Outside the archipelago, in the heart of Carcosa.
In a vast hall with pale walls, a young man was preparing himself, his face lit with excitement.
He nervously adjusted his clothes when an old man entered, already in tears.
— I'm so proud of you, Neptune, my grandson…
— Grandfather, stop crying all the time.
— I know… but I can't help it. You make the whole family proud. Vice-Vassal, can you believe it? And under the orders of Anna Lapis-Lazuli!
— Grandfather… you're starting again.
— The carriage has arrived.
— Already?! My hair? My clothes? I'm not ready!
— You're perfect. Everything will be fine. Go.
Neptune took a deep breath.
— Thank you for everything.
He left the hall.
Outside awaited a white carriage adorned with blue diamonds.
Even the horses were decorated lavishly.
The coachman opened the door.
Inside sat a woman in a dress of unreal beauty.
Her face was hidden behind a fan, but her blue eyes shone like two sapphires.
Neptune entered, his heart pounding.
Silence reigned until she spoke.
— Neptune?
— Yes, Madame Anna.
— Are you nervous?
— A little… but nothing serious.
— Perfect.
Neptune looked away.
(There's no way… Anna Lapis-Lazuli… She calls me by my name…
She's even more beautiful than in my memories. The Apostle Slayer…)
The carriage stopped.
— Madame, we have arrived at the Pantheon.
Neptune stepped down.
The building was immense, as wide as a castle, overwhelming in its beauty.
He looked up at the sky.
A winged figure descended from the clouds at incredible speed,
stopped abruptly above them.
Two flaming wings, two swords, eyes shining red.
— So… you're the new partner of Annette?
— Y-yes!
— Annette? I forbid you to call me that, Helios. I am your superior.
— Come on… I'm bored. My father forbids me to attend the ceremony.
(A vassal of the purgatorial theater…) thought Neptune.
Another presence emerged. The upper half of a man rose from the ground.
— Hello, you crazies. Oh… Annette? Hard to recognize a gorilla dressed as a princess.
Anna tried to strike, but a voice stopped her.
— Greetings to you.
— Hello, Doctor.
— I see Yorin is bothering you. I will handle it.
— But Doctor, I just arrived—
He was pulled into the ground.
— Hahahaha!
Anna turned to Neptune.
— Let's go. The ceremony begins.
They entered the Pantheon. The interior was immense, immaculate, adorned with strange and majestic paintings.
In front of a large door, Anna stopped.
— Open it.
Neptune obeyed.
A circular room appeared. A round table. In its center, a perfect sphere rotated slowly. Five thrones surrounded the table.
All the vassals were present.
A voice resonated.
— NEPTUNE. STEP FORWARD TO THE CENTER.
A staircase formed. Neptune climbed.
— INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
— My name is Neptune. I stand before you for my admission to the Grand Pantheon
and my appointment as vice-vassal of the Central Theater,
under the authority of Anna Lapis-Lazuli.
— MEMBERS OF THE TABLE, DO YOU RECOGNIZE HIM?
— I recognize him, declared Anna.
— I do as well, said Newton.
— Likewise, added Icar.
— I recognize him, said Doctor.
— AND YOU, MY KING?
A colossal light filled the room.
A gigantic throne appeared. A man draped in yellow sat upon it, surrounded by a cosmic aura.
Everyone knelt.
— NEPTUNE. BY MY WILL, I RECOGNIZE YOU. I BESTOW UPON YOU MY MARK.
A symbol appeared in Neptune's pupil.
— YOU ARE NOW LORD OF THE SEAS.
The King vanished.
Neptune struggled to stand.
Doctor suddenly left the hall.
In a corridor:
— Abyssael.
A masked creature emerged from the wall.
— The Dream Desert creature has been attacked.
— By the Sand Merchant?
— No. The threat is different. Intervene. Eliminate any constraining elements.
— Understood.