The days after Nereus's return were unnervingly quiet. The ocean still beckoned him with its familiar hum, but it no longer pulled at his soul the way it once had. The calm that had settled over the water was deceptive, a silence before a storm. Nereus could feel the tension in the air, like the ocean itself was holding its breath, waiting for the next strike.
Victor, on the other hand, was restless. His criminal empire had taken a blow during the battle with Trident's forces, and though his men had been resilient, rebuilding was slow. He had become even more guarded, his eyes constantly scanning for threats. But it wasn't just the mafia world that troubled him. The choice Nereus had made lingered in the background, unspoken but ever-present.
They were back at the mansion, the evening sky turning a deep purple as the sun dipped below the horizon. Nereus stood at the window, gazing out at the water. Victor watched him from the other side of the room, his expression unreadable.
"You've been quiet," Victor finally said, breaking the silence.
Nereus didn't turn. "The ocean… it's still changing. Something's coming."
Victor crossed the room in a few strides, his hand resting on Nereus's shoulder. "What do you mean? I thought the guardian's warning was about your choice."
Nereus shook his head, his eyes locked on the darkening sea. "It's more than that. The ocean is alive, Victor. It's been here long before us, and it'll be here long after. But I disturbed something when I made my choice. The balance is broken, and now… something is waking up."
Victor's hand tightened on Nereus's shoulder. "Then we'll be ready for it. Whatever's coming, we'll face it together."
Nereus finally turned to look at him, his face lined with worry. "It's not that simple. The ocean is part of me, Victor. It's always been a part of me. But now, I don't know if I belong there anymore. And whatever is rising from the deep—whatever I've disturbed—it's angry."
Victor's jaw tightened. "I don't care what's coming. I'm not letting you go back to that world alone."
Nereus leaned into him, taking comfort in Victor's steady presence. "I'm not sure I can face it without you."
Victor pulled him closer, resting his chin on Nereus's head. "You won't have to. We've faced worse than this, haven't we?"
But even as Victor spoke, a shadow passed over them both. Luca entered the room, his usually calm demeanor laced with urgency.
"Victor," he said, his voice low but tense. "We've got a problem."
Victor released Nereus, turning to face Luca. "What is it?"
Luca hesitated, glancing at Nereus before speaking. "It's Trident. They're moving fast. We've had word that they're planning a full-scale attack. They've regrouped, and they're coming for us."
Victor's expression darkened. "How long do we have?"
"Not long," Luca replied. "They could be here by dawn."
Nereus felt a chill run down his spine. The timing was too perfect. Trident's attack wasn't just a coincidence—it was part of the imbalance, part of the chaos that had been unleashed when he made his choice.
Victor turned to Nereus, his eyes full of determination. "We need to get ready. If Trident's coming, we'll be prepared."
Nereus nodded, though his mind was racing. He had expected something from the ocean—some consequence for breaking the balance—but he hadn't expected it to come so soon, or so violently.
Victor moved quickly, giving orders to his men, preparing for the attack. Nereus stood still, his gaze drifting back to the sea. He could feel it again, the stirring in the depths, the ancient power that had warned him. But now, there was something more. A sense of dread, of inevitability.
As the night wore on, the mansion became a hive of activity. Victor's men fortified the building, setting traps, preparing weapons. Luca moved with swift efficiency, coordinating the defense. But despite the preparations, there was a heavy tension in the air. Everyone could feel it—something was coming, something beyond just Trident's forces.
Nereus found himself on the rooftop of the mansion, staring out at the sea. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver sheen across the water. He could feel the ocean's energy pulsing beneath the waves, a dark force rising from the depths.
Victor joined him on the rooftop, his presence steady and grounding. "You feel it too, don't you?" he asked quietly.Nereus nodded, his eyes locked on the horizon. "It's coming, Victor. Whatever it is, it's tied to the choice I made. The ocean isn't done with me."Victor wrapped an arm around Nereus, pulling him close. "I don't care what the ocean wants. You're mine now. I won't let it take you."
Nereus leaned into him, his heart heavy with the weight of the impending storm. "I don't know if I can stop it."
Victor's grip tightened. "You don't have to. We'll fight whatever comes. Together."
But as the hours ticked by, Nereus knew deep down that this wasn't just a fight they could win with guns and force. The ocean was ancient, and its power was beyond anything humans could comprehend. And now, something dark and ancient was waking, something that had been dormant for centuries.
As dawn approached, the first signs of Trident's forces appeared on the horizon. Ships, dark and looming, moving swiftly toward the shore. The attack had begun.
Victor and his men readied themselves, weapons drawn, faces grim with the knowledge of the battle to come. Nereus stood beside Victor, his heart pounding, knowing that the real fight wasn't just with Trident.
It was with the ocean itself.As the first shots rang out, the sky darkened unnaturally, clouds swirling overhead. The sea began to churn, waves crashing violently against the shore.
Nereus could feel the presence growing stronger, a force that was both familiar and terrifying.And then, rising from the depths, it appeared.
A massive shadow beneath the waves, its form shifting and undulating with the power of the ocean itself. It was the guardian, but now it was no longer a peaceful watcher of the sea. It had been awakened, and it was angry.
Nereus's breath hitched as he realized what was happening. The guardian had come for him. It was here to claim the balance, to restore what had been broken.
Victor stood at his side, his eyes wide with shock as the monstrous form rose from the sea, towering over the ships and the shore.
"Nereus…" Victor whispered, his voice barely audible over the roar of the ocean.
Nereus stepped forward, his heart racing. He had made his choice, but now the ocean was coming to collect.
And this time, it wouldn't let him go without a fight.