The storm had passed, the waves receded.
The sea returned to its former calm, as though nothing had happened, if not for the enormous sea monster still clinging to the island like a crustacean's claw, the whole event might've felt like a dream.
"Eros," Poseidon suddenly said before leaving, "setting aside everything else, I'm genuinely glad you're alive."
Eros gave her a side glance, then muttered, "So you can get your revenge properly, huh?"
"Hah! Well, if you put it that way, it's not wrong. It would've been boring if you'd just died like that."
Poseidon paused, then leapt lightly onto Scylla's head, gazing down at him from above.
"I'm looking forward to the day you climb Olympus, Eros. I wonder what kind of chaos you'll stir up then."
"Well, enough of that. I'll wait for your news."
With a casual wave, the monstrous Scylla unhooked its claws from the island and sank into the sea depths once again.
Having sent Poseidon off successfully, Eros clapped the sand off his hands and turned back toward the others.
"Alright, that's one problem solved. Let's set sail again."
But instead of a smooth departure, he was met with several suspicious and stunned faces.
"Um… excuse me, are you really that legendary 'First Human' I've heard about?"
Cercrops was the most visibly shaken and also the most curious. She even subconsciously switched to formal honorifics, speaking with careful reverence.
Just as Prometheus had warned, his name was no longer ordinary, it belonged to myth now.
Like the protagonist of a previous epic, now spoken of with awe by the cast of a sequel.
Shock, disbelief, reverence, longing, her eyes shimmered with a storm of complex emotions.
"I am," Eros smiled, "but for now, just call me Endymion."
He didn't mind at all. In fact, being treated like some revered ancestor felt oddly satisfying.
"Then… does that mean you've become a god?"
From Cercrops' point of view, it made sense. He had lived from the beginning of humanity until now, was that not ascension to godhood?
"I haven't. The truth's a little complicated. If you get it, you get it, if not, no amount of explanation would help."
With a grin, Eros gently patted her head.
"So don't overthink it. Just treat me as a wise friend, or a reliable elder."
In truth, it was Athena's intervention that caused a massive desynchronization in the flow of time during early human history. Even Eros couldn't explain it.
He'd only spent what felt like a few months in the Underworld, yet on the surface, ten human generations had passed.
Which meant his escapades at the Silver Seat of the Sea? They were centuries-old legend now.
Cercrops was deeply moved by his words, flicking her serpent tongue thoughtfully.
This was the "celebrity effect."
Just like how Eros was more drawn to well-known goddesses from myths, his own legend had become an allure.
At this rate, the number of beings lining up for a taste of Eros could stretch from Oceanus's throne all the way to Olympus.
Somehow, the tables had turned.
It was no longer about him desperately seeking out pretty goddesses.
It was about him needing to protect himself from becoming a bite-sized snack for every goddess who thought she had dibs.
So keeping a bit of mystery and aloofness, raising the bar, so to speak, was a good way to increase demand.
After all, the hard-to-get ones were always more desirable.
And those who rejected you outright? Even better.
Eros, understanding the art of allure to its core, was now fully focused on crafting his image, cultivating his fanbase.
With maxed-out charisma and skyrocketing legend value, even if he were physically weak, he'd still be a cult leader in the making.
"Alright, we're almost at the Abyssal Capital. Time to sail."
Eros gave a glance to Eurynome and Prometheus.
"On the way there, I'll fill you both in on everything you're curious about."
Without further delay, they gathered the crew and set off again.
This final stretch of the journey was surprisingly peaceful. No storms, no sea beasts.
As they moved further from the world of men, strange marine creatures began to appear.
Massive whales breached the ocean's surface, their graceful arcs worshipped as divine omens by the sailors onboard.
During this leg of the journey, Eros took the time to explain what really happened between him and Poseidon.
And as for all those weird rumors Eurynome had heard? Eros firmly denied every single one.
Come on now, him? Have a thing with that pervert who played with tentacles?
