Chapter 3: A King's Kid
Thar's POV
I paced nervously as my wife screamed in agony. I froze as everything fell silent. I nearly burst through the doors as a baby started crying. Throwing the doors open, I stepped inside. I reached for Berra's hand as she lay panting. A sudden scream broke my focus.
"His eyes! His eyes!" The nurse screamed as I took a look at my newborn son and gasped.
Purple… Impossible. This cannot be true. My only child… a monster.
I screamed in rage grabbing the crying child out of the nurse's arms. I struck Berra's cheek roughly before dropping the bastard into her arms.
"Witch!"
"No! Thar! I did nothing!" she cried as I fumed.
"You know of the curse! The one with purple eyes will bring nothing but death and destruction. He will release the evil one! He must perish now!" I screamed before taking the bastard from her arms.
Dragging her off of the bed, I pushed the child into her arms.
"This is your doing! Correct the wrong you have committed and reclaim the life you have conceived!" I ordered before storming out.
********Break********
Berra's POV
Quickly fleeing the castle, I carried the child away from civilization and into the depths of the sea. I looked into his evil eyes before lowering him onto a reef. Purple. The Idylist's mark of power.
"You are no longer any of my concern. May the sea claim your life soon. You shall die so that we may live… Garth."
********Five Years Later********
Arthur's POV
"Be careful, your majesty. I sense danger near the reef." Topo stated as I completely ignored him and studied the reef.
"I thought I saw something move." I murmured as I dismounted my seahorse and moved closer to the reef.
"Your Highness, we should go." one of my guards stated nervously.
Pushing back some seaweed, I came face-to-face with an unclothed child. He gasped before he screamed and started to swim away from me.
"Stop. I won't hurt you." I said as I grabbed his foot and tried dragging him back towards me as he screamed.
He cried and kicked as I held tightly to his struggling form. The child couldn't be any older than four... perhaps five?
"Your Highness! Let it go! It will kill us all!" my guards screamed.
"It is only a child." I responded as the child began to tire and started to calm down.
"Your Highness! The eyes! The eyes! You know of the prophecy! He'll kill us all!" Topo screamed as he used his tentacles to protect himself.
"Enough of this! A mere child could not possible cause any harm." I responded as they fell silent.
Turning, the boy around, my eyes widened when I saw his violet eyes. His body trembled in fear as I held him close. I could see every rib and bone on the starving boy… The sea has not been kind to the child.
"You have nothing to fear, little one. You are under the protection of the king."
"Your highness, we must return to Atlantis. Tomorrow, we have a long journey to Shayeris." One of my guards stated as I nodded.
"Indeed."
"Sire, you're not taking the child, are you? If the child enters-" Topo began.
"Topo, that is enough. Until, I find who the boy belongs to, he shall remain with me." I replied before mounting my seahorse with the squirming child still in my grasp.
********Break********
Mera's POV
"Darling! You've returned!" I exclaimed as Arthur entered carrying a bundle.
"Yes, my love… I found someone when I journeyed to Tritonis today."
"Who?" I asked hesitantly.
"A child." He replied, holding out the bundle as I moved closer.
Slowly, pulling the pieces of fabric back, I found a sleeping child with thick, curly dark hair. I frowned as I noticed the poor condition the boy was in. Poor child.
"Where did you find him?" I asked, stroking his thick hair.
"The child was abandoned on Mercy Reef… the very same reef I was left to die on." He replied solemnly.
"Do you think he is an orphan?" I asked as Arthur shook his head.
"Mera, the boy's eyes are purple." He stated quietly as I quickly withdrew my hand.
"How could you? You know of the prophecy-"
"Damn the prophecy! You know the prophecies are part of the reason that I ended up on that same damned reef! My hair color is the reason I was cast out and left to die! Yet, my prophecy was wrong about me! Why should the boy be any different? Just because of the color of his eyes does not mean that he should perish!" he shouted as the boy woke and immediately started crying.
"He is afraid?" I questioned as Arthur nodded.
"He fears all."
"The sea is a dangerous place for one so small." I stated quietly as Arthur tried to hush the screaming boy.
Perhaps the prophecy is wrong.
********Break********
Arthur's POV
The next morning, the boy was fitted and received the most expensive uniform. A tutor had been hired for the child. The child received the finest of everything that Atlantis had to offer.
