Devourer

Chapter 123: The Oracle of the Oceans

I stared at the strange creature before me, she was more powerful than me, similar to Mahaila in strength. Perhaps slightly stronger but with such a small difference victory would be decided by skill and tactics. Yet she was also perfectly willing to serve me. Apparently, she was a Firstborn loyalist, it appears this world wasn’t completely hostile to me. Even my supposed allies wanted something but as far as I can tell this one was genuinely loyal. Unquestioningly loyal even, she honestly came across as a fanatic.

I remember making the first three naval hives and sending them out against the Naga. I wanted to cull their numbers and keep them away from our waters. If our waters were safer then we would be better positioned as a trading zone and I could better project power towards the eastern continent. We have a lot of exports that can reap a good profit and Cecilia has informed me that a trade surplus was a good way to syphon national power from surrounding nations in the long term. Since the Empire was now completely self-sufficient and the only foreign goods we need are luxury goods we would most certainly be selling more than we are buying. Which means foreign currency would flood into our nation, enriching us and increasing our national power. We can then use that money to improve the lives of the citizens which lowers the chance of any divine fires popping up in my home.

As I gazed at the great serpent before me I couldn’t help but wonder at what the Firstborn were like long ago. I have seen memories of course but one thing about those memories was that they lacked context. But if this one was a creation then the creator must have been far more powerful.

I remember the first time I met her, quite a surprise honestly. It was certainly an interesting experience meeting something like that.

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Two weeks ago I was in the ocean hunting the Naga, I had three hives with me on the hunt. The original plan was to launch an attack; a few Naga outposts have already been scouted out. Our plan was to attack and destroy them. Hopefully, that would either scare them off or incite a counterattack. When the counterattack happens we can just butcher them and that should be a clear enough message.

However, instead when we arrived near Naga waters we were met with a messenger of all things. They were waiting for us with this strange banner that seemed to hang ethereally in the water. The Naga were aquatic humanoids with a humanoid torso and tail that resembled an alligator. They were covered in scales that seemed to be a hybrid of fish and reptilian scales. They also had webbed fins on their spines that went down to their tails. Their faces looks more reptilian than fish and their scales were varied in colour. The party before me had individuals with varying colours of scales. Some were a dark navy blue, some were dark green and others were in lighter shades like cyan and light green.

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The moment I saw the banner it immediately reminded me of something. It was said that both the Mugummans and the Naga worship the same creature. It was some sea serpent that lived in the Azure Sea called the Oracle of the Oceans. She apparently could see the future with this eye on her forehead. Which also would explain why there were so many eyes on the banner. Although strangely the eyes looked humanoid, why would a serpent have humanoid shaped eyes? Or was that just artistic licence?

Then what came next was even more surprising, they asked for a negotiation rather than war. But the cherry on top was this line that came after.

“The mistress wishes to welcome the returning king. Long have we waited for the return of an Old God.” the emissary had said.

This of course jolted me quite badly, how the hell did she know I was a Firstborn? If she knew, who else did?

Did this have something to do with her oracle abilities? Or was this a bluff?

Anyway at the time I felt it would be a good idea to entertain the request. I mean if she knew, she could have told someone. The fact that she kept it quiet must mean something. Furthermore the Naga and Mugummans were famously anti-heaven. Many considered them Firstborn loyalists. At first glance the proper course of action was to reveal myself as a Firstborn to win their loyalty. But on the other hand the Firstborn followed the rule of the strong, it wouldn’t be that far of a stretch to assume their followers did too. So the main problem here was that I wasn’t that strong yet. I may just be killed for being too weak as a Firstborn. Of course there was also a chance that they would see things the same way that Mahaila did. Which was that I was something to be nurtured and grown to one day topple the rule of Heaven. I will admit that the latter theory was the most likely given the opening line. However, it was still a question if I was willing to risk my neck over that little assumption.

Still the alternative was to cower on land and ignore the problem. If I wanted to survive long term I needed to take some risks, fortune favours the bold and all that. But still risking one’s neck wasn’t an easy decision. But regardless I decided to at least speak to this so-called Oracle of the Oceans.

I remember when I was finally led to this so-called Oracle of the Ocean and I was damn surprised to see what looked to be a female Naga. Well it wasn’t a Naga specifically at first I thought it was some progenitor to the Naga. I saw some other female Naga’s on the way over to her little palace in the Azure Sea. They were similar to the males in that they have reptilian tails, fins and scales. They differed on their thinner stature, scales that looked closer to fish scales and a far more human looking face. The normal female Naga only had two arms but this one had four. Furthermore she looked to be larger and had far more pronounced feminine features. But the biggest giveaway was the third eye glowing on her forehead.

