Sea Eye, the wound of the ocean.
Those who had never seen it with their own eyes often attempted to describe it with florid language.
People imagined it as a massive whirlpool, speculating on the sound of colliding waves.
Poets depicted it as the Abyss, calling it the source of the ocean's darkness.
Before he ca here in person, Heracles had read many accounts about it and queried elders about the real appearance of the Sea Eye.
With Olymus's firsthand narrative, the great hero even thought he had understood it enough.
But it wasn't until he sailed into this place himself that he faced the terror striking straight into his soul, Heracles realized how inadequate re words could be at tis.
Sound seed devoured, the surge of the waves was no longer visible.
Light could not penetrate here, for the sea's loathing for the sun converged in this place.
It was as if one were walking alone in the dark, cold universe, uncertain of one's position, nor knowing if one was really moving.
But one thing was clear: behind him lay the increasingly distant world of man, and ahead, the profound Abyss that devoured everything.
"... Although I had made ample preparations and had anticipated the situation..."
"At this mont, I still felt a trace of dread."
"Though I can overco it... it remains, growing ever stronger."
"Olymus, are you telling my will is not firm enough?"
"Or is there so issue with this region of the sea itself?"
In the cockpit, holding an iron rod, the great hero asked his teammate, as though he was also questioning his own heart.
At this mont, everything outside was equally projected.
Where they were now was nothing but endless darkness and void.
Staring at the instrunts in front of him, in response to Heracles's self-inquiry, Olymus shook his head slightly.
He understood this psychology, for once they had felt the sa.
"There's no need for self-deprecation, Heracles."
"It's not your fault, on the contrary, nearly everyone would feel this way."
"Believe , your heart isn't fearing the darkness, nor the seawater and green waves; you're just afraid of yourself... afraid of what you do not know, those powers beyond your control and comprehension."
"As a human, one fears the unknown, fears the sudden changes that could occur at any mont."
"Even if I have been here once before, I still feel anxious about this place."
Slowly lifting his head, Olymus looked into the darkness ahead.
Here, no light could function.
Even the products of alchemy could not defy the special rules of this place.
"There's no other reason, but because I know, the decision of whether I can leave here alive is never up to , but at soone else's whim."
"You're the sa, Heracles."
"Believe , as long as you cannot shake the entire ocean, the mont you see this scene, you will feel a panic coming from deep within."
This is a common trait of humanity, a weakness that all intelligent beings possess.
The fear of the unknown and respect for things beyond one's understanding stem from this.
"You're right, Olymus; compared to the entire ocean, I am still too weak."
Nodding slightly, the hero accepted this reality.
However, looking at the darkness that seed to swallow everything in front of him, Heracles couldn't help asking:
"Sea Eye is the wound of the ocean; I cannot affect its existence."
"But if that's the case... then even if we were to et the Bronze Creator, how could we possibly take him away?"
"..."
Olymus did not respond, and the hero did not inquire further.
He probably didn't know either, but perhaps the prescient creator would have a way.
And so, in silence, the vast Sea Eye endured imnse tearing, as the alchemy ship continued to sink.
...
Drip-drop...
Drip-drop...
...
In the cold, silent space, there was nothing.
Only the sound of liquid dropping, day and night, without pause.
Alone 'enjoying' his solitude, Protheus kept his eyes closed.
Over the centuries, apart from mortals who had strayed here for various reasons, only so guests with ulterior motives would co.
As for the rest of the ti, it was left to him to endure the relentless tornt of the boundless sea.
Drip-drop...
Drip-drop...
...
"Another year..."
In the darkness, a hoarse voice emitted from his chest.
Perhaps from not speaking for a long ti, the tone was sowhat unrecognizable.
Opening his eyes, Protheus struggled to lift his head.
Without any tools to asure ti, he used the frequency of his blood drops to keep count.
For hundreds of years, the Divine Iron piercing his chest caused his blood to be enough to fill a lake.
```
This was the most trivial part of his punishnt, and even considered a convenience by the Fire Thief.
Just as he said, another year had gone by… But at this mont, the reason for Protheus's upward gaze was different.
For at the edge of his perception, sothing familiar was approaching.
