CH. 10

The Lord of Oceans

The palace beneath the sea, in the center of a sprawling city was Atlantis. Home to over three billion people, a thousand or more skyscrapers that didn't reach the surface, located over three feet below sea level that palace was a beacon of the entire ocean. From above an airplane can spot at the tip of its green emerald from the cockpit. The palace was over centuries old, which dated back to the times of ancient Greece. Carved on the stone marble were the symbols of horses of the first sons of Poseidon lord of oceans.

The palace was unlike the modern buildings that surrounded it. It was large and lavish not going over three floors. There was garden maze in the back and in the center was a fountain stature of a beautiful woman and her two sons, the younger one a babe between her arms and the other tugging at her dress. The outside was daily populated by visiting crowds of tourists that could not get past the steel gates while officials escorted by their entourages walked the palace grounds.

Many of them were of the Atlantean military, unlike the surface world an Atlantean soldier was not only stronger and faster but they were trained to done their armor which weighted more than thirty kilograms, which not only protected against tradition gunfire but sported a built in breathing device for survival if they fought on the surface which was now quite frequent.

Three of them; all tall and broad and dark eyes with swords in their hands surrounded a younger man on all sides like a triangle. But the young man stood tall. He had blond buzzed hair and a deep scar from his chin to his forehead and deep piercing blue sea eyes. He had wide muscular shoulders and a strong-arm tight gripped hand and the hilt of his sword. The man though young was harden with an old resolve that few men could attained.

The first strike came in front of him. Then the second quickly followed while the third and the last waited for an opening created by its two brothers. The first strike was easy parried; as the second flew to take its place the young man blocked it with his swords and with powerful grace kicked off the second soldier's of his foot. He fell foreword into the young man's power knee that knocked the air out of him. Disabled the third launched his attack, but saw it fall was the blade went into for a thrust missed and the young man caught the third's hands between his armpit. He locked it instantly and heard the sword fall to the ground then brought his blade the soldier throat.

But he didn't cut. The soldier was breathing heavily, and heart jumping in surprise.

"Too slow Kargan," he said. "It you wish to beat me, then speed is what you need." He threw Kargan on his back without remorse.

"All of you are dismissed. Training is over for today and I hope when the time comes you won't be as weak as today." They all quickly formed a line and bowed in unison.

"Yes, lord author." Said the soldiers.

After the three solders had left Orion was alone getting a small drink of water by the fountain, and whipping away the sweat of the workout. It was a large and humid room and as light as the sun the room was clear and focus like it's intent. To hone the bodies and strengthen the body, there were lifting weights to the far end of the sparring mat where he stood earlier. To the side was an entrance to the swimming pool and showers lockers.

"You're sloopy," the voice came from behind Arthur who didn't bother to look back. He was about the same build as Arthur but a little slimmer and younger. He had dark hair that was short, and a feathery voice that lifted others. "If you fight like that the Amazons' victory will be assured in a manner of seconds."

"You're back?" Author said. "Status report?" he said as ignored him.

"Alright business then," the young man said. Arthur was walking ahead of them as he spoke. "America has decided to stay put since their last aggression, but my spies say their hero Cyborg is planning something."

"Any idea?" he said as the approached the elevator door.

"None but my spies confirm there been activity in Metropolis. Large shipments of military equipment have been donated by the US government to Star labs the headquarters of Cyborg, other than that we have no further details." The elevator door shuts and the sound tightens to their voices.

"It matters not," said Arthur, "America does not concern me, nor does its' heroes. Our main targets are the Amazons. Each day they live is an insult to our kind." On the bottom floor exceeding more than a hundred feet the elevator doors opened and Arthur took the first steps out. He still wore his white training vest and skintight exercise pants. The young man behind him felt unsure of his king's statements. So far there were no advancement in their cause.