We were in this underwater palace. I left my Hives outside since I didn’t want to come across as combative. So I was essentially alone with her. The palace was made of this strange metal and coral. It was oddly beautiful with all of the light coming from crystals of bioluminescent plants. The throne itself was made of this rose gold metal and it sparkled with sapphires. The room itself was massive, easily able to accomodate my size. Furthermore, something odd was that there was no roof in this throne room. It was open air or perhaps open water would be a more accurate description, but I suppose an open concept throne room made more sense when you were underground. It’s not like you had to worry about rain or snow. Curiously I sensed a magic signature coming from the wall behind the throne, I was willing to wager that the wall was actually a manifestation…

“Greetings, revered one.” the Naga said and I sensed mind control effects radiating from her voice. It was easily resisted since the Firstborn are immune to mind control.

“You wanted to talk?” I asked suspiciously. I could usually sense the power level of an individual but there was something off about this Naga queen. She was decently powerful but not nearly powerful enough, furthermore I could sense interference. This wasn’t the real her…

“How about you ask the guards to leave, then we can have a real conversation.” I said and I saw her smile in response.

“Out, all of you.” she said tersely and the surrounding Naga guards all swam out of the room. I checked to make sure the two of us were truly alone before speaking again.

“So are you going to show yourself or are you going to keep using that puppet?” I asked as I shifted my gaze from the Naga to the wall.

Then I heard a booming laugh echo out as the wall shimmered out of existence. The Naga vanished into motes of light and the vanished wall revealed a sea serpent as long as two warships. She was rather slender but had a rather impressive length, she was covered with azure scales that glinted like gems. Her head was vaguely draconic and I could see three eyes on each side of her head. On her forehead was a large glowing eye that glowed bright blue. She also had a pair of grasper hands with three taloned fingers. She had small fin-like wings all along her long frame. Though she looked slender she was still rather large, with her body about as wide as mine. She obviously was far larger than me and from what I could tell was about as powerful as Mahaila.

“Now that you see me may I see your true form?” she asked and I acquiesced.

After that little excursion to the vaults I gained a great many powers. I spent about two days redesigning my body, there were some constraints due to needing to retain my appearance but I did have some things built in…

I transformed into my full size, my gold feathers glowed as I activated my defensive enchantments. I was now fifteen metres tall when standing, twenty metres from head to tail. My four arms transformed into four wicked blades that crackled with purple energies. I spread my wings and they ignited with ethereal fire, boiling the water around them. Since it was ether fire it burned just as well underwater as it did above it.

“How old are you?” the serpent asked.

“About a year.” I replied and I saw the serpent smile as its lips curled upwards.

“Excellent, I knew the vision was true. To grow so strong in a single year!” the serpent said as she kicked her head back and let out an almost maniacal laugh.

“Vision? You had a prophecy about me?” I asked and my mind wandered to her title, the Oracle of the Oceans.

“Not a prophecy, that power belongs to the humanoids. The best I can do is see short distances into the future though my powers are far more precise. I can peek beyond the veil of the future at will, though the accuracy fades the further into the future I look.” the serpent replied.

“I assume then you are the Oracle of the Oceans?” I asked and the serpent nodded gracefully.

“I have many names, but my creator named me Serchax. My master was like you, a Firstborn. He was known as the Deep Shaper, he like all of your kin was brought low by the treacherous angels.” Serchax said and at those words I sensed her anger build as her body crackled with power.

“I wouldn’t suppose you have a piece of your master lying around?” I asked curiously, I know this may not be the best question to ask at this time. But it was one way to quickly ascertain if she was loyal to her master or the Firstborn in general.

“Unfortunately not, I would certainly have saved what I could if it was available. But the angels dragged his corpse away to prevent a successor Firstborn from acquiring the body, they no doubt used it for something or simply destroyed it.” Serchax replied calmly, I sensed no sentimentality. As if using her master’s corpse was a perfectly logical and reasonable course of action. But that wasn’t that surprising, the minds of monsters are different from humanoids.

“Pity, so what do you want from me?” I asked as I calmly brushed aside the topic of her master’s death.

“I wish to serve in your retinue, I seek a place of privilege. A position to do as I wish.” Serchax said as she swam over past the throne so I could see her in the light.

“And what is it you wish?” I asked as I used my ether manipulation to float up until I was staring her in the eyes.

“I wish for time to complete my great work. To master the ability to see into the future. My master the Deep Shaper, was fascinated with this humanoid ability and he gave me the ability to change myself to refine the ability. The ability to see beyond the trappings of the present. A power that eludes even the Firstborn.” Serchax said as her centre glowing eye crackled with power, a manic gleam in her eyes. Her gaze held one of a fanatic, of obsession and zealous drive.