Yet, the child would let no one near. The boy spent the entire day cowering under the bed he'd received. Peering under the bed, I could see the boy trembling under the bed as he looked out at me.
"Come here, little one. I shall not hurt you." I stated softly as he slowly crawled towards me.
Taking a seat on the bed, I held him in my lap as a tiny hand reached up to pull at a strand of my hair.
"Do you like my hair, is that it?" I asked as he peered up at me curiously. "You have no idea what I'm saying, do you?"
Innocent eyes only stared at me as I sighed.
"You know, you're not the only one who was abandoned… I was left on that very same reef as a baby. All because of the color of my hair… Atlanteans are very strange people, little one. They cannot accept what is different. But, I can. I was born different and yet I am the king." I stated as little hands were placed on either side of my face.
"You don't seem very dangerous to me, little one… If only I knew your name. If only I knew where you came from. If only…" I began before taking the little hands into my own and squeezing them softly.
"Yet, I suppose it matters not. Your heritage is of no importance to me. You shall stay here. You will learn to speak, little one. I shall give you the best care and perhaps one day, we'll find out who you are."
********Three Years Later********
Garth's POV
"Arthur! Arthur!" I yelled as I swam towards him.
He smiled as he held out his arms to me. I swam into his embrace and smiled as he hugged me tightly.
"Hello, little one."
"I missed you!" I shouted.
"I missed you as well. Have you been doing well with your lessons?" He asked as I nodded proudly. "Good boy."
"Your highness." Topo greeted as he swam in.
Arthur set me down as I pressed myself against his leg and peered out at the octopus. I still don't like fish.
"What is it?"
"King Thar has requested your presence in Shayeris tomorrow." Topo stated as Arthur groaned.
"I just returned home."
"He said it was urgent, Sire."
"Very well. I shall speak to my queen and prepare for the journey."
"Arthur! I want to go!" I shouted excitedly as he looked down at me.
"I think it'd be better if you remained here." He softly responded as I shook my head.
"Please!" I begged as he sighed.
"I suppose a quick trip wouldn't hurt."
********Break********
"Wait for me here, little one. I shall be back soon." Arthur instructed as I agreed to stay with the seahorses.
About ten minutes later, I had a bad feeling that someone was watching me. I slowly turned to find a blonde haired man looking at me strangely. I backed against one of the seahorses as he came closer.
"The prince has returned, just as I foresaw the vision eight years ago." The man murmured as I quickly swam past him.
"Arthur! Arthur!" I screamed, swimming into the palace.
I didn't stop until I was safe in his arms. He looked at me in shock as did the other people in the room. I pointed at the door as he raised an eyebrow.
"Um Arthur, care to explain?" a man with a crown asked.
"Well, I found him on a reef and I took him in three years ago... I believe he was abandoned." Arthur stated as the man nodded.
"Such a pity. It would have been more merciful to have just killed the child then leave it to the sea." The crowned man stated.
"You… You said you found him on a reef. Wh-which reef?" A woman with a crown asked uneasily.
"Mercy Reef."
"No!" the woman screamed as I peeked out at them.
Everyone in room looked at me in horror as I clung tighter to Arthur.
Arthur's POV
"It must be executed now!" one of them screamed.
"The curse has been brought upon us!" Another shouted.
"His eyes! His eyes!"
"Enough!" I shouted, bringing my trident down as the boy clung tighter to me.
"I told you to kill him!" Thar shouted at Berra, who cowered.
"I demand to know what has happened!" I yelled as they turned to look at me.
"His name is Garth… He was our child and our curse. You know that a boy with purple eyes will free the evil one, Slizzath. That is why he must perish." Thar stated as I looked down at the boy with fear in his eyes.
"No. He will not perish. The child belongs to me now." I declared as they all looked at me with betrayal in their eyes.
"You cannot possibly-"
"Thar, you are only the king of Shayeris. I rule all of Atlantis, which includes Shayeris. You will do well to remember that." I threatened as they bowed.
"Yes, sire." He hissed.
Turning swiftly, I carried Garth out of the palace and towards the stables.
Thar's POV
I watched them leave with my only son.
"Berra, you lied to me."
"I'm, I'm sorry, Thar. I thought he would-"
"You thought wrong. If the prophecy comes true, you will be responsible for the destruction of Atlantis."
"Darling, what must I do?" she asked as I glared at her.
"He must not be allowed to live… Hire one of the mercenaries."
