The Naga Patriarch narrowed his eyes. "Your words are threats disguised as diplomacy. Speak clearly."
Khagara's staff crackled. "Very well. Here are our terms. You will swear upon your sea deity to divide the Sea God Legacy into three parts—each held by our clans. Your human shall retrieve it but shall have no say in its use."
The water around the Naga Patriarch turned cold. "And if I refuse?"
Lord Russ leaned forward. "Then you condemn your clan to extinction. We have united. We have numbers, beasts, and legacy bloodlines. You can still avoid annihilation."
The Patriarch did not hesitate.
"I refuse."
His voice was like thunder compressed into a whisper.
Khagara's smile faded. "So be it."
The Abyssal Shark Lord raised his clawed hand and clenched it into a fist. From behind him, an army of deep-sea creatures let out a bone-rattling howl.
The Naga Patriarch turned back to his army and raised his trident high.
"The sea shall judge us all."
