Chapter Summaries

Theus, a former-life engineer working in a factory, used lunchtime stories and machine improvements to try to change his fate. When factory owner Carlisle introduced him to a Church reverend, the reverend accused him of defiling a sacred machine and killed him.

• Theus entertained factory workers with strange stories and began explaining universal gravitation before the supervisor summoned him.
• Theus reflected that he had improved the factory’s machines and hoped to escape a life spent as a laborer.
• The supervisor led Theus to Lord Carlisle, who introduced him to a Church reverend wearing a mechanical apparatus.
• The reverend examined Theus’s improved bearing and asked whether he had designed it.
• The reverend called Theus a servant of an evil god and pierced his chest with a steel arm, killing him.

After Theus was killed in his latest Descent, he returned to the Throne Room and resolved to seek supernatural power as a way to escape his prison and return home. He chose a new, apparently noble vessel, while his discarded body unexpectedly twitched after he left.

• Theus's unexplained death caused ripples across the world, and he awakened on the throne beside his dead vessel.
• Theus reviewed his past Descents and wondered whether the Church's supernatural powers could help him escape the Throne Room.
• Theus chose to seek the supernatural and find a way home, since his attempts to advance technology had repeatedly ended in death.
• Theus began a new Descent into a handsome, gaunt young man who appeared to be a noble.
• After Theus left, his discarded body twitched its lifeless eyes.

Theus woke as the newly invested Border Count of Castel Island and assessed his isolated domain, its dangers, and the limits of the Empire’s support. He ordered changes to his household routine, requested a laboratory, and set out to inspect the territory with a pistol from his treasure vault.

• Theus learned from his memories that he had received Castel Island and a vast maritime territory as a Border Count, most of it beyond the Empire’s borders and threatened by pirates, storms, and enemies.
• Theus considered his scant resources and concluded that the Empire’s support for Border Counts was largely verbal.
• Theus told Butler Connor to simplify breakfast, prepare a horse, and build a laboratory in a clear area of the manor.
• Theus unlocked his treasure vault with his necklace and took a small white flintlock pistol before leaving to inspect his territory.

Theus rode toward the harbor after hearing that a strange creature had been hauled from the sea, hoping to investigate his first possible encounter with Transcendence. On the way, Connor told him the territory was short on money and that pirates would arrive to collect protection payments; Theus reached the harbor, where soldiers and a crowd had gathered.

• Theus learned from the maids that people were calling a creature hauled from the sea a monster, but Connor dismissed it as a strange fish and accompanied him to the harbor.
• While riding, Theus asked Connor about the territory, and Connor said their funds were running low because Duke Cohen had been in less contact.
• Connor told Theus that sea merchants from the east—actually pirates collecting protection money—would meet them at noon the day after tomorrow, and Theus agreed to see them.
• Theus arrived at the island’s northern harbor and saw a crowd, armed soldiers, and a small boat near the shore.

Theus identified the grotesque monster fish as a deep-sea fish whose body had swollen after a change in water pressure, and shared his explanation with the fishermen. His speech about freely sharing knowledge impressed the crowd and unsettled Connor, while the monster fish twitched unnoticed.

• Connor ordered the constables to clear a path and bring the fishermen who had caught the monster fish.
• Theus examined the huge, rotting creature, and the butler explained that such monsters sometimes floated up from the Deep Sea.
• Theus recognized the creature as a blobfish and explained how the change in water pressure made it swell at the surface.
• The fishermen accepted Theus's explanation, while Connor contemplated the power of water pressure.
• Theus promised to share knowledge freely, and the crowd cheered as the monster fish twitched unnoticed.

Theus agreed to a Symbiotic Pact with a dying Deep Sea creature after it asked to take his knowledge of water pressure back to its people. The ritual healed the creature but drained Theus, and he lost consciousness as it reacted in shock.

• Theus realized that only he could hear the strange fish speaking to him telepathically.
• The fish asked whether Theus's claims about water pressure and the Deep Sea were true, then requested a Symbiotic Pact so it could take that knowledge to its people.
• Theus agreed to the ritual, believing the chance to encounter Transcendence was worth the risk, and secretly prepared his pistol.
• When Theus touched the fish, their senses and emotions merged, its wounds healed, and Theus grew pale and dizzy.
• Theus lowered his pistol and let the ritual continue, then lost consciousness while the healed fish stared in shock.

After waking in his bedroom two days after the Swollen Monster attacked, Theus discovered that the Symbiosis Ritual had given him enhanced night vision and a new sense tied to water. He sensed the Swollen Monster beneath his estate and left his room to find it.

• Theus woke in his bedroom on the third day of the Flowering Moon and realized he had been unconscious for two days and one night.
• Theus discovered that he could see in the dark and sense the materials in a silver glass.
• Theus explored his new water-linked perception and sensed underground currents beneath the island.
• Theus detected the Swollen Monster in the waterways beneath his estate and wondered why it had stayed there.
• Theus quietly left his bedroom to seek out the Swollen Monster.