********Break********
Garth's POV
"Arthur, what will happen to me?" I asked.
"Nothing. You are the only heir to Shayeris. You have royal blood. Soon, everyone will know who you are." he stated.
"Do I have to live there now?" I asked as he shook his head.
"Only if you wish, however you may stay here."
"I want to stay with you." I replied as he nodded.
"Very well. It's late. You may retire for the evening."
Exiting the throne room, I passed Mera on the way.
"I have a name now." I softly stated as she nodded.
"So I've heard… Congratulations, Prince."
"It's just Garth. Just Garth." I replied as she nodded.
"Goodnight." She stated before entering the throne room.
I then headed towards my chambers and dropped down onto the bed. I sighed and closed my eyes as a million different thoughts flooded my mind.
I'm a prince. I have a name. I'm the future king of Shayeris. I'm-
My thoughts stopped as a hand was suddenly clamped over my mouth. My eyes widened in alarm as an unknown figure smiled down at me.
"I'd keep quiet if I were you, boy. Things could get rather messy." The merman hissed as I caught a glimpse of his blood red tail.
He then removed his hand and before I could even scream, a wad of seaweed was shoved into my mouth and tied painfully tight around my head. I whimpered as my hands were bound. I struggled as he drew a knife. No! I kicked out and struck the coral table beside the bed and it shattered over the floor.
"Damn brat!" he hissed, grabbing my throat.
Arthur! Help me!
Arthur's POV
Merra and I looked up as a crash came from up above… That was Garth's room.
Rising from my throne, I hurried towards his room and knocked on the door.
"Garth, are you all right?" I called only to receive no answer.
"You have exactly two seconds to open this door!" I yelled.
Seconds passed before I practically knocked the damn thing down. Throwing the door open, I froze when I saw Garth bound and gagged pressed against a merman with a knife at his throat. Tears fell from his eyes. Quickly recovering, I pointed my trident at them.
"Release the boy! Now!"
"I decline your request, Sire. However, I suggest you drop your trident, act like nothing happened, walk away and tell your guards to desist." he smugly replied.
"What do you want?" I hissed, gesturing for my guards to put their weapons down.
"That's for you to decide. I work for the highest price, Sire."
"Release the boy and you shall receive your just reward."
"Once again, I decline your request." He sneered before pushing the blade deeper into the boy's throat.
"Stop!" I shouted, dropping the trident.
"Excellent decision." He mocked before shoving Garth towards the balcony.
"I'll give you whatever you desire if you release him!" I shouted.
He opened his mouth to reply, but he was quickly cut off as a jet of water separated him from Garth. I looked up to see Mera glaring down at the assassin as she continued to drive wave after wave into him as I hurried over to Garth and untied him. He wrapped his arms around my neck as he sobbed.
"Hush now, little one. You're safe. No one shall hurt you again." I whispered.
********Break********
"Sire, we posted our best guards round the prince's room as you instructed. We have also interrogated the prisoner and he has refused to talk." The captain of my guards stated as I nodded.
"No matter. I think I have a good idea who employed them… See if you can get anything else out of him. You are dismissed." I replied as he bowed before leaving the room.
I then turned to Topo.
"Topo, I want the assassin executed tomorrow… and I want it done in public. Everyone is to attend." I ordered as he nodded and left to prepare.
********Break********
Garth's POV
I sat beside Arthur and Mera as I craned my neck to look into the arena. The merman who tried to kill me last night was chained down. The stands in the arena were filled with all of the citizens of Atlantis and the sea creatures. The kings and queens of Tritonis,Thierna Na Oge, Shayeris, Xebel, and Sub Diego were seated across from us.
Arthur suddenly stood and beckoned me to also stand. I twisted my hands uneasily as all eyes were on us. I felt myself inching closer and closer to him as he placed his hand on my shoulder.
"Last night, an assassin had been hired to murder the prince of Shayeris. An act of treason was committed against the crown and such treason shall not be tolerated. The punishment for going against the crown is death." He proclaimed as several sharks began circling the assassin.
His trident was slammed on the ground as the sharks all at once began tearing hunks of flesh and scales off of the merman. His ear shattering screams of pain will be forever burned into my memory. I felt sick to my stomach as I watched the merman being eaten alive. I nearly vomited as a cloud of blood surfaced.
"Any act of violence against the prince will be considered an act of violence against me. Not only is the prince the heir to Shayeris, he is also the heir to all of Atlantis. He is to be my successor." Arthur stated as my mouth nearly fell open.
