Atlantis had been a city of warriors. A people who had been taught since the moment their bodies could handle it without damaging their growth or health how to fight.
As a race of nothing but warriors they were a rather prideful lot.
The Atlantian people had been taught pride and loyalty and devotion long before they had understood the words they were told. They were taught the value of choosing who to be loyal to, of never ever bowing your head to anyone unless they had earned it.
Even the Royal Family of Atlantis had to earn the loyalty and devotion of their warriors and guardians. Each warrior in the service of the Family had chosen to be there, and had been accepted by the Royal Family.
Loyalty and Devotion meant different things to someone from Atlantis.
An Atlantian could be loyal to family, and friends, to a cause or a promise. Loyalty would mean walking with someone into hell, would mean trusting someone at their back, but never going unarmed in their presence just in case it was needed. Loyalty meant allowing that person to guide the Atlantian Warrior's actions, like a General telling them where to go and what to do. Loyalty meant many things, but in never meant bowing to that person.
Devotion on the other hand meant the Atlantian trusted the person they gave it to so completely they would follow that person no matter where they led. Trusted them enough to be vulnerable in their presence, trusted them enough to bow their head, expose their neck, allow them close without protest, trusted them enough to lower themselves into a position of vulnerability to leave behind their weapons if they were asked, to kneel before the person. It meant the Atlantian would not move even when that person approached them with a weapon, that they would trust that person so completely and defend them to the death.
Atlantian Warriors were powerful, prideful but loyal people. It was difficult to earn their loyalty and near impossible to earn their devotion, but once it was done the Warrior was loyal until death took them or something was done that the Warrior saw as an unforgivable act of betrayal.
Eras passed before the Skull became an Arcobaleno and found people he considered worthy of his loyalty.
It was nice to be among people who could be considered warriors of their own again.
