King of the Seven Seas (EMH) Chapter 3: To Atlantis

[Third person POV]

Arthur glanced back one final time toward the rocky cliffside where his father stood. George met his gaze and gave a solemn, encouraging nod—a silent gesture filled with unspoken hope and belief. Arthur held the look for a second longer before returning the nod with a firmer one of his own. It was a simple exchange, but it spoke volumes.

Without another word, Mera stepped forward. With precision and grace, she dove arms-first off the cliffside, cutting through the air and plunging into the ocean below with barely a splash. Arthur followed a heartbeat later, gripping his silver trident tightly in his hand as he launched himself forward, body streamlined by years of instinctive strength and motion.

As they hit the water, a muffled boom echoed through the deep, a sonic pulse that shot through the sea as their bodies accelerated forward like torpedoes. The force of their descent sent currents rippling outward, disturbing schools of fish and stirring sand along the ocean floor. They moved like living projectiles.

Arthur glanced sideways at Mera, his brow slightly raised. “So,” he asked through the distortion of the water, “you’re engaged to my brother?”

Mera sighed, a soft bubble trail escaping from her lips. “I am. It was a political alliance arranged by my father—King Ryus of the Kingdom of Xebel. His decision to support Prince Orm was purely strategic, a move to secure stronger ties with the Atlantean crown.”

Arthur frowned, eyes narrowing slightly. “And yet here you are, diving through the ocean to find me so I can take the throne instead?” His voice carried the unmistakable edge of skepticism.

Mera scoffed, flicking her head in mild exasperation. “The choice to support Orm was my father’s and his alone. I do not share it. I’ve seen the path your brother wishes to take, and I know where it leads. Atlantis would burn beneath his pride. I refuse to stand by and let that fate unfold.”

Arthur gave a noncommittal hum, his silence speaking more than any words could. Mera slowed her pace, glancing over at him with one perfectly arched brow and a faint smirk teasing at the corners of her lips.

“Don’t tell me you’re already doubting me?” she asked with playful challenge in her voice.

Arthur matched her speed, descending with her toward a stretch of the ocean floor littered with sand-covered coral and algae-draped rocks. “I would be a fool to trust you completely after knowing you for less than an hour,” he said, voice tinged with sarcasm. “So forgive me if I still have a few
 concerns.”

Rather than take offense, Mera chuckled softly, the sound bubbling through the water. “Caution is a sign of wisdom,” she replied. “Frankly, I’d be disappointed if you weren’t at least a little wary. You wouldn’t be a true Crown Prince otherwise.”

Her eyes began to glow faintly blue as she extended her hand toward a massive boulder partially buried in sand. With a wave of her fingers, the stone shimmered, then dissolved into bubbles, revealing a hidden aquatic vehicle nestled beneath—a sleek, crustacean-shaped craft resembling a giant shrimp with armored plating and glowing accents.

Arthur raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed despite himself. “Just call me Arthur,” he said as he turned to her. “You said your father’s a king, which makes you a princess. That makes the two of us royalty—so I suppose you’ve earned that much at least.”

Mera gave him a formal nod that shifted into a playful smile. “I’m honored... Arthur,” she replied, nudging her head toward the open cockpit. “Now get in.”

They both slid into the seats, and the glass dome sealed over them with a soft hiss. Lights flickered to life on the control panel as Mera placed her hands on the controls, guiding the vehicle up and away from the sandy ocean floor. With a surge of power, the vehicle blasted forward in a stream of swirling bubbles, the seabed blurring beneath them as they picked up speed.

“So what’s the plan?” Arthur asked, watching the scenery flash by outside the dome. “Do I have to challenge my brother to a duel or something to claim the throne?”

Mera shook her head, eyes focused ahead. “No, it won’t be that simple. Vulko and I have already devised an alternative. Even if you managed to defeat Orm in combat, many of the seven kingdoms wouldn’t accept your rule. They’d see you as a usurper, and civil war would continue. The only way to unite the kingdom without bloodshed is to recover the Trident of Poseidon.”

Arthur tilted his head. “Never heard of it.”

“It was once wielded by King Atlan—the first ruler of Atlantis,” Mera explained. “The legend says only the true heir to the throne can retrieve it. If you manage to find and wield the trident, it will serve as undeniable proof that your claim is legitimate. No one will dare question you.”

As she finished speaking, the water in front of them shimmered and rippled like a curtain of light. They passed through a force field, and the sight that greeted them beyond took Arthur’s breath away.

There, in the vast expanse of the sea, was Atlantis.

It stretched below them like a dream—an entire city forged of coral, steel, and light. Towering spires pierced the depths, glowing with bioluminescent hues of blue, green, and gold. Elegant architecture rose in spirals and domes, surrounded by vibrant gardens of alien marine flora. Creatures both mechanical and organic swam peacefully between buildings. It was nothing short of breathtaking.

Beneath them, a massive submerged bridge cut across the ocean floor. Along it, a series of massive, circular rings pulsed with surging currents, guiding a steady stream of aquatic vehicles. One side of the bridge served as an entrance route into the city, the other as an exit, all part of the carefully organized flow of life in the undersea metropolis.

Arthur leaned forward, awestruck. “This place is something else.”

Mera glanced at him in surprise. “Have you never been to Atlantis before?”

