Aquaman – Beginning of Infinity
By DeChunk
Based on characters created by DC Comics
Aeneas Carthage sat on his golden throne, spinning the trident he had "rightfully" won in his left hand and holding his head in the other. The Icon of Neptune. King of Atlantis. With the greatest responsibility came the greatest sacrifice. The past two weeks had been one of the most awful and unrewarding experiences of his life.
His father, Tyre, had been ill with a strange virus for some long months before. He was bedridden, and his old age was not helping his prognosis.
"Send for our sons," The King whispered to his doting wife. Within minutes, the guards had retrieved Aeneas and Odysseus from the courtyard, and even sooner, they were beside their great father.
"Yes, father," Aeneas said holding his father's hand. "What did you want to say to us?"
"I feel the hand of death upon me." His voice was like a soft, but freezing wind. Quiet, yet stinging. "I am not long for this world."
"Do not say such things, father," Odysseus replied. "The doctors have been saying good things about your prognosis. You're going to be fine."
"Eh," The King grunted with a wave of his hand. "Doctors don't know anything." The doctor in the room with the four of them gave a grunt of his own and left. "I wanted to tell you something of great importance." The entire family hung on the words he was about to say. "The Crown of Atlantis… needs to be earned… through strength, humility, and… the love of the people…"
Aeneas leaned in closer. "What does that mean?"
And with that, The King's last breath escaped his lips, and the entire city seemed to have a collective moment of silence.
The King was buried in the side of a mountain close to where Atlantis had fallen. The denizens of the sunken city crowded around for the proceedings. Some cried. Others could only fondly remember the past, but one thing was constant between all of them: King Tyre was missed.
"Who is the king?" a voice shouted from the crowd.
It was a question that once spoken was on everyone's mind. Which of the Brothers Carthage would wear the crown? How would he be chosen? Would one of them die?
"Yea, who is the king now?" another voice screeched.
"Silence!" Odysseus shouted into the crowd. "My father, your king, has passed on, and all you want to talk about is who's next? Show some respect for your fallen leader." Odysseus stormed out of the ceremony, yelling obscenities at his disrespectful country mates.
Aeneas stood with his mother and the royal guard staring at his father's grave. They remained as motionless as the sea would let them until only the moon illuminated the ground below.