(Y/n) blinked.

He/she stares back at the Sea Emperor dumbfoundingly, yet the Grand Emperor stayed silent for what seemed like hours until they finally dropped their gaze and leaned closer to inspect the newly human in front of them : 'You are no longer... in pain?'

The creature spoke, more of a question rather than a statement. (Y/n) stayed close, his/her voice was quieter now, less sure. They looked back up at the Leviathan; a gentle flush had arisen in their cheeks that made them look full of life, more alive.

"I am not... At least for now."

'You were gone. I found myself missing your company.'

Few days ago, when (Y/n) cured themselves, the enzyme immediately reacted with the new organism - a human organism. It merged onto the body, all the while devouring the Kharaa infection within the blood cells. The pain was unbearable, but started to slowly fade away. Extreme dizziness and throwing up followed by - (Y/n) thought they'll puke their bloody guts out before dying.

But it passed. No matter how violent the reaction was, The Enzyme completely washed the infection away. But it also gave something new. Immunity.

(Y/n)'s consciousness could barely hold up. They became more drowsy, sleepy while their body tried to recover and accept the Enzyme within their organism. Throughout time, the enzyme was settled, giving new colors to the human survivor, literally. (L/n) noticed how small pale blue freckles started to appear on their skin - their cheeks, their shoulders, their back. The freckles were infinitesimal, but slightly noticeable. And most importantly, cyan blue sclera. So far, (Y/n) has no explanation for such physical changes.

The Sea Emperor was worried when they noticed that their friend hasn't showed up for couple of days. Even the babies would stare at the aquarium entrance waiting for (Y/n) to come in again. But thankfully - (Y/n) was alive.

'I am relieved.' The sea emperor spoke 'Your journey, your ambitions - were succeeded.'

"It's hard to believe... but it's done. I'm no longer infected. But there's still work to do: The Precursor Quarantine Enforcement Platform, Building a new rocket for transportation..." (Y/n) feels heavy from their arms to feet, they still have to get used to the Enzyme within them, sleepy from it. But before they could drift into sleep while swimming and mumbling, Five small Leviathans floated towards the human while enveloping them in an awkward hug.

"ₘₐₘₐ, ₘₐₐₐₘ ₘₐₘₘₐ

ᵐᵃᵐᵐᵃ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ, ᵇᵃᶜᵏ... ᵇᵃᶜᵏ! ⁽ʸ/ⁿ⁾ ʰᵉʳᵉ''

"Jeffrey, Billy, Samwise, Marshall and Sean!" - forgetting what (Y/n) was about to say, their course of attention was immediately shifted towards The tinny Sea Emperors with a chiper happy face "Wait you guys can now speak better?"

'They've been waiting for you, so they've been learning while you were away.' - The Emperor's voice had a tint of amusement, as if they've been waiting for (Y/n)'s reaction, to show off like a proud mamma.

"Oh, So you all have been growing up? Who's the good leviathan? Huh, huh ? It's all of you!"

The (gender) human immediately grabbed onto the small bundles of joy, cooing at them while the babies all murmured in response. Their whimpers were snuffling, like their snout was blocked and whenever they saw Their Leviathan Mamma or the Human (Y/n), the juveniles would root onto them, turning their heads and opening their little mouths.

'ᴵ'ᵐ ᵃ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ˡᵉᵛᶦᵃᵗʰᵃⁿ!

⁽ʸ/ⁿ⁾ ᶦˢ ʰᵉʳᵉ, ˢʰᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ... ᵇᵃᶜᵏ

ᴮˡᵘᵉ ᵉʸᵉˢ, ᵇˡᵘᵉ ᵉʸᵉˢ... ʰᵉᵉᵉˡˡᵒᵒᵒ'

(Y/n) loved them as much as the 2600 year old Emperor Leviathan did. Of course, the adult creature would stare in awe while the human played and cuddled the babies, despite them being almost the same height as (Y/n). The Grand Emperor, sat nearby in the center, their tendrils slowly floating up and down while finally feeling accomplished and at peace - they knew their time is over.

'Just like you, my friend, my Journey has come to an end.'

"Huh..?" (Y/n) turned towards the Huge Leviathan, their senses relaxing "Well, yeah. The babies are hatched, now I have to figure out how to lead you all o-"

Unexpectedly, The Sea Emperor Leviathan felt weaker, exhaustion and sleep taking over them. Scaring (L/n) to the core, he/she saw how the Leviathan almost stumbled on their own claws, shaking. "Oh no, are you okay? What's wrong?!"

The Sea Emperor can feel the tiredness inside them like a worm, slowly but deliberately draining their life. Their paddle-like claws shaking, barely holding themselves up. The four cyan blue eyes were getting heavier, blurier.They could hear (Y/n)'s sudden calls of worry, but the emperor didn't listen. Everything seems to move in a dragged pace, all submerged into a hazy fuzz.

'My young will swim freely in the shallows... outside this place.' - They spoke in a hushed tone, feeling as small human palms were warped around their leathery skin. 'Their freedom is my end.'

(Y/n) gasped in realization, while small Leviathan Juveniles whimpered in sadness. Now that their parent's age was more advanced than any species on this planet, The ancient Sea Emperor greeted each new day as a burden to be carried. Their joints ached year round, regardless of the waters, but their heart kept beating just the same.

"No no no... You didn't tell me, I could've done something, I-" (Y/n) clutched onto their only friend who helped them survive this journey. He/she tried to keep the Emperor awake, keeping a close notice of their breathing pace. (Y/n) never felt fear before as now.

But the Giant Leviathan wasn't aghast, instead they stared at (Y/n)'s distressed expression with soft eyes, only to sigh in relief. (Y/n)(L/n) was a bliss, a shooting star who came all the away across the galaxy. A gift that no other soul could receive, and the Sea Emperor was forever grateful. 'What will it be like, I wonder, to go to sleep and never wake up?'

Within this aquarium, The Sea Emperor was imprisoned for more than thousands of years. And in the depth of 1200m, they awaited centuries for someone to arrive - to help them. They Stayed strong and sharp, for their unhatched younglings, for the sake of survival. But seeing as The Sea Emperor's silent prayers were answered by the arrival of a loving Human - They knew, there's hope.

'Perhaps next we meet I will be an ocean current, carrying seeds to a new land... Or a creature so small it sees the gaps between the grains of sand.'

The Alien toddlers swam softly closer to their mother, now speaking an incoherent language that (Y/n) could never decipher. But whether or not it was their final goodbyes, The (Gender) human wasn't ready : "No! Please don't leave me, don't leave us! I can try something...I'll lead you all out of here... I- "

'You are the cure for this planet, (Y/n). An euphoria gifted by the stars. I thank you.'

Everything was going too fast and quiet for (L/n), while the oblivious Little Ones whimpered in sorrow. All that was on the horizon now was more of the ravages of age stealing into The Ancient Leviathan's skin and bones bit by bit, until eventually their mind couldn't escape it. The only sound within the Aquarium was now the low sobs of a (gender) human, while he/she cuddled as close as possible onto their dear alien friend.

'Farewell, friend.'

____________

And now, Reader is cured and the emperor is at peace. There's still more things for (Y/n) to take care of. Don't worry, the story is not over just yet.