If I'm the heir to all of Atlantis… That means I'm his adopted son.
********Break********
I threw the shell as far as I could. Tusky quickly caught it and returned it as I patted my pet walrus.
"Good boy, Tusky. Good boy."
Soon we were playing hide and go seek. Swimming away from him, I discovered an underground cavern. Making sure no one was looking, I swam into the cavern. I gazed around at the ancient writings and symbols littering the cave walls and gasped as I looked at what was in the center of the room. A hideous statue.
The monstrosity had the face of the man and the body of a crustacean. Crab claws and spikes protruded everywhere. A trident was held in the creature's claw. Small sea creatures and seaweed was carved onto its body.
Amazed by the statue, I moved closer and touched the trident.
Immediately, I was thrown against a wall as a bright red light flooded the entire tomb. I gasped as the statue came to life. I barely breathed as the hideous creature smiled down darkly at me.
Arthur's POV
My mouth nearly fell open as a bright red light flooded one part of the ocean. No. That is the coordinates of the tomb of the evil one. No… Garth.
Thar's POV
I watched in horror as a bright red light flooded a certain spot. No. Slizzath.
Garth's POV
"Nephew, welcome." The beast stated.
"W-what?" I whispered.
"Come now. We're family, my child. What is your name?"
"Garth." I meekly replied.
"You look like your father." It stated before lifting me by one of its claws. "You even inherited his abilities… Abilities that I require."
I was suddenly dropped as a trident pierced his claw. I could see Thar standing there with his eyes narrowed.
"Slizzath."
"Hello brother." the creature stated. "Allow me to show you how much I've enjoyed being imprisoned for the past eight years!" he shouted as his clawed hand impaled Thar's chest.
The creature took pleasure as it watched the light leave its brother's eyes. Petrified, I couldn't move. The creature was suddenly forced back as a tidal wave forced it against the wall. Arthur soon appeared along with an army.
Crawling over to the dying king, he looked into my eyes and held out his hand to me. Not knowing what else to do, I took his hand and gasped as black energy began flowing into my veins… Magic.
"S-stop h-him, my s-son." he whispered with his dying breath.
The magic stopped flowing as soon as he stopped breathing. I swallowed before turning to find Arthur's army slaughtered on the floor. Arthur was currently trying to contain the monstrosity.
I screamed as Arthur suddenly dropped to the floor with a gaping hole in his chest.
Arthur's POV
Trying to stay conscious, I looked at Garth as he screamed. Ancient markings soon covered his body as his purple eyes actually glowed… A sorcerer? Dark energy flowed from his fingertips as the small child forced Slizzath back.
"Stay. Away. From. My. Father." Garth hissed as his magic continued to force the deadly creature back.
Slizzath was screaming in pain as his shell started to burn away. Soon, nothing remained but charred bits and a red trident.
********Break********
Days later, I awoke in the hospital wing of Poseidonis. Mera and Garth were beside me as I looked down at my bandaged chest.
"Darling, you are alright." Mera whispered as she kissed my cheek.
"Does it hurt?" Garth asked meekly, eyeing my chest.
"I've had worse, little one." I replied, ruffling his curly dark hair.
"My lady-" Topo began before breaking off as he noticed that I as awake.
"What is it?" Mera sharply asked.
"Queen Berra is here to see the prince." He stated uneasily.
Mera and I swapped glances before looking down at the boy.
I climbed out of the bed as Mera tried pushing me back down.
"The doctors said-"
"Not now, dearest." I replied, heading to the throne room with Garth trailing behind me.
I settled into my seat with Garth beside me. Soon Berra entered with a few of her own guards. She bowed as I inclined my head.
"My consolations for your loss." I stated as she nodded.
"Thank you… As you know, Thar is dead and he only sired one child. Shayeris is without a king… The council and I wish for the prince to return home." she stated, eyeing Garth.
"I am home." he replied before turning to me. "I can stay here, right?" he whispered as I nodded.
"I decline your offer." Garth stated as she bowed.
"Very well… Should you change your mind, you know where to find us." She stated before turning to leave.
"Arthur… I want to stay with you." He said as he climbed onto my lap.
"And so you shall, little one." I replied, stroking his curly hair.
"I love you… Father." He stated as he lightly hugged my waist.
"And I love you as well, my son."
