Nereus lay in Victor's arms, his body still trembling from the intensity of the encounter. The ocean, once wild and violent, had returned to its natural rhythm, the waves now gently lapping against the shore as if nothing had ever happened.
The beast was gone, but the sense of looming danger had not entirely faded.Victor held him tightly, his arms protective and unyielding. "You're hurt," he said, his voice low but full of concern."I'm fine," Nereus whispered, though his body felt like it had been through a storm. He was exhausted, his connection with the ocean leaving him drained.
But more than the physical toll, it was the emotional weight that hung heavy in his heart.Victor's brow furrowed, his grip on Nereus firm as he helped him to his feet.
"You shouldn't have done that alone. I should've—"Nereus gently placed a hand on Victor's chest, stopping him.
"There was nothing you could've done. This wasn't a battle for you. It's between the ocean and me."Victor's eyes darkened. "And that thing? What was it?"
"I don't know," Nereus admitted, his voice soft.
"But it wasn't an enemy, not really. It was a guardian, a protector of the ocean. It came because it sensed a disturbance, because of the conflict brewing between the human world and the sea."Victor glanced out toward the water, his jaw clenched.
"Trident. They're pushing too far."Nereus nodded. "Their presence has disrupted the balance. And now… the ocean is responding."Victor ran a hand through his dark hair, frustration evident in every line of his body.
"Then we need to deal with Trident. Before they push things even further."
Nereus could feel the weight of Victor's words, the unspoken promise of more violence, more bloodshed. He hated the thought of Victor being drawn into yet another battle, especially now that they were closer than ever.
But he also knew that Trident wouldn't stop—they were a force driven by greed and power, and they wouldn't rest until they had what they wanted.Nereus reached for Victor's hand, entwining their fingers.
"We'll face them together."Victor looked at him, his expression softening as he squeezed Nereus's hand.
"Together."They stood in silence for a moment, watching the waves crash gently against the shore. The calm after the storm was brief, and they both knew it.
Whatever peace they had found tonight was fragile, and it wouldn't last long.Luca appeared from the shadows, his expression grim as he approached.
"The perimeter's secure. For now."Victor nodded, though his face remained tense.
"Good. But it won't stay that way for long. Trident's going to regroup."Luca shot a glance at Nereus, his expression unreadable.
"That thing… what was it?"Nereus hesitated, unsure how to explain. "It's… connected to the ocean. A protector, I think. It came because of the imbalance between the sea and the human world."
Luca raised an eyebrow but didn't push further. "Well, whatever it was, we're lucky it didn't decide to wipe us all out."
Victor's gaze hardened. "We need to end this before it gets worse. I don't want any more surprises coming out of the water."
Luca nodded in agreement. "I'll rally the men. We'll be ready for whatever Trident throws at us next."
Victor turned back to Nereus, his eyes softening again. "You should rest."
Nereus wanted to protest, but he could feel his body demanding rest, the energy he had expended leaving him weak and vulnerable. He nodded reluctantly. "Just for a little while."
Victor placed a hand on the back of Nereus's neck, guiding him gently back toward the mansion. "We'll make sure nothing happens while you rest. I promise."
Nereus felt a warmth bloom in his chest at Victor's words, the protective edge in his voice bringing him a sense of comfort. But deep down, he knew that this battle was far from over. The ocean may have quieted for now, but the forces threatening to tear their world apart were still very much alive.
As they entered the mansion, the tension in the air remained palpable. The guards were still on high alert, their faces tight with the knowledge that another attack could come at any moment. Nereus could see it in their eyes—the fear, the uncertainty. The world of crime and the ocean's wrath were colliding in ways no one had anticipated.
Victor led Nereus upstairs to a quiet room, far from the noise of the battlefield. The room was dimly lit, a stark contrast to the chaos outside. Victor helped him onto the bed, his movements careful, almost gentle.
"I'll stay here," Victor said, sitting beside him. "I'm not leaving you."
Nereus looked up at him, his heart aching with the weight of everything that had happened. He reached out, placing his hand over Victor's. "You've already done so much for me."
Victor shook his head, his dark eyes locking onto Nereus's. "You don't owe me anything. I'm doing this because I care about you."
Nereus's breath caught in his throat. The words were simple, but they carried a weight that made his heart race. In Victor's world—a world of power, control, and ruthlessness—such sentiments were rare, almost dangerous. And yet here Victor was, laying his emotions bare, no longer hiding behind his cold exterior.
Nereus smiled softly, his hand still resting over Victor's. "I care about you too."
For a moment, the world outside didn't matter. The ocean, the mafia, the battles yet to come—they were all distant, overshadowed by the quiet connection between them.
Nereus closed his eyes, allowing himself to drift off into a restless sleep, Victor's presence beside him grounding him in a way he hadn't known he needed.
But even as sleep took him, a sense of foreboding lingered in the back of his mind. The ocean's storm had quieted, but its power had only begun to surface. And soon, they would have to face the forces that threatened to tear them apart.
Together.