Part 1

Later, after the Port Nautitus incident had been resolved, Vordea wrangled up the rest of the Gods plus Xellma in the room below Vaust's Inn. While the rest of them were quite used to Vordea's strange demands and taking them places without warning and then not saying anything once they were there, Xellma was starting to grow impatient.

Vaust was trying to subtly tell her to shut up when she got fed up and broke the silence.

"Mother, what is this about? We've been here over an hour and you've just been sitting there staring at your hands the whole time." Xellma demanded.

"You're not going to get an answer like that." Sargon advised.

No reply came from Vordea at first, but she finally looked up. She seemed to consider her options for several moments, before finally speaking.

"I am going to tell you all a story. I ask that you do not interrupt me, and save any questions for the end." Vordea looked at Xellma before continuing to speak. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes." Xellma said, nodding.

"Good. This is a story of the Squid, the Shark, the Man, and the Sun. This was when the ancient squid was young, and in new waters for the first time. He had just been freed from the aquarium for first time, and found himself in an unfamiliar ocean. It was vast but completely empty, but as he swam he started to figure out how to use his tentacles to propel himself, and touch his surroundings. During his explorations, he found something strange, and scary. It was a being that reminded him of his captor in the aquarium, and he lashed out at it before they could even react."

Vordea paused and looked around the room. Everyone was enraptured, save Agbus, who smiled slightly, and nodded. He knew what this story was after all, he was there.

"That being was the man, and even though he lay bleeding and gravely injured, he still reached out his hand to the squid, in friendship. The squid despaired, had he attacked a potential friend? He cried out for somebody to help, anybody."

Vordea looked up and narrowed her eyes. "The sun answered his pleas for help.