Noboru sat away from the others, feeling a deep anger. This was the first time in years he had let his hate out. The last time was when he saw Old Man Fenrir's dead body, leading to his imprisonment in this place an Prison Realm created just for him. The news about Mizuki and his treatment stirred memories of his own past and the hate he harbored towards his parents. He viewed Suijin, the king of this world, or the so-called Water God, as a disgraceful king, a disgusting ruler, and a despicable being, much like his own parents who would use and discard their own flesh and blood. Noboru noticed blood on his hand, a small cut from his nails.
"Are you okay?" Sky asked.
"I'm fine. Don't worry, I just lost control of my emotions. It's been a long time since I've lost my cool like this. I'll calm down soon," Noboru said, his Omni Energy still fluctuating, causing the air to vibrate.
"You need to calm down, but not forget this, and embrace your emotions more. You've been repressing them," Yumeko said, holding Layla's hand, who nodded in agreement.
"It's the only way I know. It's how I was taught. My training, my upbringing, it was all about hiding my true emotions and surviving. You know how they treated me and the others. I was lucky compared to some, like Mizuki. They couldn't hurt me physically once I unlocked my powers, but emotionally, it was a different story. My difficult childhood still affects me and my actions. My anger towards Mizuki's treatment is partly a desire to help him, as he reminds me of myself. If it weren't for my grandfather, I might have ended up like him," Noboru replied.
"So, you're going to help him, and you won't kill him or his father?" Yumeko asked, surprised.
"Yes, I will help him, but I will still kill the Disciples of Darkness. If these Nobles and Marines annoy me, then maybe some of them too," Noboru said with a smirk, eliciting smiles and laughter from the group.
"Well, we're here, so maybe we can find some good Aquoran food," Layla suggested.
"You do realize Aquorans hate other races?" Yumeko asked, making Noboru sigh.
"They won't touch you as long as I'm here. I guarantee they won't insult you in my presence, or they'll see what happens when I truly lose control," Noboru said as he stood up. "Come on, let's head to the camp. You all are hungry, right?"
"Yes," Yumeko said as Sky and Layla nodded, and the group walked towards the camp, greeted by Marines preparing food and setting up tents.
Meanwhile, with Suijin
"Sir, we are almost done with the camp and are prepared to head out to the capital," the marine leader reported.
"Good, we can set off," Suijin replied, his eyes darting around, avoiding Noboru's gaze. "We need to prepare. Once we're done with Mizuki, we need to take care of them."
"Yes sir, I will start drafting plans," the marine said. "I'll inform Fleet Admiral Enkai about the meeting."
"We have much to discuss and plan, especially with the Aerithans, Ignarockians, and Blackstar Knight," Suijin said.
"Regarding the Blackstar Knight, Sir. What will we do?"
"We will use the Trident. In the Castle, the Trident has the power to drown anyone, no matter their power. It's how the Great Hero defeated the Legendary water beast Leviathan, said to be on the level of the Upper Void's beasts. The Castle is the birthplace of all the seas, the place where most universes and dimensions are born. So, we can use the Trident to seal the Blackstar Knight," Suijin explained.
"And the others? The Aerithans, the Ignarockians, and the Disciples of Darkness?"
"We will seal the Disciples of Darkness and the Blackstar Knight with the Trident. The lowborns, however, we will kill and send their corpses back to their people. Perhaps we should break the boy Sky by making him watch as his female companions are given to the slaves of this kingdom as a present," Suijin said with a cruel smirk.
"A good plan, Sir," the Marine replied with an evil smirk, eager to torment the outsiders.
"I think I'll keep the Aerithan female, Yumeko. She's pretty for a lowborn. She'll make a great servant for my bed, a wonderful toy to be passed around the castle as a reward," Suijin mused.
"Yes sir. Shall I go and make plans, or is there anything else you need?"
"That will be all. You may leave."
"Yes, Sir," the Marine left, pleased to cause misery and humiliation to the outsiders.
As he left, Suijin thought, 'Noboru Chikara, you will pay for the humiliation you have caused me. Once I get the chance, I will take your companions and break them, making you watch. You will regret ever stepping foot in my kingdom and crossing me.'
Meanwhile
"What are they talking about?" Sky asked.
"Their planning," Noboru said.
"What? Are we going to be in danger?" Yumeko asked.
"No, the only one in danger will be him," Noboru replied. "We will play along. His Trident won't affect me. I've sensed its power. Any place it seals me is too weak to hold me. But I will take his trident."
"Then what will happen?" Layla asked.
"We will get an alliance."
"With who?" Yumeko asked.
"I plan on putting Mizuki in power. He's a victim of circumstance, forced to join the Cult Disciples of Darkness. He never had any choice but to embrace the Void. If he walked around with the power of the Void, he'd be seen as a monster. But now, I can change his future and fate. I will give him the power he deserves," Noboru explained.
"Wait, you're going to help him?" Yumeko asked.
"Yeah," Noboru said.
"You do realize what his plan was, right?" Layla exclaimed.
"Yes, he wants to be the next Water God and rule Aquora. I understand the desire for power, to feel wanted and not treated like a toy. So, I will give him the power he wants," Noboru said.
"How will you do it?" Sky asked.
"Easy. I will manipulate the plot of the world and rewrite the story so he accidentally takes Suijin's powers and becomes the next Water God."
"Won't the other Aquorans be mad or rebel?" Yumeko asked.
"No, they won't, because the plot will force them to accept him as the true water god. They won't remember any of this," Noboru replied.
"You can do that?" Sky asked.
"Yep, easy. Now, let's go eat," Noboru said.
"Okay," Sky and the others agreed.
"So, you will really do it?" Layla asked.
"Of course. I will have him keep his memories, though. Then he will know pain like me and ensure others won't feel the same," Noboru said, causing the group to smile.
"I guess we will wait and see how this ends," Layla said.
"Yep, let's go," Noboru said.
"Yeah, let's go," Sky and the others replied, and the group ate dinner with the Marines and Aquorans.