Theus discovered a hidden passage in the estate and followed it to the sea, where he reunited with the Swollen Monster. The creature called him its lord and began to explain why it saw him as a god.

• Theus used his enhanced senses to find a mechanical secret passage behind the study fireplace.
• He followed the mossy passage past a fresh-water stream and sensed that it led to the sea.
• Theus followed the stream downstream and met the Swollen Monster, which had recovered from its near-death state.
• The Swollen Monster apologized for its appearance and called Theus its lord, saying he had saved the Cursed.
• Theus questioned why the creature called him a god, and the Swollen Monster offered to explain.

Theus learned that the Swollen Monster's people believed he was the prophesied god who could free them from their curse, and he agreed to meet them in the Deep Sea. The Symbiotic Pact let him breathe and move underwater, and he discovered that it also enabled short-range telepathic communication.

• The Swollen Monster told Theus that its people had been cursed after failing to protect their god and believed a new god would lead them to a Promised Land.
• The Swollen Monster explained that its people's Symbiotic Pact could let Theus survive underwater, and Theus decided to accompany it into the sea.
• Theus and the Swollen Monster entered the water, where Theus found he could breathe and move underwater without difficulty.
• The Swollen Monster told Theus that the pact enabled Mind Link, a thought-based form of communication with limited range and effectiveness when obstructed.
• Theus considered the limitations of Mind Link and felt they reminded him of something familiar.

Theus and Ash traveled into the Deep Sea, where Theus discovered the Symbiotic Pact granted him extraordinary perception. They found Ash’s people, the Cursed, fighting their Fishman enslavers, and Theus joined Ash in going to investigate.

• Theus realized his link with Ash could provide a powerful communication channel and let him perceive his surroundings like biological sonar.
• Ash led Theus deeper into the sea, where they detected blood and learned the Fishmen were fighting the Cursed.
• Ash explained that the Fishmen had enslaved his people, who had been forced to submit because they struggled against the water pressure and were outnumbered.
• Theus agreed to follow Ash and help his kin, despite the danger and his questions about why the Empire knew nothing of the Fishmen.
• Theus and Ash reached a battle where the Cursed used Transcendent powers to drive back the more numerous Fishmen.

Ash led the Swollen Monsters toward the Abyssal Trench, claiming it could lift their curse and transform them, while a Ghost Ship arrived to aid the Fishmen. As Theus and Ash descended into the trench, the Swollen Monsters sacrificed themselves to destroy the Ghost Ship and the pursuing Fishmen, but the blast’s shock wave followed them.

• A fleeing Fishman attacked Theus, but Ash caught its trident and killed it.
• Ash urged the Swollen Monsters to trust him and the prophecy and enter the Abyssal Trench to lift their curse.
• The Swollen Monsters united and began descending into the trench as a Ghost Ship arrived and fired rainbow-colored shots at them.
• Ash pulled Theus deeper into the trench while some Swollen Monsters turned to confront the incoming attack.
• The Swollen Monsters swelled and erupted in a massive explosion that engulfed the Ghost Ship and swept away the Fishmen.
• A portion of the blast’s shock wave surged into the Abyssal Trench toward Theus and the others.

Theus survived the Ghost Ship’s destruction through the Symbiotic Pact, and Ash explained water pressure to The Cursed. The Cursed accepted Theus as their prophesied god after learning the pact had formed directly, while Ash resolved to protect him.

• The Symbiotic Pact shared Ash’s life force with Theus and healed his injuries after the Ghost Ship exploded, killing Ash’s clansmen.
• Ash explained water pressure to The Cursed, who began to understand that it caused their curse.
• A Swollen Monster thanked Theus for his insight and asked Ash why it believed he was a god.
• Ash revealed that its pact with Theus had formed directly, without explanation, and that Theus had not known its terms.
• The Cursed concluded that the direct pact fulfilled their prophecy and revered Theus as their god.
• Ash looked toward the Abyssal Trench and vowed to protect Theus at any cost.

Theus followed the Cursed into the Abyssal Trench, where they transformed into Banshees and Ash declared him their new god. The Banshees knelt and asked him to speak his name, while Theus struggled with whether to accept their worship.

• Theus wavered as Ash urged the Cursed to continue their descent and fulfill their mission.
• One of the Cursed revealed that her swollen limb had become an arm, and Ash called the change proof that the prophecy was real.
• The Cursed descended deeper into the Abyssal Trench until their swollen bodies transformed into tall, six-armed beings with serpentine tails.
• Theus recognized Ash among the transformed creatures and learned that her people called themselves Banshees of the Bottom of the Seven Seas.
• Ash proclaimed that Theus had freed the Banshees from their curse and asked him to name himself as their god.
• The Banshees knelt before Theus and offered their loyalty, while he debated whether to accept their faith.

Theus rejected the Banshees’ worship and insisted that their freedom came from their own courage and blood, not from a god. He revealed that he was only a mortal, leaving the Banshees struggling to accept the truth.

