#9 - The End of the Beginning: Part Two

[Stardrifter]

by
Stardrifter

#9 - The End of the Beginning: Part Two

<I wish you would stay a bit longer,> Garth says, disappointment coloring his thoughts. He swims alongside Arthur as they leisurely head out of the palace.

Smiling wide, partially to hide his own conflicted feelings, Arthur playfully punches Garth in the arm. <I have someone waiting for me back on the surface. In all the fuss last night I forgot, but she's probably worried sick.>

<I understand.> Air bubbles betray Garth's frustrated sigh, but Arthur can tell the young prince means it.

<It'll only be for a day or so,> Arthur assures him. <It'll give your father's wise men time to see what they can find. After spending my whole life not knowing the truth, I'm not about to abandon the search when I'm this close. I just...I just can't leave her up there. Not knowing.>

The two come to a stop, floating high above the city of Shayeris. This far under water, the city looks much the same in the day as it did during the night. Only now there's even more life as the people of Shayeris go about their daily lives. It takes Arthur some getting used to, seeing a city where the people aren't simply walking about the streets, but swimming in all manner of directions.

<She must mean a lot to you. This woman.>

Arthur smiles again. <Her name is Jenna. And yeah, she means everything to me.>

<Well then, I expect to see you back here soon!> Garth says, playfully sounding like he's making a decree. <There is much we need to do! So much still you must...>

Garth's thoughts trail off as he stares off behind Arthur's shoulder. Confused, Arthur turns in time to see the glowing net heading for him. Reaching out to grab Garth by the collar, he swims upward with incredible speed. It's not fast enough. The net catches him by the feet and sends a jolt of electricity through his body. Grinding his teeth, Arthur tries to reach down and untangle himself from the net, only to find another heading straight for him. The pain is almost unbearable, and the last thing he sees before losing consciousness is the sight of two dozen Atlantean soldiers surrounding him.

****

<His Majesty said awaken!>

The words scream in Arthur's dazed mind. He fights to open his eyes, the lights blinding him. A solid punch to his jaw helps clear his head, if only by giving him a new pain to focus on. Blinking furiously to clear his vision, Arthur finds himself kneeling on a hard stone floor. Atlantean guards, wearing the same uniforms as the ones who attacked him, hold his arms above him while another guard shoves his knee into Arthur's back.

<Where am I?> Arthur asks, confused. The room is large and ornately designed. All around is an audience of what Arthur assumes are Atlantean nobles from the way they dress. In front of him, high atop a large set of stairs, sits a man on a throne. Arthur quickly notes this is not King Thar or the throne room in Shayeris. The man is large for an Atlantean, with well defined muscles. Atop his head sits an almost comically large crown made of crystal that glows in the light. Sitting on a smaller throne behind him to his right is a beautiful woman with pale blond hair and even paler skin.

<You do not ask questions!> one of the guards shouts, slamming his fist into Arthur's face again.

<Enough,> the man atop the thrown says, boredom apparent in his thoughts. With a single, graceful push against the throne, the man floats down and lands a few feet in front of Arthur. <King Thar said he knew nothing of our people.> The man looks down at Arthur with disdain, as if looking at a sickly beggar. <You have the honor of kneeling before King Orm, ruler of all Poseidonis.>

The pompousness coming from Orm is so overwhelming that Arthur replies without thinking. <A great honor, indeed.> It earns him another punch in the face.

<You certainly have spirit, whatever you are.> Orm smiles, amused at Arthur's defiance. <Despite the strained relations between Poseidonis and the Hidden Valley, King Thar wisely decided to inform me about you. He believes you to be a threat to all Atlantis. A threat he did not feel qualified to address.>

<I am no threat to Atlantis!> Arthur objects. The guard rears back to throw another punch, but is stayed by a wave of Orm's hand.

