Sheldon finally reaches the Kingdom of the Deep, pausing to look around. The water all around him is black, as if a squid of colossal size had sprayed ink in the water, staining it with dark noir. Sheldon makes his way slowly to the Deep palace. All around him, black smokers belch out dark, superheated water like smoke spewing from a factory's chimneys. Giant tube worms and palm worms watch him as he walks past. Spider crabs crawl along the seabed and up the sides of the smokers. Anglerfish light the path with their lanterns, and barreleyes gaze with their massive, blank eyes. Sheldon feels unwelcome at this strange new place. He presses on, and he soon reaches the palace. The frilled sharks that are guarding look down at the lobster.

  “I am h-here to speak with the K-King…” Sheldon stammers.

  The frilled sharks nod and open the entrance for Sheldon. The lobster makes his way inside. At the end of the hall, faint dots of light dance around.

  “The courier of the Reef, hmm? You're far from home…” An echoing voice rings out from the dark abyss ahead of Sheldon.

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  “I've come to deliver a message from the Queen of the Reef… An alliance request…” Sheldon says shakily.

  He waits for what feels like an eternity. Finally, the dots of light approach, closer and closer they come, and suddenly, the King of the Deep is in full view. The Pacific blackdragon looks down at Sheldon, his fangs sharp and needle-like.

  “A request for an alliance, you say? Interesting…”

  The blackdragon circles Sheldon.

  “And on what reasoning is this request made? Is she just trying to keep me off her back, afraid I might… Attack?” The King of the Deep says with sadisdic playfulness.

  He laughs a deep, booming laugh and looks at the lobster. Sheldon stands his ground.

  “She is seeking to end this war, and an alliance between the Reef and the Deep would help immensely…” Sheldon says.

  The King contemplates this.

  “Well then… I accept.” The King of the Deep Abyss says slowly.

  Sheldon’s antennae twitch.

  “Wonderful..! I'll take the message back to the Queen…” The lobster says as he scurries out, headed to give the news to the Queen of the Reef.

  The King watches Sheldon leave, and he swims back to his throne.

  An alliance has been formed between two of the strongest kingdoms in the Pacific Ocean. However, there are stronger threats, lying in hiding until the time is right. The Open Ocean is a dangerous place, and their leader is far from peaceful.

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