It was a night when the waves were strangely calm. The Seto Inland Sea was always windy, and even when it didn't rain, the salty scent of water drifted into the alleys. The fishermen would bow toward the sea at sunset and offer a small prayer.

There is an old legend in this village.

The Sea God takes the one he loves.

That is why no one went out to the beach alone on nights when the full moon rose. Just in case.

•••

A woman stood at the end of the breakwater holding a single old lantern. She gazed out beyond the black waves. The sea was silent as if waiting for something, and only the sound of the waves crashing violently danced through the air.

The sea fell silent first. The waves held their breath, and as one descended below the surface, the light died out one by one. The blue abyss turned black, and nameless creatures huddled among the ancient rocks of the seabed.

And then it happened.

Far off, the bottomless darkness stirred.

At first, it was a small vibration. The sand shifted, and the coral crumbled. Soon after, a massive crack split across the seabed, and black water began to swirl.

BOOM—!

The sea parted.

Something was rising from the bottom of the abyss.

Seeing the form rising to the surface, you wondered—what is that? A human man? No, it was Poseidon in human form.

Then, his eyes opened.

They were a deep, blue light.

It was as if the sea itself was burning within his pupils.

The fact was, he had just clawed his way up through the abyss.

Poseidon took a step toward the surface.

One step.

Waves that shook the continent arose.

Two steps.

A tsunami that soared to the sky rose at the edge of the sea.

And the moment he took the third step—

The sea parted to welcome its King.