“A house that has a library in it has a soul.”

― Plato

The next few days passed without issue, and by the time the vast island chain crept into view, the only thing of note were the familiar dolphin analogs gathered around the ship.

The same pair Ven encountered among the reefs were the first. Before long a vast pod had gathered. They performed artistic leaps and spins through the air as they followed the vessel's course.

The playful beings had become a new favorite of the children, and a small crowd of the young beastfolk constantly peered over the ship's rail. Ven spent much of the past few days swimming with his one-time companions and their family. They were intelligent and playful, as innovative as any human.

The more Vendak glided through the water with the creatures, the more he desired to learn their language. He began to suspect that his bracelet failed its translation, not because their speech was too primitive, but because it was too complex.

Ven teased the younger members of the dolphin pod. He drifted just out of reach as they tried to catch him, their swift assaults not enough. Even as he enjoyed himself, Ven glanced toward the central landmass. This isn't a normal island chain. Hundreds of small and medium-sized islands, all the exposed tops of massive coral spires.

The thick foliage and jungles that covered them seemed almost alive. I'm positive these plants don't move with the wind... They swayed in an almost rhythmic wave, a pulse that shuddered outwards from the center of each island. Now and then, a tentacled figure lurked within the cover of the thick jungle. They watched them pass then disappeared under the cover of the trees.

As the surrounding islands became more concentrated, the air itself closed in on him. Ven was used to living within small enclosed spaces, yet these islands caught his breath. Trapped inside the jaws of a beast. I suppose I am, to some extent. All of these islands were a part of Kalina's body, each one a small segment of a singular great reef.

From what Ven could put together, this intelligent reef, which spanned an area larger than all of Earth's oceans combined, was the first 'Earth Deity' he'd encountered. At the peak of power on this world, the full might of a practitioner at this tier destroyed moons or even lesser planets without much effort.

Although Vendak judged these beings, described as oppressors by Mara and the other beastfolk, he couldn't blame them. Like Ven and his brother, these beings were likely products of their environments. It didn't mean that they deserved to escape justice. Ven himself had served out his punishment for his crimes. However, he did sympathize with those at the top.

Once you possess absolute power, it's nearly impossible to hold on to your moral ideals.

When you had everything, it was far easier to do nothing as others suffered, especially those who lived and died without ever crossing your path. It's one thing to talk about your morals, and something else to practice them... Especially when you and your loved ones stood safe and secure.

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Vendak shook his head, I need to focus, we're almost there. He waved goodbye to the young dolphins and swam back toward the side of the ship.

Even if I feel for the ones in power, sometimes they have to die.

He failed to create a suitable world in his past life, and the people had been right to take away his position. Half the time, I'm grateful for my banishment. As horrible as his ten years of solitary confinement had been, it gave him the chance at a new life.

Ven landed on the deck and dissipated the water off of himself. He turned to face the growing central island of Fallun. Unlike the smaller islands, this country-sized section of living coral had no jungle on its shores.

A vast city rose like a mountain above the waves. A tall circular wall formed of polished coral surrounded the entire landmass. Detailed runes carved into the structure flickered with blue-green light. Above the defenses, like an unorganized hive of massive insects, sat the capital city of Fallun.

Tightly knit structures, shaped from the living coral like the wall that surrounded them. Spire-like buildings of all sizes crowded together, slowly increasing in height the deeper into the island they stood. If Ven had not spent a lifetime within a city that consumed its world, he would have found it impressive based on its scale.

Every exposed surface of coral, besides the polished protective walls, held lush foliage. Flowers of every color interspersed themselves among creeping vines and fruiting plants. A vast amount of wildlife flourished within. In many ways, it resembled the underwater sections of the reef. A picture of perfect harmony.

Above the city, suspended in the air, floated an ominous black sphere. Chains of lightning that dazzled the eye wove a tight net around it. An inconsistent sight, it clashed with the overall vision of the city. A piece from a modern architect within an ancient necropolis.

City of the Dead is an appropriate description for this place. No people of any kind were visible on the walls or towers.

Long docks curved in a ring around the island, and soon their ship butted up against these large platforms. The vast majority of the freed slaves watched from the upper deck. An excited hum in the air, filled with the desire to disembark this cursed vessel. They crowded around the ramp that extended to the ground below.

Mara and Brull, alongside three dispirited dragon-kin, led the way forward. They went down the ramp to greet the locals, Ven close behind.

A dozen figures appeared from the cityscape, so smoothly that even Ven failed to notice, and the group found themselves surrounded. The creatures were the same race of tentacled beings that lurked in the jungle. Now that he could see more clearly, Ven was even more interested in the strange beings.

What he'd taken for single entities were two separate creatures, bound together in a symbiotic relationship. Atop each of the almost twelve-meter tall gorilla-like octopods, sat a small, translucent-skinned, humanoid. These smaller figures also resembled the lesser primates of earth, akin to hairless, tailless, lemures. Less than ten inches tall, they nestled comfortably amidst their counterpart's tentacles and guided their movements through some unseen connection.

If these things attack I better toss the twins back on board.

From the energy waves, the welcoming committee were all Semi-Divines. One of the creatures stepped forward. The tentacled giant extended a thin tentacle, much like someone would when attempting to shake hands, and the smaller being guiding its movements, spoke in the common tongue.

"Welcome to Fallun, We are the Fallasi. The Goddess of the Reef has been awaiting your arrival." The high-pitched voice matched its small stature, and Mara gripped the offered tendril in a firm handshake.

"Greetings, we're very grateful for receiving safe passage through the reefs." Mara's words seemed to fall on deaf ears, as the Fallasi plowed onward with its speech.

"The one named Ven must come with us to meet Her, the others are free to explore the city."

The small creature poked a tinny paw in Ven's direction, before the creature below waved a tentacle at the slaves.

"The Fallasi and Mykri welcome all peaceful visitors to the island, but we do not accept any form of violence on our shores." The Mykri below him grunted its agreement as it flexed its many limbs. "Any who break these rules will face the wrath of the Goddess herself."

With this, the group of Fallasi dispersed, and only the one who spoke remained. Its various tentacles tugged at him like an impatient toddler.

"It should be alright, I'll be back in a bit."

Ven nodded to his concerned-looking companions and followed the persistent efforts of the Fallasi/Mykri duo.

"You guys can send the message to your people and get the ball rolling on that rescue ship, just make sure the dragon-kin don't hog all the glory."

Ven had not been very polite to the three guards during the voyage, and it had left them somewhat frayed around the edges. With this comment they winced, their eyes on the ground.

"No problems there, these three have pretty much given up on life," Mara said, a hint of worry in her tone. "If you don't come back before dark, we'll come looking for you, alright?"

"Sounds good, just be careful!" Ven waved at the group until they were out of sight, before he turned his focus to the odd pair who led the way. "So, what's up with that freaky orb?"