Chapter 13

[Space]

The Surfer reappeared after only three heartbeats. His mind collected itself. His eyes adjusted to their surroundings. He soared on his board once more. He recognized the stars around himself.

The Prime Star…Nova Tilado

He looked to his right and down. There his eyes alighted on Zenn-la rotating on its axis. It passed along its orbit around Nova Tilado.

She really did it! I'm home! I'm home! Thank you, Whoever you Are! He turned his board toward the planet. He streaked down through the atmosphere and toward his goal.

As if his heart would not know the way? No doubt it would…

[Planet's surface]

Night's darkness hung over the capital city of Reo-la in the planet's center. The population moved around the metropolis in their hover cars, zooming from place to place. The buildings' lights revealed activity both within and in close proximity. An occasional shuttle craft took off out of the space port on the city's eastern edge.

In the midst of this activity, a striking slender brunette stood at her terrace, gazing into the night sky and studying the stars. For the past decade, Shalla Bal had kept this ritual. She watched the skies, hoping for her beloved's return…in spite of the distance between them and the naysayers surrounding her. In her heart, she knew he would return to her.

On this night, she savored a glass of Erodian wine and dabbed the moisture from her cheeks with a kerchief. "Tonight, Norrin, makes seven years since you saved us from Galactus. I'm not giving up. I love you."

A shooting star streaked far above—only to veer off strangely.

What? Her eyes went wide, thinking the worst. If that's a ship, it'll take out half the city! As the object came closer, she saw it was no threat at all—but rather, a welcome sight.

"Shalla!" the Surfer called as he alighted next to her.

"Norrin? Deities be praised! I thought you were imprisoned on Earth!" she exclaimed in a mix of relief and shock.

"It's me. I've returned, my Love, thanks to my friends," he explained as they embraced and kissed each other.

"I never gave up," she declared through teary eyes. "Not ever!"

"Nor did I. I promise we'll never be apart again," he vowed before waving to the sky. "Come. We have a lot of catching up to do."

She nodded, feeling overjoyed at the moment. "We have all of the time in the world now, my Love! Come!" She kissed him again and led him toward the inner door.

Love itself would not be denied….

[Llyra's Complex]

[A/N: This takes place during Sub Mariner 37. And while I'm undoing Marvel's tragedies, this one has to be included as well.]

Namor stumbled along the causeway from the water toward the central building. Leeches had fallen from the skies and syphoned his strength. He tried to shrug them off. He had fallen to the platform. Desperation clawed at him over his captive beloved inside.

In a heartbeat, however, everything had ceased. The leeches stopped falling. Their effect dissipated. His heart beat faster. Purpose pulled him to his feet.

She needed him.

He smashed through the remaining door and rushed toward Llyra's central command chamber.

Faster, Prince Namor. Time is of the essence! The goddess urged him onward.

He shook his head. He made it into the room. There he found his adversary stunned to the left. Dorma's tank had shattered. Its precious water spilled on the floor.

And Dorma lay gasping on the floor.

"DORMA!" He hurried to her side. He kneeled beside her.

As he did, the helmet appeared in his hands.

"Namor, my Beloved…." Dorma gasped. She struggled to draw enough oxygen into her throat to speak.

"Lay still. We will deal with this." He slid the helmet over her head. Somehow, none of the water spilled out of that container. "Breathe! Please breathe!"

Dorma felt the precious air bubbles allowing her to breathe once more. "My…my lord? Namor?"

"Stay still." He narrowed his eyes at the villainess. Before Llyra could escape, he grabbed onto her. "You have much to answer for!" He grabbed a length of chain off of the floor. Then he tied her hands behind her back.

"Do what you will with me. I will never stop!" Llyra vowed. "If not for her, I'd have killed you!"

"Say what you will. You will pay." He shoved his adversary toward the door. "Lady Dorma?"

"I'm fine thanks to you, my Prince." Dorma stood up. "I am glad you are all right."

"As I am for your health, my Queen." He kissed Dorma's cheek. "Now come."

And with that, Debts were paid….