait until they were done with everything. Maybe there were more surprises waiting for him.
Then, carried by two burly warriors, ca a conch shell larger than a man’s torso. Its spiraled surface shimred with runes older than language, humming with a deep, oceanic resonance. "The Tidecaller," the leader said, planting his trident beside it.
"A relic said to be carved when the Tides themselves first learned to roar. Blow it, and the air around you will be filled with water essence even if you are in the middle of a horrid desert."
***
Golden ticket bonus Chapter!
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