Deviant: No Longer Human

Its immense form cast a shadow over Wang Xiao and Aurora, an awe-inspiring presence that commanded attention.

Splash!

"Kekeke...."

In the way of this colossal creature\'s arrival, a group of orcas surfaced, their heads poking out from behind the whale as if they were in on some cosmic joke.

Their laughter, though chilling, seemed almost playful, but the scene quickly turned deadly.

"Argh—"

"Save me!"

The few Deviants who had narrowly escaped the initial turmoil were not spared the orcas\' merciless play.

They were torn apart, the orcas treating them as playthings, their screams punctuating the air as the predators\' teeth gleamed crimson with their blood.

This gruesome scene jolted Wang Xiao from his daze.

"I have seen this one..." He whispered, a mixture of recognition in his voice.

Memories of a ship incident from a decade ago flooded back, featuring this very whale.

Aurora, her expression somber, confirmed his realization. "That\'s Tiamat," she said, her tone carrying a weight of unspoken history.

Whoooooooo!

The whale, as if acknowledging its name, let out a sound that resonated through the air like a shockwave.

Booom!

This sonic boom washed over Wang Xiao and the others, a palpable force that even caused the dragon to recoil slightly.

Amidst the chaos, Wang Xiao\'s face reflected a complex web of emotions.

Aurora, sensing the gravity of the moment, placed a hand on his shoulder. "I need to tell you something," she announced, her voice promised information of profound significance.

Wang Xiao listened intently as Aurora unveiled the mysteries of their survival and Tiamat\'s ancient origins.

"...Unlike Aura, who hails from the era of Pangea, Tiamat predates even that vast continent. Our knowledge of her comes from the most ancient scrolls. It was Mimi who accidentally discovered her, and since then, Tiamat has only ever responded to Mimi," Aurora began, painting a picture of a creature so ancient and powerful, its existence seemed like a myth brought to life.

"The sinking of the Eighth Continent was orchestrated by Mimi, utilizing Tiamat and her orca companions. Perhaps they\'ve sensed Mimi\'s presence and have come here," she continued.

"This legacy Mimi left behind is the most treasured among us," Aurora concluded, her expression darkening.

"Why the grim face, then?" Wang Xiao probed, his curiosity piqued.

If they could command such creatures, what need was there for fear or concern?

Aurora\'s gaze held a complexity of emotions as she responded. "Tiamat is an immortal beast, far beyond our comprehension. And as for our survival, her role has been pivotal. She holds the key to immortality," she revealed, her words echoing with a secret long kept hidden.

"Immortality?" The word hung in the air, a concept so seductive it seized Wang Xiao\'s full attention.

Aurora nodded, her hand gently caressing the dragon beside her as she explained the dire situation they faced after the great extinction.

"Aether vanished, and with it, the ability to sustain our kind. But it was through Tiamat that we borrowed time, learning to manipulate our cellular structure for self-repair and achieve a form of immortality," she said, a note of solemn gratitude coloring her voice.

Wang Xiao, his gaze now fixed on the majestic creature that was Tiamat, "How can she help you survive?" he asked, his mind racing to comprehend the ancient magic and science that intertwined in their tale of survival against the march of time.

"Aether," Aurora\'s single-word response was both an answer and an invitation to a deeper understanding.

"Hm?" Wang Xiao\'s confusion was evident, his brows arching in a mix of curiosity and bewilderment.

"Come with me," Aurora said, her tone suggesting urgency. Grasping Wang Xiao\'s hand, they took off with a sudden whoosh, propelling towards Tiamat with a speed that turned the world into a blur around them.

As they drew closer to Tiamat, its vastness became increasingly apparent to Wang Xiao. The creature\'s dark gray skin, slippery and expansive, stretched out like a living landscape beneath them.

Thud!

They landed on Tiamat\'s back, a maneuver that left Wang Xiao in awe. The experience of standing atop such a mythic creature was beyond words.

Whoooooooo!

Tiamat emitted a frequency, a sound that seemed to carry layers of meaning, prompting Aurora to sigh. "She is trying to communicate, but without Mimi, we\'re left to guess. Only she could decipher their language," Aurora explained, a note of regret in her voice for the lost connection.

Then, with a deliberate motion, Aurora crouched and made a small incision on Tiamat\'s back. Wang Xiao watched, startled by the action.

"What are you doing...?" he couldn\'t help but ask, his voice laced with caution and amusement.

Aurora continued, undeterred.

The cut, though it appeared severe at close range, was insignificant compared to the colossal size of Tiamat. "The blood of Tiamat contains the last reserves of Aether. Properly refined, it can extend one\'s lifespan indefinitely. It\'s not sufficient to grant immortality to an whole army, but for a few individuals, it\'s more than enough," she explained, her actions precise and reverent.

As the blood gathered into a large, hovering droplet, Aurora performed a mysterious ritual that transformed its color to a glowing blue.

Then, with a graceful motion, she directed it towards Aura, who was waiting nearby.

Whoosh!

With an eager opening of her mouth, Aura consumed the droplet.

The white scales on her back immediately began to glow, turning even brighter.

??

The self-repairing nature of Tiamat\'s body was a marvel to witness. The bruise that Aurora had inflicted healed in mere moments, leaving no trace of the wound.

With the task completed, Aurora grasped Wang Xiao\'s hand, and together, they soared back to the surface.

Whoosh!

As they ascended, Tiamat, with a silent nod to the natural order of things, dived back into the depths, her orca companions following suit.

Aurora, upon landing, exhaled deeply, a mix of relief and exhaustion evident in her gesture of wiping her forehead.