CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE

Blessing of the Sea, Part 2

I sense no hesitation in you despite the possible challenges you might face for my lord’s favor… Galatea’s smile warmed Sam up like a cup of hot chocolate on a stormy night. You’re just like her. Adele.

Y-You remember her—Sam’s eyes widened with surprise—then you’re really the sea nymph that helped my mom?

We helped each other. I helped her defeat the cyclops, Polyphemus, and she helped me get rid of an unwanted suitor. Galatea took Sam’s hand and began to pull him along with her. Come with me, son of Adele, and we shall see if my lord has agreed to your trade.

It would have taken them much longer to swim to their destination thanks to Sam’s lack of coordination in the water, but Galatea was wise enough to have one of her companion dolphins ferry Sam forward so that they reached Apex just as the show began.

The roiling mass of inky darkness had lost its bear-like shape in the water, but it looked no less menacing. It might have spread out to consume the sea if not for the myriad of bubbles forming around its edges that seemed to be keeping the shadow from expanding. Hurting it even.

The seawater’s damaging it… Sam realized.

He’d often heard that salt was a weakness of evil spirits and the like, but this was the first time he could see it applied in reality.

It wasn’t just the sea, though. More dolphins were standing guard around it. They bit at the shadowy tendrils that seemed desperate to escape, tearing into the shadows like hungry sharks might have done to a bleeding swimmer.

You gambled correctly, Galatea whispered. The seawater has already begun to purify the giant’s corruption.

After Galatea spoke, Sam heard the monstrous roar pierce into his mind. It was an angry, indignant howl of a beast that was in pain. It must have been in tremendous pain, too, because its mass, which at first had been large enough to envelop everything in front of Sam, had begun to collapse like a black hole at its center was sucking in the rest of it back into itself.

My lord accepts your proposal, Scion of Apollo. Galatea explained. We will exorcise the Savage One’s soul and send it back into the abyss whence it came. In exchange, you will retrieve the lost Trident of Atlantis for us.

A notification appeared before Sam.

SPECIAL MISSION: RETRIEVE THE TRIDENT OF ATLANTIS CONDITION: The Trident of Atlantis, an artifact forged by the cyclopes of the Underwater Forge that Poseidon gifted to the first King of Atlantis was stolen nearly a hundred years ago by thieves who sought to harness the power of the sea for their own ends. It must be retrieved by the hero before the time of the Summer Solstice when the entrance to Atlantis will once again be open and then returned to the hands of Ariel III, the current ruler of Atlantis. REWARDS: Increased reputation with the court of Poseidon, 1,000 Olympian fame points, 3,000 Drachma, 1x support blessing from Poseidon, a new title, and 1x 1:00 scale action figure of any hero/heroine blessed by the God of the Seas. WARNING! Failure to complete the mission will result in Poseidon’s eternal ire, ensuring that you will never again be safe when traveling via any large body of water.

The lost… Trident of Atlantis?! Sam’s face scrunched up in confusion. Atlantis is really real?!

Galatea let out a soft chuckle. Yes. You must come to visit once you find—

Tendrils of darkness that had been sharpened into pointy stakes snaked out of the collapsing shadow. It was a last-ditch effort of defiance from the malicious mind reaching out from its prison beyond the Shadow Veil. They struck the wall of seafoam Galatea conjured into being with a wave of her hand and were instantly repelled. These tendrils then fell prey to Galatea’s three dolphin companions, leaving her and Sam to float alone.

Where do I even start looking for something that’s been lost for nearly a hundred years? Sam asked worriedly.

Didn’t you just find an artifact that has been lost for that same amount of time? Galatea reminded him. My lord is confident in your abilities to find the trident as well.

Sam sighed. He already had the Golden Fleece to reclaim, and now this. Fine… as long as you guys keep your end of the bargain, I’ll look for your trident.

Consider it done, Galatea answered.

Wait… Sam’s brow creased. What about Apex?

