The morning light in the underwater kingdom filtered through the crystal ceiling in beams of pale blue. Shisui, still bound in glowing energy chains, was escorted by four mermaid guards clad in armored scales and wielding pronged tridents. Their pace was strict, silent, and unwavering.
He was led through a palace made of shimmering coral and gemstone-veined marble, through vast tunnels filled with water pressure seals and glowing kelp chandeliers.
Finally, they entered the Royal Throne Hall—a magnificent chamber carved from a hollow leviathan skull, lined with obsidian stone and a throne made of sea dragon bone.
At the center sat King Neryth, a towering merman with a regal beard made of flowing azure strands and fins along his forearms. Beside him was Queen Aelyra, elegant and stern, clad in crystalline armor etched with ancient runes.
And sitting between them, her expression unreadable, was the girl from the hot spring.
She now wore a formal dress of flowing sea-silk, golden embroidery cascading around her like starlight. Her fan-like ears twitched slightly as Shisui was forced to kneel before them.
"You are the surface-dweller who violated our sacred springs," King Neryth spoke, his voice deep and booming. "You not only evaded the palace guards… you also saw my daughter—Princess Liryssa—in a state no outsider ever should."
Shisui opened his mouth to speak, but the Queen's cold voice cut in, "By our ancient laws, her purity has been tainted… whether by intent or accident. You must be executed to preserve her honor."
Princess Liryssa remained silent, her gaze lowered.
Shisui looked up, calm despite the storm brewing around him. "I didn't mean to trespass. I opened a dimensional rift by mistake. But if your punishment is death… I'll have to decline."
Without another word, his Aetherion Eye activated—crimson and gold fractals spinning in his irises. The chains shattered into stardust.
Gasps echoed throughout the hall.
In a blink, Iron Tempest cloaked his body in a swift aura of sharpened wind and spatial energy. He vanished in a blur, knocking out the guards before they could react.
With precise movements, he appeared behind Liryssa and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Sorry, Princess. You're coming with me."
And just like that, they vanished into a ripple of spatial wind.