Absolutely not. He wasn't into tentacles.
...Even if she didn't have the tools, she had tentacles!
Just the thought of getting ambushed and violated by one of those in his sleep made Eros break into cold sweat.
Though, now that he thought about it, he hadn't experienced a tentacle girl before. And the only one that met the criteria was… Poseidon.
Nope. Nope nope nope. This was dangerous. He needed to stop thinking before it spiraled.
The mere fact that the thought crossed his mind terrified him.
Finally, the Abyssal Capital came into view.
At the sea's edge, a spiral vortex spun downwards, an open water path leading into the depths.
The human sailors stared in awe, and the ship tilted as it entered the edge of the spiral, swaying as if about to drop.
"Relax. Let the current guide us."
Eros stopped Cercrops from trying to steer the vessel.
Though terrifying to look at, the Abyssal Capital's entrance was actually safe and well-designed.
The spiral current carried ships and creatures naturally into its heart, this had once been a sacred pilgrimage site, after all.
The vessel spun downward, descending deeper into the ocean.
The crew whispered to one another in amazement, wide-eyed, determined to memorize every detail for their future storytelling.
This was a legendary journey, their bragging rights were set for life.
And Eros? He looked out at the approaching city with heartfelt nostalgia.
He missed the pearl-spitting shell maidens, the gushing tides of the ocean goddesses, and that dazzling, wet paradise of sea and sky.
To him, this was a second home.
The Silver Seat of the Sea! How beautiful!
Eventually, the ship reached the bottom of the spiral… but unlike last time, where he entered directly with Amphitrite, this time, they were blocked at the gates.
"State your origin, species, and purpose."
"This is the Sacred City of Oceanus. Show proper reverence to the Primeval Sea."
A massive sea giant leaned over the ship, its booming voice a challenge.
But the moment it spotted Eurynome's veiled face and the oceanic aura emanating from Eros, the tension vanished.
"Welcome, Daughter of Oceanus, Lady Eurynome."
"And you, Oceanus's blessed one. Be welcome."
Still, they added a note of caution:
"Please restrain your servants and pets. Do not let them wander."
With that, the ship passed the gates and drifted forward.
"…Why does it feel so serious here?" Eros asked Eurynome.
Last time he came, the city had felt relaxed and cheerful, now, it was almost grim.
Eurynome shook her head. "I haven't returned in a long time. I'm not sure what's going on either."
Seems the sea's turmoil had reached even here.
But what exactly is Oceanus thinking?
Once the ship docked at the lower levels of the city, Eros disembarked with Eurynome.
The lower district housed sea-folk and beastkin pilgrims.
With Prometheus and Cercrops here, it was a good place for them to explore and observe.
As for Eros, he was heading up to the domain of the sea goddesses and Nymphs.
Their banquets weren't open to just anyone. You couldn't even step foot on their grounds without qualification.
"Looks like you've got more business to handle, Eros. I'll return to my palace for now," Eurynome said as they reached the upper levels.
"When you're done, come find me for your reward."
Eros nodded and watched her graceful figure retreat. Then he turned and made his way toward Amphitrite's palace.
After leaving the Underworld, he hadn't indulged in any "feasts" for a while. It was time to reconnect, time to savor the sweet fruit of the sea once again.
Except… she wasn't there.
"…Where's your goddess?"
He asked the Nymphs cleaning the palace, frowning.
But none of them knew. Amphitrite hadn't returned since she last left with Eros.
What the hell?! Where's my sweet, juicy Sea Queen?!
He'd come ready, body and soul, and now he had to put those plans on hold.
Eros cursed under his breath and turned toward Oceanus's divine seat.
He wanted to relax and rekindle old sparks, but it seemed he was being forced to handle business first.
Cursing the unfairness of it all, Eros arrived before the grand throne… and instantly switched to a perfectly polished tone.
"O Great Oceanus, I'm coming in now~."