“Imagine what power the Firstborn could have if this power can be tamed, to be bent to your will. You will know what your foes will do before even they know. This power when combined with the might of a Firstborn will cement a rule for eternity!” Serchax declared with a laugh that shook the entire throne room.

“So you want to help me gain this power.” I stated and Serchax nodded fervently.

“I am but a failed experiment, my master the Deep Shaper wanted to tame this power but he was struck down before he succeeded. I have laboured for aeons and I have barely made any progress.” Serchax said as her glowing eye crackled.

“I lack the ability, but if I were to share what I know and am allowed to work under you, to take what resources I need I am sure I can succeed.” Serchax half proposed and half begged.

I will not deny that this ability will be extremely powerful. To see the future on command, I will be unstoppable. The Firstborn of old would have never fallen if they had this power. I long suspected that the powers of seers had something to do with their fall. It was well known that only humanoids could produce Seers, this was a power that eluded all the other creatures, even the Firstborn. But Serchax was right, the power was chaotic and uncontrolled in the hands of humanoids. If I could tame it, refine it, imagine what I could do…

“For now I can give you something as proof of my sincerity.” Serchax said as she held out one of her arms and a Grahanam Crown appeared.

“My ability of future sight is limited but it has a great many combat applications, I offer this to you. I give you my greatest weapon as a sign of good faith, for I am loyal to the old order. I will not suffer this farce of a new order the Seraphim has propped up.” Serchax said as she floated the Grahanam Crown over to me. I took it and immediately absorbed the essence. This certainly was strange, it was less of essence and more of instructions. I could use some of my power to assimilate it so I decided to do so. With that I now had [Future Sight II], and I could tell this power was rudimentary. I sensed I could combine it with some abilities I haven’t unlocked to empower it. But those powers were far away, some were still locked away behind Core Evolution levels.

“I can improve it but I need to be stronger.” I said and I saw Serchax’s eyes widen in shock and anticipation. The Firstborn were truly the highest form of life, Serchax has laboured for so long and just got this far. But I could immediately improve it, still that begs the question. If I could do it, why not the Deep Shaper? The best theory I could come up with was that the Deep Shaper as a Firstborn was perhaps innately weaker than me. Firstborn were afterall not a species but instead a class of creature.

“Then I will help you, great one. I will help you take this world, all I ask is that you share this power. I wish to experience it.” Serchax said as she lowered her head.

“I’m not sure how much I can give you, some of the changes rely on my Firstborn Essence. I cannot give you that I can only give you a weakened variant when the time comes.” I said and Serchax nodded in understanding.

“As I expected, then whatever is able to be given I will accept. I know I am at the limit of my abilities, I can push it no further.” Serchax said with a weary shake of her head.

“The limit of your abilities… limits are a fickle thing… what has been made can be unmade and what is fixed can be changed.” I said as I channelled power into one of my arms and showed her my ability to fleshcraft. The spell crackled in my hand and a small rose appeared in my hand.

“Flesh is to me what marble is to a sculptor. Prove your worth and you will have all that you desire and more.” I said as I crushed the rose, before offering her my hand.

It may seem strange for me to accept her service so easily. Or for her to swear allegiance to me who was weaker than her. However, she did give me such a powerful ability, I could already tell the Future Sight ability would make me a nightmare to face in battle. I might be able to stall Mahaila now with this ability. I still can’t beat her but if she wanted to kill me, she was now going to have to really work for it. As for her, being at odds with me would only guarantee death further down the line if I beat the angels, or possibly an eternity of stagnation at the bottom of the Azure Sea. It was a strange arrangement that just so happens to work well for both of us.

But can she be trusted? Well I don’t know. I don’t even really know if I can trust Mahaila, I’m just buddying up with her because she can chop my head off. There were too many big fish in this pond, I need to get bigger before I decide which of the fishes I want to keep around.

“I will serve.” Serchax said as she lowered her head and took my hand.

“Good, now since you have seen fit to hide beyond that wall. I think you know the utility of bad theatre.” I stated and she nodded with a grin.

“The minds of humanoids are so simple, you just put up what they want to see and they believe it without question. Sweet promises and honeyed lies, you can transfix and seduce. Bend them to your desires.” Serchax replied with a low laugh.

“Indeed you can but not all of them are so weak willed. You will get to know some of them as we go along.” I said and Serchax tilted her head at those words.

“Now that is interesting, I once had a run in with Mahaila the Swift. She was a tough one, an exceptional individual from an unexceptional race.” Serchax said.

“Yes she’s working with me too.” I said and Serchax visibly recoiled slightly in surprise.

“My my, you surprise me, great one. Your retinue is rather formidable.” Serchax said respect in her voice.

