[ATTENTION!

THIS IS A SECTION OF THE PROLOGUE. EVENTS THAT OCCUR IN THIS CHAPTER GIVE CONTEXT TO SOME FUTURE EVENTS IN THE STORY, BUT IT IS NOT IMPORTANT TO START READING WITH THIS CHAPTER. ALL THE EVENTS THAT UNFOLD IN THIS CHAPTER ARE LEGENDS IN THE MAIN STORY.]

"Anyone else in the mood for a drink?" the newcomer asked, his voice carrying a heavy tone that echoed into the distance without receiving a response. Undeterred, he nonchalantly shrugged and gestured with a wave of his hand, conjuring a silver flagon of wine and three golden cups. While his violet eyes gazed at the sky that was once again shrouded by dusky clouds, a lingering awkward silence prevailed. Resigned, the elegant man reached for the flagon, only to have a nimble thief's hand dart forward, snatching it away.

The elegant man's fingers twitched in irritation as he stared incredulously at the impetuous youth who vulgarly quaffed his wine. Clearing his throat to regain composure, the elegant man shifted his attention to Ea's disheveled appearance, a trace of sorrow marring his gaze. "I am sorry I arrived so late, Brother."

"No, El, you've come just in time," Ea began his response. However, as he spoke, the crass youth let loose a loud belch.

"Ao Jun! You could at least use a cup!" El shouted in frustration.

"How could I dishonor such a good wine by drinking it with a cup? It's not every day that you get to drink wine brewed by a primordial," the youth cheekily replied, flourishing the flagon in a toast.

"Brewed of a primordial," Ea calmly corrected, giving El a displeased sidelong glance.

El's dark countenance, typically stoic and composed, unexpectedly softened as he broke into a sheepish smile. This incongruent expression seemed so strange given his otherwise serious features that it created a momentary paradox. This paradox left Ea so puzzled that he decided to redirect his attention to the young dragon instead.

"After all of Great Mother Shi's teachings, how did you end up so boorish? She was the image of elegance and grace," Ea chided the youth, his tone tinged with disappointment. With swift movements, he harshly ruffled the youth's hair.

"Stop Ea'ge! I'll talk! I'll talk!" Ao Jun howled in distress.

"Go on then, talk. Who taught you to act so crude?" Ea inquired.

"It's what my father always says!" Ao Jun shouted defensively. "A king doesn't follow manners; manners follow a king," the youth mimicked with his head hung low.

Ea gave the boy's hair one more playful tug. "When you get the chance, deliver a message to your father from me."

"What message would you have me deliver, Ea'ge?" The boy said, soothingly rubbing his head.

"Just a couple of words: 'Do better.' Tell him they're from me, of course," Ea replied, his tone carrying a confident air.

Ao Jun's eyes widened with incredulity. "Ea'ge saying something like that to my father is the same as questioning his authority. He'll be furious with you."

Ea scoffed before delivering a sardonic reply. "And who am I, Tendo's Wise Ocean, to question the teachings of the Throne of Arcadia, The Great Dragon King, Longwang? Merely a humble servant, I dare not."

"Brother, when a Throne is shamed, their whole realm is shamed. Please refrain from carelessly insulting all of Tendo; even a great empyrean like yourself should shudder in fear at drawing the ire of every deva in the divine realm." El counseled, rolling his eyes at his brother's antics.

Ea tsked in displeasure. "And what do those timid birds know, hm? They live safely in their little floating cage while the surface world crumbles beneath them. Shameless! If any of them have complaints, they are welcome to come down to Gaea and voice them to me in person. Do you hear me, cowards?" His voice echoed toward the sky. "If any of you dare, then come right down to this raft and say it to me! Or even better, follow me as I bring this dirty ichor down to the Nether. Do you know how much time I'll have to spend in that damnable place to clean up your mess? Do you dare even step foot down there?" He shouted with disdain, his words piercing the air with righteous indignation.

"Brother! The council of elders will be livid, please." El pleaded, his voice laced with concern.

"Then let them be livid," Ea responded with a dismissive hmph, his tone unwavering.

"Yeah, you spineless chickens! Come down and witness the devastation of the earthly realms. Come see what's become of my home! We dragons would be overjoyed to host you!" Ao Jun's anger flared in his words, a flicker of flame appearing at the corners of his mouth before he spat into the sea in disgust.

El clasped a hand tightly over Ao Jun's mouth, his eyes flashing with warning. "My brother may disrespect the elder devas, but you may not, little snake," he hissed. "Hold your tongue, and do not follow his miserable example. Even your father wouldn't dare curse the elders like that!"

Ao Jun's eyes narrowed with defiance as he sank his teeth into the palm of El's hand, drawing a trace of blood that stained his lips. He lifted the flagon to his mouth, taking a sweet sip of courage as he regarded El with revulsion and hatred.

"Billions have suffered because of those spineless bastards, and yet you still sniff their asses like they're finely cooked round steaks. What a loyal dog you are," he sneered. "Don't you dare presume to know what my father would or wouldn't do. Make no mistake, he will hold those capons accountable and give them a nice char for turning a blind eye to this tragedy. I can almost smell their succulent meat now; it'll be a delicious feast."

He paused, his voice dripping with venom. "And don't you ever call me 'little snake' again! If you dare to do that, I'll relieve you of your own 'little snake'. Do you hear me?" With that, he savored another gulp of wine.