After some time, the group appeared in Erice.
The difference was immediate. After spending hours among ancient ruins, deserts, and hidden kingdoms, the small Sicilian town felt almost unreal. Stone streets wound between old buildings decorated with flowers.
Music drifted through the air from nearby cafés while people filled the streets without any concern for wars, ancient tridents, or the fate of Atlantis.
Mera slowly looked around. Children ran through the streets while tourists wandered taking photographs. The atmosphere felt peaceful.
"So what do you think of this place?" Daniel asked, standing near the stone stairs overlooking part of the town.
"It's... quiet."
He laughed. "There are hundreds of people around us."
"I know." Mera glanced toward a group of musicians playing nearby. "Yet somehow it still feels quiet."
Before Daniel could reply, a young woman walking past noticed Mera — perhaps because of her unusual appearance, perhaps simply because she felt like it. Either way, she smiled, handed Mera a rose, and continued on her way.
Mera stared at the flower, then at Daniel. "What do I do with it?"
"Keep it."
"What is it for?"
"It's a flower."
Mera waited.
Daniel sighed. "People give flowers for lots of reasons. Friendship. Appreciation. Affection. Gratitude. Usually it's meant as a kind gesture."
Mera nodded thoughtfully. Then she immediately took a bite out of it.
Daniel froze. Arthur froze.
Mera chewed for several seconds before swallowing. "It's not very filling."
Daniel rubbed his forehead. "Mera. That wasn't food."
"You just said people give it to others."
"Yes."
"And food is commonly given to others."
Daniel stared at her. The logic was terrible. It was also difficult to argue against.
Arthur burst out laughing. Mera ignored him and examined the remaining flower. "So humans give each other decorative plants to express emotions?"
"Basically."
She looked down at the half-eaten rose, seeming slightly embarrassed — only slightly — then quietly threw the rest into a nearby trash bin and pretended the entire incident had never happened.
Daniel watched and decided this was something he would never let her forget.
"So are we going to search for clues or wander around sightseeing?" Arthur asked, still carrying Atlan's trident over his shoulder.
"First, you should stop carrying that thing around."
"Why?"
"Because you look like a weirdo."
Arthur looked around and noticed the stares. A giant man carrying a trident through a small Italian town wasn't exactly normal. Grumbling, he lowered the weapon.
"Much better."
Daniel folded the map away. "And there's no need to hurry. We can take our time. Nobody is chasing us."
Arthur wanted to argue but couldn't find a reason.
The trio wandered through Erice before stopping near a fountain in a small square where a street musician sat playing a violin. Daniel sat on the edge of the fountain and listened while the music echoed through the square.
Arthur sat down nearby. Mera remained standing, looking over the map again. Daniel leaned back and enjoyed the music.
After several minutes Arthur looked over. "You actually like this stuff?"
"It's good."
Arthur listened for a few seconds. To him it just sounded like violin music.
Daniel closed his eyes. For someone who spent most of his time dealing with disasters, strange powers, and ancient mysteries, sitting beside a fountain listening to a random musician was surprisingly relaxing.
The musician finished his piece. Several people applauded. Daniel tossed a few euros into the collection case. The old man smiled and thanked him before beginning another song.
Mera looked at Daniel. "You really aren't in a hurry."
He opened one eye. "The clue survived thousands of years. It can wait another ten minutes." Then he closed it again.
***
At the same time, far from Italy, inside the hidden Amazon temple where the Mother Box was being guarded, the atmosphere suddenly changed.
The Amazons stationed around the artifact felt it immediately. The air became heavier. The Mother Box began emitting rapid pulses of light. Several warriors exchanged wary looks.
Then a crack appeared in the space above the chamber. It widened. Purple energy leaked from it. An alarm was shouted through the temple.
Before the warriors could react, the crack exploded outward into a massive portal.
A wave of energy tore through the temple — stone pillars shattered, walls collapsed, several Amazons thrown across the chamber as debris rained down. The sacred hall that had stood for centuries was devastated within seconds.
The Mother Box kept pulsing. Faster. Louder. As though responding to something approaching from the other side.
The surviving Amazons immediately formed ranks despite the destruction around them. Spears raised. Shields locked together. Eyes fixed on the portal. Nobody retreated. Nobody panicked. These were Amazons. Whatever emerged would be met with steel.
The portal expanded further. Darkness swirled within it. Then a massive figure stepped through, armor black and silver, eyes glowing with an unnatural light.
Behind it came another. Then another. The ground shook beneath their weight.
The Amazon warriors tightened their formation. The Mother Box's pulses echoed throughout the ruined temple.
Something had come for it.
*****
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