"That may be so, my lord. But I still feel the Americans to be trouble, if not the Americans then the rest of the world." He followed Arthur down a dimly lit hallway. There were few people far and in between mainly soldiers dressed in full body dark green armor. The Armor resembled a mix of a fish like scale design and with beady red eyes. As Arthur and the young man passed the soldiers bowed their heads, then walked on their way.

"The rest of the world will soon sink beneath the waves, rest assured Gareth that our weapon will see to that." Arthur stopped in front of a steel door that had the letters warning in bold red against the cold steel.

"Hero or not, nothing stands in our way. Atlantis will soon realize its truth potential. Our demonstration against the NATO forces has put fear into the surface nations." Gareth was unsure of the direction his mentor and king were taking. Ever since he was young he had nothing but admiration for Arthur. From saving villages to a simple game of chess Arthur would best him every time with certainty sharper than blades. But there was doubt now. Too many enemies, and too much death had wavered his spirit. He began the fear unknown for his determined king. "They will think twice before they interfere with our war."

"But what of the rebels?" Garthe asked. "Their tactics have weakened our push."

"Ants, their efforts are in vain. Once the weapon goes in range it's over for them and the Amazons. But to ease your concern I've issued Orm to deal with them personally."

It was a singular chamber, with a railway that led to the center of what appears to be the shape of a containment cell. There were wires tapped all towards the cell, which stood about eight feet in height, and ten in diameter. Vibrations could be felt throughout the entire room, and the heavy heat of nuclear energy sipping through the air. The heavy door spelled in red danger and caution blazed across. The room had built in cooling systems, once every ten or so minutes a gust of cold will blow into the room from the ceiling vents.

There was an old man with a trimmed pointy grey beard and red goggles, which he immediately took off in the presence of Arthur.

"Your highness," he bowed. Arthur said nothing for a moment but stared coldly in front of him at the metal shell.

"When will the weapon be ready to use again Clonius?"

"Yes lord Arthur," he said with a heavy heart.

"There is doubt in your voice?"

"Concern my lord," he said as he looked to the light coming from inside the shell. "The last test went beyond expectations, and it was only half powered. I fear such power should only be used as a last resort."

The words chilled Garthe, just a few steps away from him was the greatest death machine ever created, and he saw that his king was staring straight into its' eyes.

"Fine, I wish to grind the Amazon's bones beneath my feet myself. Continue with your research Clonius. Keep the weapon ready on my command but if the surface dwellers make any sudden moves you have my permission to head into phase six. I will deal with the other surface dwellers once the Amazons are defeated, until then no one interferes."

"As you command," Clonius bowed as Arthur walked past Garthe who still looked on at the metal shell containing the source of the weapon. It glowed bright light blue like the furious lightning of Zeus, contained in a tiny fabric of space just waiting to be let loose.

They were back again in the elevator, heading now to the upper levels of the battle sub, Garthe's mind kept at the bomb beneath their feet.

"What's the matter Garthe?" Arthur asked.

"Nothing, my lord."

"You're a bad liar," Arthur said softly. "It's the weapon I assume?"

"Yes my lord," Garthe repeated quickly. "Such power could not only end our enemies but the world." The elevator finally opens and Arthur stepped out onto the white marble lobby. Soldiers saluted as he stepped foreword, then carried on with their busy work. The lobby before the command room was reserved for some of Arthur's most trusted individuals. To his side, sported a huge glass wall that stayed open until the sub went into patrol. They were resupplying in Atlantis for just a few days but Arthur had refused to leave the ship until the war was won. As the sub was readying to leave the docks he looked on in precious moments. The city was lit up so bright that one could see a star has fallen on the ocean floor. He could hear the people cheer on the warriors and praises towards him their king through the waves of the ocean.

"The strength of our people Garthe is the greatest weapon in the world. Not that thing you saw down below." He grabbed hold of Garthe by the shoulder, and said with a strong voice. "It is with that strength that we will bury the Amazons in. I will see to it personally that weapons serve no one but their masters. So throw away your fear, for we march to war and victory." Arthur let him go and his back fell against the wall. He strode foreword into the command center.