<No threat?> Orm chuckles, causing the court to dutifully chuckle in return. <You are a surface dweller. You come to our land, claim to be the Unifier from some ancient prophecy, and corrupt our youth!>

<I claim nothing!> Arthur shouts, anger boiling up in him. <I just want to know who I am! Where I come from! Is that a crime?>

<If I say it is, yes.> Orm's lips spread into a devilish grin. <King Thar called you a freak. You look like a surface dweller yet breath like us. You project your thoughts but can read the thoughts of others unbidden. Do you deny this?>

Arthur looks about like an animal caught in a trap, trying to find any friendly face that might help him. All he sees are the looks of fear and scorn amongst the Atlantean people. All save for the woman sitting behind King Orm's throne. <I don't deny it, but I...>

<So be it!> King Orm shouts to the court, swimming backward up to his throne. <I declare you to be a surface dweller abomination! A trick to infiltrate Atlantis or a weapon to use against us! Whatever the case may be, you are sentenced to death! Guards, take him away!>

The guards start to lift Arthur up. He lets them pull him to his feet, but with little effort he swings his arms and sends them flying into the crowd. The people gasp and cower while the remaining guards all draw their weapons. <You would sentence me to death without letting me defend myself?> Arthur shouts for the entire court to hear. <Is that the justice of King Orm of Poseidonis?>

The guards begin to move in to attack but Orm holds up his hands. Looking about the room, he can see the doubt on the faces of his subjects. If he must play at this a bit longer, so be it. <Let none say I am an unjust King. Very well, say your piece.>

Arthur takes a deep breath and runs his hand through his hair, trying to gather his thoughts. The guards stand down but keep their weapons in their hands, ready for anything. <My name is Arthur Curry. I was raised on the surface but I don't believe I was born there. Eighteen years ago there was a terrible storm in Amnesty Bay, Maine. During that storm, a man appeared out of nowhere before the man who raised me and left me there without explanation.>

<A man?> Orm interrupts. <A surface dweller?>

<I don't know,> Arthur replies, uncertainty in his thoughts. <My father described him as a large man, at least seven feet tall. He had a long beard of gray, white, and blue. His eyes were deep pools of blue.>

A sudden disturbance in the water causes Orm to look behind him. Arthur follows his gaze. The woman sitting behind Orm has her hand to her mouth, as if in shock. <Mother?> Orm asks. She simply shakes her head in response. Turning back to Arthur, Orm says, <It sounds like no Atlantean to me.>

<My father said he was like no man he'd ever met. He was otherworldly. He disappeared out of nowhere.>

<Fae tales! Nonsense!> Orm says, laughing. <Unless you have something else to say in your defense, my judgement stands.>

Arthur looks about the room, trying to grasp at something that might change the King's mind. No help is offered. He looks up to the King's mother, who only stares at him as if he were a ghost. Finally, Arthur heaves a heavy sigh and says, <No.> The second the thought leaves him, something occurs to Arthur. He snaps his head up and looks right into the King's eyes. <After all, I don't even know what my options are.>

Reaching out with his mind, Arthur reads Orm's thoughts. <None, you fool. Save trial by combat.>

<Then you are to be executed,> Orm announces. <Take him aw...>

<I request trial by combat!> Arthur shouts defiantly. He smiles at the pained look on the King's face. He can see the exact moment realization comes to him.

<You read my thoughts!> Orm shouts, offended.

<And you can't deny my request!>

Orm's mouth hangs agape. He quickly recovers, trying to save face in front of the court. He looks about to the sea of faces in the crowd, desperate not to look the fool. <So be it. You have one hour to prepare. Take him to his cell.>

****

The guards attempt to drag Arthur to his cell. It doesn't go as planned. In the end, rather than stir up trouble, Arthur resigns to being escorted to his cell. The small, cramped space hollowed out of a wall is barely enough room for Arthur to stretch out. As the bars lower over the entrance, the guards leave while whispering about the "freak" in their midst.

With little to do besides get lost in thought, Arthur decides to try and rest before battle. Despite picking what he needed from Orm's surface thoughts, he doesn't really know what to expect. Will he be fighting an Atlantean? Many? Some kind of sea creature? He can't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. As unusual as his life is, nothing could have prepared him for the revelation of Atlantis.

Arthur's eyes snap open at the faint buzzing sound before him. The man on the other side of the bars jumps slightly, barely keeping grip on the contraption in his hands. <Who are you?> Arthur barks. <What do you want?>

<My...my name is Healer Ulyn,> the elderly man says, avoiding Arthur's gaze.

<And what are you doing with that thing?> Arthur says, his thoughts calm yet firm.