When was the last ti?
Maybe it was a few years ago, maybe decades.
When those sailing the ships appeared here, Protheus was astonished to find that the Humans of today had actually built ships capable of traveling underwater.
And yet just a few hundred years ago, they had only just learned to harness the winds for sailing, understanding how to navigate by the Stars above.
The fourth generation of Humans was far wiser than those of the first three ages.
Although this also brought more shortcomings, Protheus believed it was all worth it.
Nothing is perfect, and if it were, perhaps its imperfection would be the most important piece of the puzzle in constituting its perfection.
"Another fleet of ships, Protheus, guess why they have co?"
"…"
"You know, just like every ti before."
"They fall into the water by accident, encounter mishaps, tell you of the various wonders of the outside world, then leave with your help."
"Yet, from the mont they return to dry land, all you receive are curses and slander."
"So are unwilling, and thus they die. Others remain silent, and thus they never get the chance to speak again."
"In the end, the remaining ones gradually co to believe it is you who brings disaster to Humanity, so you rightfully should use your pain to help them gain wealth and divine favor."
"…"
"Oh, I forgot to say… pain can beco a habit."
"And how do you make it so one can never get used to pain? The answer is to let them see the Light every once in a while."
"…"
Maybe soone was speaking, or maybe it was just an illusion.
But from beginning to end, Protheus made no response at all.
It was unknown when it began, but another Life seed to have been born in the pitch-black depths of the sea.
Those who had co here with intent had never discovered him, or rather, only Protheus himself could hear his voice.
"… Do you not hate them, do you not loathe them?"
"You love Humans… but Humans may not all love you."
"Let's do this, use your intelligence, use your foresight, choose the kind-hearted ones and leave the wicked here."
"There's nothing wrong with that, you're rely giving them their deserved ending… Protheus, am I wrong?"
One second it was gently persuasive, the next its voice suddenly rose sharply.
The voice, whose origin was unknown, seed to beco frantic, questioning the imprisoned Titan if there was anything wrong with what it had said.
Yet the dark Space remained Silent, as if nothing had ever happened.
Ti passed slowly, the voice in his ears now mild, now arrogant, now humble, now haughty.
Like a lunatic with multiple personalities, it was constantly venting its emotions.
After a long while, tranquility finally returned to the Fire Thief's ears.
"… I am leaving, aren't you happy?"
Silent in the noise, outspoken in the quiet.
When the mysterious voice ceased speaking, at so mont, the hoarse voice of the Fire Thief finally echoed in the space.
But what he said would startle anyone.
Protheus was going to leave the Sea Eye, an utter impossibility.
Heracles fancied he could manage it, but in truth, without assistance, there was never any chance of success from the outset.
The Divine King's authority had chained this Titan God, and no one could release him without Zeus's knowledge… But this ti, it was the mysterious voice's turn to be Silent.
"… You are my choice, and I could offer you the Strength to change it all."
"Protheus, why must you refuse ?"
"Of course, it's because I no longer have the strength."
"After all, carrying Humans is tiring enough, let alone bearing the Hatred of the Divine King, which is indeed too heavy."
His words were slow but clear. On the iron stake, Protheus tried to muster a smile, but ultimately he failed.
"And besides… you, choosing , isn't really because I am the most suitable… It's simply because my Divine Blood gave you reason, making your first targeted choice."
"But I hope you rember, you are neither nor Him; you are a separate entity."
"The desire for revenge against the Divine King is His will, not yours."
"Just as I look upon Humanity, I witnessed your ergence… I hope that one day, you will also find the aning of your own existence."
"…"
Without any response, but Protheus knew the Life that had been born in the depths of the Sea Eye had heard him.
Although it did not speak, it actually listened to him.
As for its true origin…
"Cough cough… the progenitor of countless Demons…"
"Among those recorded in history, the only Great Being who has fallen… is probably Him alone…"
Violent coughing, accompanied by spurts of blood.
Typhon was undoubtedly dead.
As to the one in the Sea Eye, just like Protheus said.
It was an independent Life, an existence that at first even lacked clear thought.
And the proud Lord of Ten Thousand Demons… would probably never be able to resurrect again.
```
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