• Theus resisted the temptation to accept a divine role and ordered the Banshees to rise instead of worshipping him.
• Theus asked Ash whether knowledge or Theus had freed the Banshees from the curse, prompting Ash to reconsider what had happened.
• Theus reminded the Banshees that they had fought the Fishmen and endured the Ghost Ship’s cannon fire themselves.
• Theus declared that the Banshees had won their freedom through courage and sacrifice, not through a god’s gift.
• A Banshee realized that Theus was not a god, and Theus confirmed that he was merely a mortal.
• The Banshees reacted with confusion, distress, and relief as Theus stepped down from the divine role they had given him.

Monica remembered Ash’s death and return with news that the Cursed could regain their original forms in the Deep Sea. As The Cursed followed Ash toward the Abyssal Trench and fought for freedom, Monica saw hope in Theus, even though he insisted he was not a god.

• Monica questioned the prophecy of the Promised Land as Ash prepared to leave and die beneath the stars.
• Monica told Ash that the last Symbiotic Partner among the Cursed had died and the Flash-Scale Clan refused to assign another.
• Ash floated toward the surface, leaving Monica and the tribe to mourn her.
• Ash later returned with Theus and told the tribe that descending into the Deep Sea could restore their original forms.
• The Cursed headed for the Abyssal Trench, losing many of their people along the bloodied route.
• Theus spoke to the tribe and declared that he was not a god, while Monica decided she no longer needed gods.

Theus accepted the Banshee clan’s offer to become his subjects after they jointly chose to trust and follow him. He welcomed them to his territory, giving the homeless clan a new home.

• Monica argued that the Banshees were Theus’s half-subjects and that they could pledge their loyalty to him from then on.
• Ash called on the Banshees to make their choice, and they closed their eyes together to reach a shared decision.
• Ash told Theus that the entire Banshee clan had chosen to follow him of their own will.
• Theus accepted the Banshees’ allegiance as their lawful lord and welcomed them to his territory.

Theus returned from the Abyssal Trench with the Banshees’ allegiance and learned that Alexei had taken charge of negotiations with the pirates. As Theus hurried to intervene, Alexei grew increasingly disillusioned with his lord and began considering his next move.

• Theus returned from the Abyssal Trench, changed out of his soaked clothes, and reassured Connor that he was fine.
• Theus said the Banshees’ support had reduced the threat from the pirates, though he did not want to involve them in a war.
• Connor told Theus that Alexei had rejected his advice and gone to negotiate with the pirates in Theus’s absence.
• Theus learned that Alexei was a royal-appointed seventh-rank civil official and understood why he might be eager for a real military campaign.
• Theus and Connor hurried to the negotiations, while Alexei reflected on Theus’s conduct and began considering what to do next.

Alexei and Theus confronted Jeremiah, the pirate collecting sea taxes from Castel, while a Tattooed Man's eerie gaze briefly overwhelmed Alexei. Theus rejected the tax list and declared that Castel would stop paying sea taxes.

• Jeremiah mocked Alexei for arriving to pay Castel's taxes and ordered him to fetch more bottles.
• Alexei approached Jeremiah, but the Tattooed Man's presence left him frozen and disoriented.
• Theus interrupted the encounter, helped Alexei recover, and demanded two bottles of gold rum without tabs.
• Jeremiah challenged Theus and produced the Governor's tax list, expecting him to be unable to read its pirate script.
• Theus declared that Castel would no longer pay sea taxes.

Theus refused to pay Gem Bay’s sea taxes and proposed equal trade in steel and timber instead. Jeremiah reconsidered his threat after realizing Theus might have the connections and resources to make the offer viable.

• Alexei feared that refusing sea taxes would bring Gem Bay’s fleet to Castel and start a war.
• Jeremiah suspected Theus was setting a trap, then reached for his saber when Theus rejected the sea taxes.
• Theus offered equal trade, suggesting steel and timber as goods Castel could supply.
• Jeremiah realized Gem Bay urgently needed steel and timber and would trade generously for them.
• Jeremiah remembered that Theus was connected to Duke Cohen and looked at him with newfound respect.

Theus negotiated with Jeremiah, securing a month to provide resources in exchange for the pirates’ agreement. After watching the pirates leave, Alexei reconsidered his judgment of Theus, who handed him Jeremiah’s scimitar.

• Theus offered Jeremiah scarce goods in exchange for Gem Bay’s cooperation, and Jeremiah accepted despite the insulting terms.
• Jeremiah and Theus exchanged a scimitar and a seashell to seal their agreement, and Jeremiah left planning to collect the goods in a month.
• Alexei watched the pirates depart and admired how Theus had pressured them into negotiating.
• Alexei realized Theus had likely intended to demonstrate how to handle the pirates, and he resolved to accept responsibility for his earlier mistakes.
• Theus handed Jeremiah’s scimitar to Alexei.