“With you within it, it just got a lot stronger. I assume you command the Naga?” I asked and Serchax nodded.

“The Mugummans as well, as of right now you can consider the seas and the Mugumman jungle under your control.” Serchax said.

“Good that saves us some trouble, now I just need to deal with Eastern Voleria. But for now, we will maintain this little farce. Officially I have beat back the Naga and now all of you are too scared to enter my waters. You have decided that the prey to the north would be easier. The last thing we want is for the angels to realise we are on the same side. I have further plans but I will need to ponder them. I may have a task for you in the near future.” I said and Serchax nodded.

“Then we continue this bad theatre.” Serchax said with a smile as she retreated backwards and her Naga illusion reappeared before me. The smile on the illusion’s face was a strange mirror of the smile of Serchax’s real face.

“Indeed we shall.” I replied with a laugh as I restored my body to its unassuming form.

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All that was the past, since then I have been discussing with Cecilia and Mahaila about what to do with the Naga. The problem was that our lines of communication were rather awkward, we had to play telephone using one of my hive creatures. It was better than having to send a runner but I would prefer it if we could have a face to face conversation in a convenient manner. Having an ancient in command of two civilizations so far away and not within my direct control made me uncomfortable. The Azure Sea was right at the edge of Eastern Voleria, it was closer to the Divonia Empire than it was to Elysia. Still I could tell she wasn’t lying when she said she sincerely wanted to join me. But then again Mahaila told me Serchax was around before even her master was born and she was one of the oldest creatures alive in all three worlds. Her age was not something to be scoffed at.

When I consumed that little blueprint she gave me, I realised she wasn’t that good at fleshcrafting. She had used her own essence and somehow made a copy. But the problem was that essence wasn’t like parchment, you couldn’t just copy some parts and leave other parts out easily. She probably didn’t know this but there were some traces of her memories woven into them. Notably the strongest memories were what made it through.

One of the standout memories was that of her creator, the Firstborn titled the Deep Shaper. He was a complete psychotic lunatic, he was obsessed with the concept of time. He was a master chronomancer and he experimented extensively on Future Sight abilities. His obsession was all consuming, from what I could glean from the limited memories I had a suspicion of why his obsession existed. I suspect he could not reconcile the fact that the lowly humanoids could obtain a power that he could not. So great was his obsession that he actually sacrificed himself to save his so-called magnum opus, Serchax. A monster with vague and limited Future Sight abilities, a failure but it was the best he could manage.

Although from what I can tell his methods do seem rather crude and uninspired. It’s honestly amazing to me how he was chasing this ability for so long but he never actually sat down and had an actual conversation with a Seer. I mean wouldn’t that be the first step of the whole project? I mean you are a Firstborn, just ask and the Seer would most likely agree especially if you offer them protection. You could even assemble a team of Seers to help with the project but nope he just treated Seers like old cars and dismantled them for information and parts. I wonder what mental gymnastics he pulled in his head to covet this power yet refuse to use the most obvious source of information. Pride was truly a dangerous thing, I noticed that all the Firstborn seemed to die for their pride. I must never make that mistake, I must not be afraid to seek help when it was appropriate. Alliance but not dependence, that was my philosophy.

So on that note as I gazed at Serchax, this was our second meeting a few weeks after our first and I had a task for her. We needed to free up our navy but about a quarter of both the Warden and Cathian fleet were stuck in the Elysian Sea dealing with the Ostayan raiders. But now I had the Naga at my disposal, I couldn’t use them explicitly since that might tip off the angels. If I struck a deal with the Mugummans I could in theory have Mugumman liasons in Elysia. As far as I could tell the level of integration between the Mugummans and the Naga were largely unknown, most considered them to be separate nations. They were kind of independant but both answered to the same ancient sea serpent.

“So what did you wish to speak about?” Serchax asked curiously.

“You see I have been pondering this question in my head for a long time. It is a question, the Ostayan Question more specifically. From what I can tell they are just a bunch of savages, with little redeeming qualities.” I said and Serchax nodded in response.

“I never found them that interesting, I feel the only reason they are still alive is that the land they live on is terrible. No one was interested in their territory anyway and it wasn’t worth the effort to wipe them out. However they are rather delectable when deep water braised.” Serchax replied.

“Do the Naga eat them?” I asked in slight surprise.

“Oh yes, we occasionally attack the Ostayans as a food source.” Serchax replied.

“Hmm interesting, well you see it would be best if we kept the waters in the Elysian sea calm but the Ostayans are making it rather difficult. I simply do not wish to expend resources on dealing with their pointless raids.” I said and I saw Serchax smile at those words.

Would you care for a feast in the near future Great One?

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