His expression stiffened slightly, a flicker of something bittersweet crossing his face. He shook his head. “No. I wouldn’t have exactly been welcomed with open arms if I showed up, and truthfully
 I didn’t have much desire to come here before.”

“Ah
 right,” Mera murmured, her tone softening. She gave him an awkward smile, eyes flicking forward as she guided the vessel into one of the controlled current streams that led directly into the city. “My apologies.”

Arthur let out a light chuckle at her awkwardness. “It’s fine,” he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Honestly, I’m satisfied with how things turned out.”

As they passed through the outer gate of Atlantis, Arthur’s eyes widened further. The initial view had only been the tip of the iceberg. Now, the full splendor of the underwater kingdom unveiled itself before him, breathtaking in its scale and creativity.

The city was alive.

It wasn’t just the vehicles with marine-life designs—manta rays, seahorses, and crustacean-shaped transports darting past them like living creatures—but the very architecture pulsed with artistic imagination. Towering structures shaped like jellyfish heads floated above the ground, their tentacle-like supports lit with soft bioluminescent hues. Other buildings resembled the immense silhouettes of whales, with windows resembling glowing barnacles lining their sides. Streets buzzed with movement, lined with markets where Atlanteans traded goods amidst coral stalls, glowing kelp fabrics, and exotic sea creatures. Digital billboards shimmered between swaying seaweed and steel, blending the organic and the technological into one harmonious whole.

Mera stole a glance at Arthur and grinned to herself. He was doing his best to look composed—leaning casually against his seat with arms folded over his trident—but his eyes were betraying him. They were wide and bright, drinking in every detail like a man seeing color for the first time.

“So,” she said, her voice teasing, “what do you think? Does this look like a kingdom worth leading?”

Arthur gave her a sideways glance, then scoffed. “I’ll admit
 it certainly has its charm.”

Mera puffed out her chest proudly, her voice rising with mock grandeur. “Once everything’s settled, I’ll give you the proper tour.”

Arthur couldn’t help but chuckle. Her pride in her city was infectious. “Then I’ll be looking forward to it,” he said, just as she veered their vehicle away from the main thoroughfares and into a less-traveled section of the city.

They descended into a quieter, dimly-lit district tucked behind a ridge of thick coral formations. Here, there were no bustling streets, no lights, no patrols—just the wreckage of old structures and forgotten debris swallowed by the deep. Mera brought the vehicle to a stop behind what appeared to be the remains of a massive pirate ship, its wooden frame long decayed but still intact enough to serve as cover.

The hatch opened with a soft hiss, and Mera swam forward wordlessly. Arthur followed close behind, his grip tightening around his trident as they approached the wreck. Mera slipped through a jagged opening in the ship’s hull, disappearing inside. Arthur entered after her—and instantly noticed something strange.

It was dry.

The interior of the ship had been transformed into an air pocket. The transition was seamless. As Arthur stepped inside, he felt the water slip off his skin, leaving him damp but no longer submerged. Droplets clung to his clothes. With a flick of her wrist, Mera drew the remaining water off both of them in a swirl, leaving their clothes and hair dry.

Arthur’s eyes adjusted to the dim lighting and soon found someone waiting for them—an older man with thick black hair, followed by a full combed beard, and a build that radiated strength beneath his armor. He leaned against a support beam with a familiar warmth in his eyes and a small object in hand.

Arthur’s eyes lit up. “Vulko!”

The man straightened, a smile spreading across his face as he stepped forward. “Prince Arthur. You’ve certainly grown.”

They crossed the room quickly and embraced, gripping each other tightly in a long-overdue reunion.

“Forgive me for not visiting more often,” Vulko said, his voice low against Arthur’s shoulder. “I’ve had
 other duties.”

Arthur chuckled, patting his back firmly. “No apology necessary. I’m just relieved to see you are doing well”

The two broke apart and looked each other over, exchanging warm smiles filled with shared history.

Mera watched the reunion from a few feet away, a curious expression on her face. “I knew the two of you were familiar,” she said with amusement. “But I didn’t realize you were this close.”

Arthur grinned and gestured toward Vulko. “How could I not be? This is the man who taught me everything I know. My combat training, my history lessons, how to control my strength under pressure—without him, I wouldn’t be half the warrior I am today.”

Vulko raised a hand in mock modesty. “And luckily for the both of us, you were a quick learner. Though let’s not pretend it was all smooth sailing.”

Arthur rolled his eyes. “Here we go
”

Seeing Mera’s interest pique, Vulko grinned wickedly and gave Arthur a firm clap on the back. “Don’t let his regal attitude and brooding charm fool you, Princess. He had the worst potty mouth as a kid. I spent months trying to correct the way he spoke. Every other word was something I couldn’t repeat around nobles.”

Mera raised an amused brow, looking between them with delight. Arthur’s face reddened instantly, and he quickly looked away.

“I was raised around sailors,” he muttered. “What did you expect?”

Mera covered her mouth with her hand, laughing behind it as she caught the full force of his embarrassed expression, finding it charming. “Oh, I definitely have to hear more about that.”

“No, you don’t,” Arthur groaned, though his smirk betrayed his fondness for the memory.

Vulko and Mera both laughed, the sound echoing through the hollow chamber of the ship. For a brief moment, there was no war, no politics, no looming confrontation—just the warmth of old friends reconnecting and new bonds quietly forming.