In Ulyn's hand is a small mechanical device mounted on a handle. Two long bars stick out of the sides, waving back and forth while blinking blue and green and buzzing. Ulyn's eyes never leave it. <I am merely...making sure you are healthy before your trial.>

<So that device is telling you how healthy I am?> Arthur raises an eyebrow.

<Yes.> <No.>

<No?> Arthur frowns, Ulyn's thoughts betraying him. <So what does it do?>

<It...it is just making sure you are healthy!> Ulyn stammers, before thinking, <Scans your DNA.>

<My DNA?> Arthur shouts, reaching throw the bars toward Ulyn. <Why? Who sent you?>

<Queen Atlanna,> Ulyn thinks. Then, showing a quickness unexpected of one so old, he backs away just in time. He shoves the device in his coat and swims off in a hurry.

<Why?> Arthur shouts after him. <What about my DNA?> It's no use. Ulyn is gone, along with any answers he may have.

****

<We are gathered here to witness a trial by combat!> King Orm announces to the people gathered in the large arena. It is spherical, with only the top portion open to allow entrance and exit. The other curved sides are covered in seats packed with the people of Poseidonis. The center of the sphere, at least over two football fields in any direction, offers a huge area for the combatants to face off. <The accused, Arthur Curry, shall face my champion! Glorid'en!>

At the center of the arena, Arthur is overwhelmed by the telepathic cheering of the crowd. From the entrance above, a large Atlantean descends, covered in armor made of a luminescent green and gold materials. In one hand he waves to the crowd, basking in their adoration. In the other hand he holds a sword the length of his own body and at least one foot wide. One side is razor sharp, the other a serrated edge.

<Do you have any final words, Arthur Curry?> Orm asks. A wide, cheerful grin shines on his face. In contrast, Queen Atlanna sits behind him in the royal box, wringing her hands.

<Let's just get this over with.>

The crowd floods Arthur's mind with boos and insults. Arthur does all he can to push them aside as Glorid'en places a spike helmet atop his head. Arthur looks down at the small scraps of armor he was offered, a cracked shoulder pad and a tiny buckler. It does as little to impress as the chipped dagger in his hand.

<Begin!> King Orm commands.

Glorid'en smiles and laughs at Arthur, resting his greatsword on his shoulder, obviously unconcerned. The crowd eats up Glorid'en's bravado, cheering more furiously than before. Finally having had enough, Arthur throws the dagger away, letting it slowly sink to the bottom of the arena. This causes a confused look to appear on Glorid'en's face.

<I'm sorry,> Arthur says, genuine regret in his thoughts.

<Sorry?> is all Glorid'en gets to say before Arthur shoots across the arena faster than he can react. A mighty fist slams into Glorid'en's helmet, denting the metal and sending the champion careening into the stands. He crashes amongst the spectators, sending them scattering and bubbles everywhere as the water settles. When the water finally clears, Glorid'en rests upside down, his legs slumped over his face, unconscious.

The crowd falls deathly silent, no one able to believe what they see. Arthur remains still, waiting for any reaction from King Orm. The King sits with his mouth agape, his head turning back and forth from Arthur to Glorid'en in disbelief.

<He is the one.>

The lone thought echoes throughout the minds of everyone in the arena, it's originator unclear. As it sinks in, Orm rises from his seat in fury. <Guards! Kill him! Now!>

A mix of cheers and boos reverberate through the crowd. Two dozen guards begin to swim toward Arthur from every direction, wielding spears and harpoon guns. Surrounded, Arthur heads straight for the exit in the roof of the arena. Four guards close in on him as he goes, two firing harpoons. He dodges one, spinning in the water with little effort, grabs the second one, and brings it up to parry the spear of another guard.

<Seal the arena!> Orm's thoughts scream at the guards. <NOW!>

Ripples fall down through the water as a thick stone door closes over the top of the arena. The crowd begins to panic, fearing being trapped inside while the battle is going on. Seeing his chance for escape slipping away, Arthur grabs a guard and spins around, tossing him another set of guards swimming toward him. Shooting up like a rocket, Arthur makes for the closing door with every ounce of strength he has. He reaches the door just as it's about to close, his freedom in sight, when two darts spring out of nowhere and slam into his shoulder pad. Suddenly electricity arcs along two wires attached to the darts, causing Arthur's body to spasm in pain.

