Chapter 11: The King's Demise

"Prime God?!"

The kneeling merfolk exchanged bewildered glances, searching amongst themselves for any sign of the Prime God. Yet their hopes were dashed; not a single figure appeared, especially where Quansen's gaze lingered—only empty seawater.

The king… he truly was going to die.

All the merfolk knew that, before death, their kind often experienced hallucinations, bouts of hot and cold, and unbearable discomfort. None had expected that their majestic, awe-inspiring king would suffer the same fate, reduced to such confusion.

Though everyone believed Quansen had now fallen into the throes of a dying hallucination, no one dared disturb him at this moment. He had searched so long for the Prime God; if he could see Him before death, it would settle an old longing in his heart—even if it was but a mirage.

This was the thought in every heart, save for his eldest son, Quansi, who seemed about to shout something but was swiftly pulled aside by his mother, her hand covering his mouth.

"Let your father pass peacefully through his last moments!"

Her low, urgent whisper lingered in Quansi’s ears, quieting him, and he ceased his struggle.

"I have come."

Liang Yuan gazed calmly at Quansen, who lay upon his sickbed, his voice tranquil: "Since it is our last meeting, I have come to see you."

The last meeting?!

Upon hearing these words, Quansen’s face twisted in terror. He looked about him in panic, gripping tightly the hand beside him—his eldest son, Quansi.

Witnessing this, all the merfolk bowed their heads in silence. The king who had expanded their realm, fierce and dignified, now faced death in such a state—it stirred deep emotions and discomfort in their hearts.

Quansen gasped heavily until his breath steadied, then turned to Liang Yuan with desperate hope: "Prime God… you have come to see me. Are you here to take me away?"

"No."

Liang Yuan’s reply was swift and unequivocal, extinguishing the last hope in Quansen: "I merely wish to know why you sought to meet me."

Quansen stared intently at Liang Yuan, age had etched wrinkles and whitened his hair, yet Liang Yuan remained untouched.

He drew a deep breath and spoke: "Prime God, I have become like you. I possess two legs and have left the merfolk behind. This proves I could become a god. Yet why must I die, why must I age? Why do you alone possess eternity?"

"We are not the same," Liang Yuan shook his head. "Though you have grown legs, you are not me. In this world, no one is of my kind."

"There is no creature in this world that does not die."

Even the sacred tree he had bestowed with divine power, after billions of years, would perish. Nothing, save himself, could exist eternally. Even the sun and moon, when their time comes, will explode.

Quansen fell silent for a time, sensing his body growing light, even his mind clearing briefly.

"You commanded me to create a civilization. I founded the Merfolk Court," he said, not pleading, but stating a fact.

He knew there was no point in pleading now; all he wished was to stir the heart of the Prime God. Only if the Prime God willed it could he continue living.

"Civilization? Perhaps," Liang Yuan’s gaze pierced through Quansen, seeing the two centuries of the court’s history. "How will you prove your civilization endures?"

"In my eyes, the Merfolk Court is but a larger tribe. If someday the merfolk perish, how will later generations prove their existence? By bones buried beneath the earth?"

"Structures succumb to wind and rain; all is swallowed and lost… How will your descendants remember your present circumstances? Will it rely on word of mouth? If errors occur in transmission, what might result?"

Liang Yuan’s words sent Quansen into prolonged contemplation.

He had believed the merfolk could never perish, but Liang Yuan’s words unsettled him.

Could the merfolk… perish?

"You believe… the merfolk will perish?" Quansen’s focus shifted entirely to this, ignoring the question of recording civilization.

"If your people make the right choices, the merfolk will endure long in this world. If change comes, your race will become history, a warning to those who follow," said Liang Yuan.

Listening, Quansen gradually understood. He looked to his bedside, and among the many merfolk, his gaze immediately found his two sons.

The lively eldest, the steady younger.

Once, he had hesitated, unsure how to choose. Now, his heart was resolved.

Seeing Quansen lost in thought, Liang Yuan shook his head and said: "Quansen, your time has come. While you have these last moments, set your affairs in order."

With that, Liang Yuan stood with hands clasped behind his back, his figure fading, vanishing before Quansen’s eyes.

Quansen now found his breath faltering, his vision blurred as he looked over the crowd of merfolk.

The others seemed moved, all lowering their heads, unable to meet his gaze.

"Upon my death, Quan’an shall be king."

Quansen’s voice rang softly in the ears of the gathered merfolk. Some rejoiced, others felt as if plunged into icy water.

Yet whatever their hearts felt, none protested openly; all bowed, weeping as if in mourning.

Quansi opened his mouth, seeming somewhat lost but said nothing.

Quan’an maintained his composure, bowing properly, as if he had known all along the throne was meant for him.

Quansen’s breath now trembled, he summoned his sons with a wave: "Xi’er, An’er, come closer."

"Yes, Father!"

Both sons stepped forward, approaching him, and Quansen used his last strength to bring his head between them, whispering:

"Do everything you can to leave marks of our existence. Let future merfolk remember our history."

By now, Quansen could hardly breathe, but he forced himself on: "An’er, your temperament is steady. The court is yours. Do not follow in my footsteps and ruin…"

His voice grew weaker, until finally, nothing more could be uttered. A trembling hand gripped his son’s hand, eyes wide, unable to speak again.

In his final moments, it seemed he returned to the past.

To the time before wisdom.

He swam freely in the depths, no court, no intelligence, no desire.

Until he met the god who changed his life.

Thus, his breath ceased.

"The king is dead!"