Chapter 348: Task Completed!

Jax stood in silence after hearing the full explanation, his golden eyes remained fixed upon the tiny creature imprisoned within the translucent sphere.

The once-apocalyptic monster continued pacing across the inner barrier with restless, mechanical determination. Thousands of miniature blue eyes blinked independently while its tiny concentric jaws rotated with the same unnerving rhythm as before.

It no longer looked capable of swallowing dimensions, yet knowing its history, knowing that it had once been created by the combined efforts of the Seven Primordial Gods, it somehow appeared even more dangerous.

"..."

Meridia extended a graceful hand. The sphere floated gently away from Jax before coming to rest above her palm. The creature immediately turned toward her.

Its countless eyes narrowed. Its tiny body lowered into what looked unmistakably like a predatory stance.

Even reduced to the size of a housecat and imprisoned beneath dozens of conceptual barriers, it still remembered what she was.

Meridia looked at it with quiet sadness, "So much effort..."

Her voice was almost a whisper, "So many hopes all crushed,"

She watched the creature continue glaring at her.

The creature gave no response beyond another series of tiny clicking sounds and Meridia sighed, "I suppose even after all these millions of years instinct is all that remains,"

She slowly closed her fingers around the floating sphere, not tightly, but simply enough to cradle it. Golden divine water flowed from the fountain behind her, wrapping around the prison in several additional translucent layers.

Each layer shimmered with an entirely different divine authority. One stabilized space, another sealed dimensional movement and another suppressed divine adaptation.

A fourth quieted the creature's endless hunger.

By the time Meridia finished, the tiny monster now floated inside what looked like a miniature ocean enclosed within crystal.

Jax raised an eyebrow, "Adding more insurance before killing it off?"

Meridia smiled faintly,"I've learned that when dealing with creations of the Genesis Project that there is no such thing as excessive caution."

Jax chuckled, "Fair point."

With that, silence settled over the Divine Domain once again.

The fountain continued flowing peacefully. Tiny stars drifted through the surrounding waters while schools of radiant fish circled the enormous sanctuary without fear.

Compared to the ancient story Meridia had just revealed, the tranquility almost felt unreal.

Eventually, Meridia turned fully toward Jax. The seriousness that had filled her face moments earlier gradually softened.

Then, she just smiled, "Thank you,"

"You don't have to, it's just a transaction," Jax said.

"I disagree," Meridia straightened gracefully, "Jax, those girls just asked you to save the Demon Kingdom. You could have ignored everything else. You had no obligation to investigate the Western Varoza Ocean or to any of the Merfolk, and certainly no obligation to bring the creature here alive instead of simply destroying it,"

"Because of your decision, I've learned quite a bit, and will be able to ensure nothing like this beast threatens Terra again,"

Jax rubbed the back of his neck, "I just figured killing it before learning anything would've been wasteful."

Meridia laughed quietly, "Only you would describe capturing one of the greatest catastrophes in existence as avoiding waste."

"I've always disliked throwing away useful information," Jax said.

"Smart," Meridia nodded.

The Primordial Goddess's laughter echoed gently through the sanctuary. She then lifted one hand and the waters of her Divine Domain responded immediately.

Countless streams spiraled upward before converging together. Pearls, coral, blue crystal, liquid mana and ancient divine script. Each material floated independently before slowly beginning to merge.

Jax watched curiously, "What are you making?"

"Your reward of course," Meridia responded.

The materials continued weaving themselves together. The pearl became the centerpiece while the coral transformed into intricate silver-blue filigree. The crystal condensed into a perfectly smooth sphere no larger than a marble.

Finally, a delicate chain formed around it. The completed necklace drifted gently toward Meridia. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

The chain itself resembled braided strands of liquid silver. Tiny droplets of water continuously flowed along its surface without ever falling. Suspended from the center rested the crystalline orb.

Inside that orb, an entire miniature ocean seemed to exist.Tiny fish swam lazily within.Coral reefs shimmered beneath soft sunlight. It was as though someone had compressed an entire underwater paradise into a single jewel.

Meridia held it carefully and then extended it toward Jax.

He accepted it and immediately, he felt something, a familiar presence that was welcoming. It reminded him of standing within the temple itself.

"The mana..."

Meridia nodded, "It carries my blessing."

Jax examined the necklace, "It's beautiful."

Meridia smiled, "I'm glad you think so."

She pointed toward the tiny ocean suspended inside the orb, "That isn't merely decoration. It serves three purposes."

Jax listened attentively.

"First, it identifies you as my honored guest. No Merfolk will mistake your presence for hostility while you wear it. Second, it records my divine authority meaning no sacred barriers throughout the Merfolk Kingdom will block you. You'll have access everywhere,"

"Thank you," Jax said.

Meridia smiled approvingly, "I would appreciate if my kingdom remained intact."

Jax laughed, "I wasn't planning on breaking anything."

"I believe you mostly," Meridia said.

"And the third purpose?"

Meridia gently tapped the crystal orb and the tiny ocean inside shimmered, "If you ever become lost beneath the sea, this necklace will guide you."

"Guide me?" Jax asked.

"It always knows where my kingdom is."

Jax looked impressed, "So it's essentially a compass."

"A divine compass."

"That works too."

She nodded.

"The oceans are unimaginably vast. Currents always shift and pathways can disappear over time. Even experienced Merfolk occasionally lose themselves in the deeper waters."

Her expression became slightly nostalgic, "This ensures you never will."

Jax carefully slipped the necklace around his neck. The crystal orb rested comfortably against his chest and then immediately, it disappeared beneath his clothing.

Not because it became invisible, but rather, its mana simply concealed itself naturally.

Jax raised an eyebrow, "It hides?"

Meridia smiled proudly, "I designed it that way. It only appears when needed."

"Convenient." Jax said.

"I thought so," Meridia folded her hands before her, "Whenever you decide to visit the Merfolk Kingdom, simply touch the orb and pour a small amount of mana into it. It will reveal the safest route, and if you're already within the ocean, it will shorten the journey considerably."

Jax nodded, "I appreciate it."

"You've earned it," She looked at him warmly.

After that, Jax looked toward the edge of the Divine Domain, "I should head back."

Meridia nodded, "The Demon Kingdom will be waiting,"

"So will paperwork," Jax muttered with a small laugh.

Meridia blinked, "Paperwork?"

Jax sighed dramatically and jokingly,, "I've been away for several days. My advisors have undoubtedly accumulated mountains of reports."

Meridia covered her mouth to hide another laugh, "So even Demon Kings cannot escape administration."

"Unfortunately not," Jax said with a smile.

"I find that strangely comforting."

"See you soon," She sounded completely certain. Golden mana slowly gathered beneath Jax's feet. The familiar teleportation array expanded across the floor of the Divine Domain.

Its intricate circles rotated lazily. Meridia watched him quietly, "Jax."

He looked back.

"Thank you."

Her gratitude carried no divine grandeur.

Jax smiled, "It was worth it."

The teleportation circle brightened. Light enveloped him. The Divine Domain slowly faded from view. The last thing he saw was Meridia standing beside the great fountain.

One hand resting gently atop the prison containing the tiny artificial mythical beast. Watching him leave with a peaceful smile.

The world folded. The scent of ancient seawater disappeared. Warm sunlight replaced the cool glow of Meridia's sanctuary.

Golden light flashed once. Then, Jax reappeared upon the highest balcony of the Demon King's Palace.