The guard who fired the taser, pleased with himself, smiles and waves to the other guards headed toward him. He doesn't see Arthur quickly shake off the attack, wrap his hand around the wires, and pull the guard toward him. Before he knows it, the guard can only watch as Arthur's fist slams into his face.

The door now shut, and the other guards almost upon him, Arthur quickly changes his tactics. If escape isn't an option, then he needs to settle this conflict quickly. Arthur barrels through the guards, knocking them all aside with little effort, and swims straight for Orm. Arthur swims so fast that the King's personal guards aren't even able to react. Wrapping his hand around Orm's neck, Arthur rears his other fist back and calls out for all to hear, <Open the doors and release me! Now!>

Orm's eyes widen in shock. Before he can say anything, the guard to Arthur's right swims forward and swings his sword. Letting go of Orm, Arthur catches the guard's sword arm by the wrist with his left hand, then lifts the guard up with his right, throwing the guard into his partner on the other side.

When Arthur turns back toward Orm, the king now has a golden trident in his hands. A burst of energy springs forth from the tip, knocking Arthur back yet doing little more. <You surface dwelling scum!> the King seethes with anger.

<Orm stop! Please!> Queen Atlanna shouts to no avail. Standing beside her is a distressed looking Healer Ulyn.

With bloodlust in his eyes, Orm swims after Arthur himself, swinging his trident with all his strength. Arthur grabs a spear out of the hands of another attacking guard, punches the guard out of the way, and raises the spear just in time to block an attack from Orm. The King swings his trident in a rage, more brute strength than finesse. It's easy for Arthur to block his attacks, yet Orm's furious onslaught leaves him no time to go on the offensive.

<Prepare to die, you honorless freak!> Orm shouts, swinging his trident in a large arc. His rage almost blinds him to the intrusion of his mother, who swims in between Orm and Arthur. At the last second, Orm pulls up on his swing, stopping the trident just inches from Atlanna's face.

<Orm that is enough!> she shouts, holding her arms out in defense of Arthur.

<Guards remove her!> Orm shouts, his eyes wild with barely contained anger

<No! Stand down, all of you!> Atlanna's commanding tone leaves the guards confused, unsure whether to listen to the King or his mother. <There is something you all must know! Ulyn!>

.Healer Ulyn swims forward, sheepishly avoiding eye contact with the king. He tries to speak, but is unable to find his voice, and the king quickly loses his patience.

<What is this nonsense! Mother?>

<When this man told us his story,> Atlanna takes over for the silent Ulyn, <there was something familiar about it. A hope I had not dared nurture in years. So I asked Ulyn to scan Arthur's DNA.>

<Mother,> Orm whines, frustrated beyond belief at what is transpiring. <What in the seven seas does that have to do with anything?>

Atlanna swims forward, gently pushing Orm's trident aside with the back of her hand. She then reaches out and places her other hand on Orm's cheek. <Son, there is something your father and I never told you. You were too young to remember, and we kept it secret from the court, the scandal too great for your father to bear.>

<Scandal?> Orm asks, starting to shake with both rage and confusion, his eyes darting back and forth between his mother's eyes. <What in Hades are you talking about?>

<Orm,> Atlanna says quietly, sending her thoughts to only him and Arthur. <I had another son. With a man who was not your father.> Orm's eyes grow wide and his mouth drops open, but he projects no thoughts. Atlanna continues. <Ulyn confirmed it. Arthur...he is my son. Your brother.>

At the exact same moment, the spear slips out of Arthur's hand and the trident from Orm's. Their eyes meet across the distance, as if seeing each other for the first time. Atlanna quickly turns and looks at Arthur, his eyes joining with hers. A single thought escapes from Arthur, one he never dreamed he would say, <Mother?>

<My son!> Atlanna darts forward and throws her arms around Arthur, her tears drifting into the ocean. Arthur buries his head in her shoulder, finding tears of his own springing forth.

The guards all look about, confused by the sudden turn of events. The crowd remains silent as well. No one understands what is happening, only that the man the King was just intent on killing is now being cradled in the Queen's arms. Once the king manages to gather his thoughts, he looks up to the crowd and addresses them all.

<My people, join me in welcoming home...Prince Arthur of Atlantis!>

-The End-