Nerayus Nerayus Nérée


NERAYUS: As he first appears to Ulysses in a cell on the Shark Men's transporter.

NERAYUS: As he appeared to the people of Neryopolis while in hiding.

Nerayus is the King of Neryopolis. When the Shark Men invaded the people of Neryopolis believed that he was killed. Nerayus, however, was very much alive and well. During the occupation Nerayus hid among his people, disguised as an ordinary citizen. From time to time he would ring the Great Bell in the centre of Neryopolis, much to the annoyance of the Shark Men, who are unable to stand the sound. At regular intervals he would broadcast a distress signal, hoping that someone would hear it and convince the people of Neryopolis he was alive.

In The Hidden Truth, Ulysses receives the distress signal. He is about to respond to it when he is captured by the Shark Men and taken to Neryopolis. On the way to Neryopolis Ulysses shares a cell on the Shark Men's transporter with Nerayus, although Nerayus does not identify himself just yet.

Nerayus listens as Ulysses describes the events leading to his capture, including receiving the distress call. Excited that at long last someone has heard the call Nerayus convinces Ulysses to spread the word to his people that he is alive. Ulysses agrees, still not knowing the identity of his fellow prisoner.

When the transporter lands Ulysses escapes. Nerayus has the ability to change his shape at will and, unseen, makes his way to a tavern where he quietly sits by himself, waiting and watching, appearing in the form of an old man. Ulysses enters the tavern and tries his best to convince the people that their King is alive, but to no avail. Nerayus stands up and identifies himself. The people do not recognise him so he leaves the tavern with Ulysses. It is at this point that Ulysses realises that this old man and the prisoner he met earlier are one and the same.

The two of them hatch a plan to rid Neryopolis of the Shark Men once and for all. Joined by Telemachus and Nerayus's son Glycon, they make their way to the locket-control room where they destroy the behaviour-control system that the Shark Men have been implementing. Freed, the people of Neryopolis realise that their King is alive and rise up against the Shark Men, ending their occupation of Neryopolis.