Deep beneath the sea, an enormous shadow swept over the seabed, startling countless crabs buried in the sand.
Inside Leviathan One, Veylin sat with his eyes closed.
His consciousness was linked to the behemoth.
Cold seawater pressed against its carapace, every minute fluctuation passing through its skin and becoming a vibration signal.
In his perception, ocean currents were no longer abstract concepts, but warm or cold "roads."
He could feel Leviathan One's stomach cramping slightly.
[Dad, hungry...]
A thought entered Veylin's mind.
[Bear with it. The supplies are already aboard. We'll be able to make your favorite food soon.]
Its response was an even stronger sense of hunger, tinged with hurt.
Just then, Leviathan One's biological radar picked up a slow-moving biological signal.
It changed course.
After a moment's consideration, Veylin did not stop it.
For a deep-sea creature of this size, replenishing its own energy during a long voyage was essential.
Soon, the behemoth's shadow enveloped the unfortunate fish. Dozens of thick tentacles extended from beneath its hull and wrapped around the vaguely outlined mass.
It was a giant ocean sunfish.
Beside the Deep-Sea Behemoth, its size seemed almost laughable.
Leviathan One continued sailing, its tentacles curling around the ocean sunfish and delivering it to the mouthparts concealed beneath its hull.
Coarse, bland, and intensely fishy.
[Doesn't taste good...]
Leviathan One sent a complaining thought.
[If you don't like it, don't eat it.]
Veylin's response was simple and direct.
The behemoth fell silent for a moment, then continued eating anyway.
With no other choice, this great lump of meat would do.
[Once we arrive, I'll make you some "noodles" as soon as I can.]
Veylin promised.
[Noodles! The ones you fed me before, Dad?]
[Yes.]
Leviathan One was delighted, and much of its hunger-driven agitation subsided.
It ate faster,