Galatea pointed a finger at the weakening shadow. The mortal that fell with you was consumed by the giant’s shadow.

Is he… is he still alive?

I do not know…

Sam tapped the side of his mask to activate Hawk Vision, but even this ability was unable to penetrate the mass of inky darkness. The giant’s shadow was far too opaque for him to see Apex inside of it. Sam didn’t need to see him though. He only needed to recall the Trickster and the sight of his pained face to know that Apex must be suffering the same fate.

I… Sam let out a deep sigh because he was about to do something incredibly rash, certainly stupid, and possibly dangerous for someone who ensured Sam would never get to know his mother’s family. I have to save him…

Galatea at him for a long moment before her lips formed into a smile. You are just like Adele. You willingly jump into danger. Even for those who may not deserve your help.

To be compared to his mother lifted his spirits. He smiled back at Galatea. Although that smile quickly turned upside down. Um, I don’t suppose you can help me get through that shadow too?

Galatea’s hand motioned for one of the dolphins to come forward, causing Sam’s eyes to widen in surprise.

My friend found this close by. I think it belongs to you.

The dolphin who swam up to Sam had Gram between its teeth, ensuring Sam’s frown turned back into a smile.

Thanks.

As he held Gram tightly in both hands, he recalled the legend of how his sword had once pierced the heart of the ancient dragon Fafnir. He reasoned that it shouldn’t be too difficult to pierce into a giant’s shadow.

Would have been better if I had Thunder’s lightning element boosting me like the last time…

I do not know this Thunder—Galatea placed long fingers on Gram’s blade—but if it’s an elemental’s blessing you require…

At her touch, softly glowing bubbles began to spread along the surface of Gram’s blade.

Then let the power of the sea sharpen your blade.

ALERT! Gram is temporarily imbued with [Sea Nymph’s Seafoam (β)]. Your attacks will harness the crushing force of sea pressure, adding the [Staggered] effect. The current beta rating will increase physical damage by [100%] while adding [20%] increased damage to fire elementals and horrors while this boon is active. There is a very low chance of activating elemental ability [Water Slicer (ζ)] during a slashing attack. This ability is compatible with [Sword Aura (ζ)].

You’re not a very good swimmer, so allow me to help one more time… Galatea’s hand brushed against Sam’s back. Adele nicknamed this… the cannonball.

Sam raised an eyebrow. What’s the cannon—

Galatea shoved him—and she wasn’t gentle. Then Sam was propelled forward by a powerful wave and he zoomed across the water like a cannonball in flight.

H-holy Z—Poseidon! Even with gram shaking in his hands, Sam managed to raise his arms high—Sword Aura!

As he swung his blade down, the aura expanding out of Gram combined with the water element already coating its blade so that a giant wave of water—sharp as a blade and containing the pressure of the sea depths—carved the giant’s shadow in two.

Then the villain was finally revealed within the shadow’s nucleus—his face a mask of pain and torment. Tendrils of darkness clung to his arms and legs, pulling his body taut like a mannequin that was being punished by its puppeteer.

Apex!

Sam swung his sword a second time. Then a third. He swung Gram again and again until the villain was cut free from his bonds, and that’s when the dolphins charged in. They tore into what little remained of the giant shadow’s two halves like sharks ripping through a piece of bloody meat. Soon enough, the shadow was gone, but it wasn’t the end of Sam’s ordeal.

Freed from his prison, Apex launched himself at Sam with a fist cocked and ready—but his punch fell before reaching Sam’s face. Despite his stubborn determination to finish their fight, Apex’s strength finally gave out. His unconscious body slumped against Sam who caught him out of reflex.

He’s not dead at least… Sam realized. Well, he might drown if I don’t get him out of the water…

I suppose you’ll want a lift back to the surface—Galatea appeared next to Sam—or do you think you can handle the trash on your own?

Yeah, Sam smiled back at Galatea, I wouldn’t mind a ride… thanks.