Chapter 1645: Chapter 1645

The World of Atlantis was a breathtaking realm. Maria learned a lot about it during her conversations with the four Divine Rulers who governed it.

Like Lakevale, Atlantis was a Spiritual Realm, though far more expansive—nearly half the size of Earth, according to Maria's measurements after surveying its surface with her powers. It was not only spiritual in nature but also infused with vast quantities of Divine Power. Its seas shimmered with the clearest, most beautiful waters Maria had ever seen. Unlike Lakevale's clustered landmasses, Atlantis was shaped as a sphere, resembling a vast nautical world.

The realm possessed a star and three moons: one blue, one red, and one purple. Each moon symbolized a different phase of the ocean and its waves, and all were revered by the inhabitants as sacred, much like the Divine Rulers themselves.

Realms, unlike planets, functioned differently. They were fragments of divine land that typically formed within the soul of a god. However, the realms incorporated into the Tower had fused with actual land or oceans from the refugees' original worlds, altering their nature. Atlantis was born from the Divine Realm of Oceanus and Thalassa, combined with much of the Original Spirit World's seas before its destruction.

As a result, Atlantis was significantly larger and richer in essence and resources than Lakevale, which was comparable in size to a single island. The world lacked major continents, consisting instead of scattered archipelagos and islands of varying sizes, climates, and populations.

Initially, the surface remained largely unexplored by the Merfolk. But as they ventured outward and interacted with the land dwellers inhabiting the islands, they discovered an entirely new world. Trade and diplomacy flourished, leading to the development of a more interconnected civilization.

Even now, pirates roam both the surface and the depths. The Ocean Guard, under the direct command of Oceanus, works tirelessly to suppress them. Yet these threats pale in comparison to the Ancient Kraken—a Calamity that nearly destroyed Atlantis.

Oceanus and his family recounted the tale of the Kraken's emergence. It had appeared suddenly from a massive vortex linked to an underwater gate. From it came a colossal aquatic chimera with long tentacles and hundreds of heads, laying countless eggs across the ocean floor and unleashing millions of aberrations. Thɪs chapter is updated by novelꜰire.net

Entire civilizations collapsed under the weight of this monstrous invasion. It was the primary reason Naiad, and a large portion of the Merfolk fled Atlantis for the world of Yggdrasil. After Naiad's departure, Oceanus and his family never saw her again. They deeply regretted how they had treated her, especially for choosing to escape—a sorrow that lingered for thousands of years.

Eustace, the ghost of Naiad's former lover, shared what he knew of her life on Earth. He revealed stories the royal family had never heard, offering glimpses into the sacrifices she made. They were moved by how hard she worked to help the Merfolk settle in Yggdrasil's oceans. She had even sacrificed herself to become the Divine Spirit under Oceania, the Goddess of the Seas of Yggdrasil and one of Odin's daughters, to protect her people from the Aesir.

After serving Oceania for millennia, Naiad eventually escaped her grasp, unable to continue fulfilling her duties. She fled to the deserts of Midgard, where Oceania's influence was weakest and where she could remain hidden. There, Naiad created an oasis to rest and recover her strength. A village gradually formed around it, and she became its divine guardian, known and beloved as the Oasis Spirit by the people of Goldsand.

"So you were the man she told us about back then," Oceanus said.

"Yes. I misjudged her," Eustace replied. "At the time, I had no idea she possessed divine powers. I think she lied to me. She claimed to be a priestess who had fled her village to avoid being sacrificed to a Deep-Water God."

"Well, that's quite a tale," Thalassa sighed. "But yes, Naiad was playful like that. Maybe she said it half-jokingly. We never did anything like that."

"I know now it wasn't true. I suppose she kept her identity hidden to protect you," Eustace said. "We escaped together when the disasters began. My guild believed it was the Deep-Water God, but it turned out to be the Kraken, didn't it?"

"It was known as a Deep-Water God too," Oceanus admitted. "It even had a cult worshiping it—a calamity with followers. Can you imagine? Still, Eustace, I'm grateful you were with her. It comforts me to know she found love and happiness with you."

"I haven't told you everything," Eustace said quietly. "We climbed the Tower together, each pursuing our own dreams. We believed that reaching the top would grant us any wish. Naiad told me she wanted to revive a dead sister. Is that true?"

Thalassa's eyes widened, and she looked down. Oceanus gently touched her hand. Brontys and Coraleia, confused, exchanged glances.

"Mother? Is this true?" Brontys asked.

"Father?" Coraleia added.

"Yes... it's true," Thalassa whispered. "I was pregnant a fourth time, with a child much younger than Naiad. It happened a year before the Calamity struck and Naiad left. But due to a curse from the Kraken, I lost the child."

"S-So that time... you had a fever for so long," Brontys murmured. "And Naiad used her healing powers to help you for months before she left."

"She saved me by removing the curse, but she couldn't save the child. Too small, too fragile," Thalassa said, tears streaming down her face. "I never knew Naiad's cause went beyond saving her people. She wanted to save the little sister who was never born."

"I'm sorry we never told you," Oceanus said. "We thought you wouldn't be able to bear it. We truly are sorry."

Brontys sighed, his expression a mix of sorrow and anger, then embraced his mother. Coraleia joined him, hugging her tightly.

"So it was true," Eustace said softly. "I'm sorry. Maybe I shouldn't have—"

"It's all right," Oceanus replied. "Please, Eustace. Go on. Tell us everything."

"Back then, I had no idea she was carrying so many people with her. They were hidden inside her Divine Spirit Realm," Eustace explained.