Chapter 134: The Emperor’s Tomb
"The Emperor’s Tomb?" Grim repeated, trying to process the significance of what Lin was telling him."The four Dragon Kings haven’t always ruled the Sea Realm?"
Lin shook her head, retrieving a small book bound in what appeared to be treated sharkskin. "That’s the simplified history most believe. The truth is more complex."
She opened the book. The writing was in a script Grim didn’t recognize, but the illustrations showed a massive dragon.
"Before the Four Dragon Kings, there was one ruler—the Dragon Emperor," Lin explained. "He created all dragons. Gave life to the sea realm."
"What happened to him?" Grim asked.
Lin turned the page, revealing an illustration of a massive battle. "The Great Calamity. No one knows exactly what caused it—the records were largely destroyed. What remains certain is that the Emperor sacrificed himself to save the sea realms."
She pointed to the final illustration—the Emperor’s form dissolving into light, surrounding four smaller dragons.
"Those four dragons—his most trusted generals—became the first Dragon Kings. They divided the seas into four domains. The Emperor himself was entombed in a hidden realm, accessible only with four keys that the kings created from his crown."
"And Jiaolong stole one of these keys," Grim said. "He’s trying to access the Emperor’s Tomb."
"Yes, though it should be impossible for him alone," Lin replied. "The tomb can only be opened when all four keys are united. That’s why the kings separated them—to ensure that no single entity could access the Emperor’s power without the agreement of all four seas."
"Then why steal just one key?"