As the vessel passed through the gates of Atlantis, it continued deeper into the city.
Buildings rose from the ocean floor in every direction while streams of glowing vehicles moved between them. Schools of fish swam freely around the structures, completely unbothered by the civilization surrounding them.
Daniel spent most of the journey looking outside. Mera noticed.
"Hmm, is it beautiful?" she asked. There was a hint of pride in her voice.
Daniel nodded. "Yeah." His eyes remained on the city. "I've seen plenty of beautiful places before, but an entire city beneath the ocean is definitely something special."
Mera couldn't help the small smile that appeared on her face. At least someone was appreciating it instead of complaining.
After several moments of silence, she looked at him again. "You know, I'm curious."
Daniel already knew where this was going. "That's usually how bad decisions begin."
Mera ignored him. "What exactly are you?" Her gaze remained fixed on him. "You're definitely not human."
Most people would've laughed it off or made excuses. Daniel didn't. He leaned back in his seat.
"Oh, curious about me?" The smile on his face immediately made Mera suspicious.
"Careful. Learning too much about me is like discovering a secret recipe. Once you know the secret, you either join the family business or the chef has to silence you."
Mera stared at him. "What the hell kind of answer is that?"
"The fun kind."
Daniel shrugged. "But it's better if you don't know too much about me. Trust me, it's one of those things better left alone."
"And why is that?"
"Because every living thing fears death, whether they admit it or not." His gaze drifted toward the city outside.
"The moment death appears before someone, it usually means something has gone very wrong. So it's better if people don't spend too much time thinking about me."
Mera rolled her eyes. The explanation raised more questions than it answered.
Before she could push further, the vessel began descending through Atlantis's lower levels. The bright towers gradually gave way to older districts near the ocean floor — ancient structures and half-buried shipwrecks resting among the city's foundations.
The vessel settled onto the platform. The hatch opened and Mera swam out. Daniel followed.
She glanced back toward the vessel. "Would you mind getting the idiot out? He's actually important here."
Daniel raised a hand. A ripple moved through the water.
Arthur and Batman appeared beside them.
Bruce stiffened immediately. Being pulled across several thousand feet of ocean floor without warning wasn't something his body appreciated. The pressure around him shifted and Daniel glanced in his direction. Bruce found himself breathing normally, the discomfort gone as quickly as it had arrived.
Arthur wasn't thinking about Bruce.
"What the fuck was that place?" His expression made it clear the dark landscape was still sitting badly with him.
"It served its purpose," Daniel said. "That's enough."
Arthur looked ready to push it. Mera didn't give him the chance.
"We don't have time for this." She pointed toward a partially ruined ship and swam toward it without waiting. The others followed.
The moment they crossed the threshold, water rolled away and all four landed on solid ground, the air pocket holding steady around them.
Arthur looked around slowly, then frowned. "Why is there air in here? Atlanteans can't breathe above water?"
A figure stepped out from the shadows at the far end of the chamber.
"Only those of royal blood can access what lies beyond," Vulko said. "The air pocket keeps larger sea creatures out, but more importantly it prevents curious eyes from finding a place they were never meant to."
His eyes settled on Arthur. "I'm glad you came."
Arthur stared at him for a long moment. "Vulko." He stepped forward. "You cunning old man. You got what you wanted. I'm here."
A faint smile appeared on Vulko's face. Despite everything, Arthur had still come. That alone told him there was hope.
His attention shifted to the rest of the group. Mera was expected. Arthur was expected. The other two were not. One was clearly a surface dweller in black tactical armor. The other made Vulko's expression stiffen almost immediately.
Mera noticed. "It's complicated. They've been helping."
Vulko didn't look reassured. His gaze settled on Daniel for several moments before recognition crossed his face. Unlike Arthur, Vulko paid attention to events beyond Atlantis, and some names were impossible to ignore.
Daniel noticed the reaction. "Oh? Does Atlantis keep files on me?"
Arthur looked between them. "Wait. Is he actually famous?"
Vulko was quiet for a moment. Famous wasn't the word he would have chosen. Troubling seemed more accurate. Potential disaster was another.
"We can talk about that later," Vulko said, turning toward the large stone table at the center of the chamber. Ancient parchment covered its surface. "The important thing is stopping Orm."
Everyone gathered around the table. Arthur looked down at the drawings spread across the parchment — a trident unlike anything used by modern Atlantis.
"What exactly am I looking at?"
Vulko placed a hand on the parchment. "The Trident of Atlan."
Arthur frowned. "The Trident of who?"
"The first king of Atlantis." Vulko continued. "Long before the Seven Kingdoms existed, Atlan united Atlantis beneath a single throne. The trident he wielded became a symbol of his authority and power."
Arthur looked back at the drawing. "And this helps us stop Orm how?"
Vulko met his gaze. "Because whoever claims the Trident of Atlan becomes the rightful ruler of Atlantis."
*****
A/N: If you'd like to read ahead of the Webnovel release schedule, you can join my Patreon!
The Patreon version is 30 chapters ahead.
👉 patreon.com/Universal_Peace