Solidus, The Power of the Water of Life, The Desolate Southern Seas?

Solidus' reaction was intense, even more so than when he mistakenly thought they were enemies as if he had heard something unimaginable.

"The deep-sea dragon whale clan has always been unyielding, taking pride in dying in battle. Why would you submit to a lowly human lord?"

"My Lord is not lowly!" Anina detected the disdain and resentment in his words and, like an irritated kitten, retorted, "It was my great lord who took in the homeless me! It was the people of the Crown of the Ocean who gave me a home!"

"Humph! Can a deep-sea dragon whale ever truly integrate into human society? We are the rulers of the ocean, and we have never bowed to any other race! Not even the gods could make us submit!"

Solidus spoke with a voice that was old but unyielding, looking at the still-defiant Anina and Ji Chen by her side, his anger rising.