That night, Kaldur feel asleep on an empty stomach. He could feel his wrists stinging as the rusty metal cuffs continuously brushed against his skin. Usually, he'd be asleep in own bed in his own room as he overlooked the city. Such royalty he was treated with. But since then, he had been greatly reduced. In this state, the plan to take down the Light wasn't going to work. He was foolish to ever transport from the Zeta-Tube in the first place.

All he had to do now was rest. Perhaps once he regained strength, he'd be able to break free from these chains. Yes. Once and for all. Unless news about Aqualad being an Atlantean prisoner would spread quickly. Perhaps reach the Light and pass it on to Black Manta? Would his father rescue him? He hoped so. Once he did, it would prove to Aquaman that Black Manta did know how to treat his kin. And that he was wrong for all these years.

That night, Kaldur received very little rest. He was barely able to close his eyes. His position wasn't a comfortable way to sleep. In fact, he felt weak. His forehead rested on his knee caps, tucked tightly toward his chest. He took the appearance of a saddened child. He hated it. As sleep began to drift him away from this horrible world, the doors opened. One eye peeked open and who he was his mother and father - false father - Calvin Durham. They hadn't seen his slightly cracked open eye, and so he shut it. Sleep was something he demanded.

"Kaldur'ahm, I know you're awake," the voice belonged to his mother. "Please. Look at me. We have many things to discuss."

"No, there is nothing to discuss! What I know is that you are a liar," he snarled, but didn't meet her gaze. "The same to you, Calvin. You yourself had known, and yet you kept such lies from me! Had I really seemed to be so untrustworthy of knowing my true bloodlines? What had I done to earn such disrespect?"

"Nothing, son." Calvin responded, surprisingly calm. Hearing his fake address him by that word infuriated Kaldur. He was not his son. Never was. And he never would. Judging by Calvin's appearance, he hadn't regretted those words. He meant it. That only made him angrier. "You did nothing wrong."

"Don't you ever call me your son," he said the words low. Kaldur never liked to yell. It made the situation more stressful. But he knew that he couldn't control himself any longer. Eventually, every word he'd speak would be angered. Bellowing. "I never was. And I never will be."

"No, you're wrong," Calvin paced forward and leaned down, attempting to extend his arm to touch him. Kaldur moved. He couldn't inch anywhere, nor could his arms aid him. Instead, one of his feet connected with his jaw and knocked him down. His mother gasped and immediately helped her husband up. Calvin's eyes was shut, a small cut formed on his lip. His thumb swiftly wiped it away as he once again tried to speak. Though Kaldur wouldn't let him.

"Next time it won't just be your lip that's bleeding!" he growled, eyes narrowed to slits. "I never want to speak to you again."

"Kaldur-" his mother tried to speak.

"GET OUT!" Kaldur never thought he'd ever screech that loud in his life. Both of his parents stared at each other with shocked expression. Tears welled up in his mother's eyes. But they slowly left. And the door locked.

For three days, no one had visited. Food was dropped off by guards, but that was it. He was sure everyone was talking about him. How he loved being so popular. Kaldur felt as if he was going insane. No one to trust. No one trusted him. He needed freedom. This was ridiculous. They couldn't keep him trapped here for the rest of his life. And if was evident they didn't want him dead. They continuously sent food and beverages. Though he never drank or ate them. He was showing his disdain and disrespect.

With a hoarse yell, he pulled and pulled, heels digging into the rough surface. He was still trapped. And no one cared. That is until he glimpsed at his vague tattoos shine the luminous light blue glow. It was giving him strength. With another heave forward, the cuffs connected to the stone wall was creaking. His eyes widened in relief, though he didn't stop. He pulled as much as he could until the cuffs gave way.

Free! I'm free!

Rushing to his feet, the Atlantean smashed his wrists into the wall, the cuffs crippling off of them. Now he was truly free. The only issue was now the alarm was sounding off. And the thick door was in his way. He'd just have to improvise. As the door opened, three guards flew into the door. Kicking one in the jaw and grasping onto the second one's gun, he shot at the third. The second was easily taken down by a quick turn hook kick.

Swimming through the narrow hallway, he evaded he shots oncoming guards shot and easily dodged them. He was easily progressing out the dungeon and almost to the stairway. Once there, he'd need to take a left turn and then out of the palace. From then on, he'd have to find a way out of Atlantis itself. And how would he do that? A whole kingdom against him?! It would be difficult. Maybe impossible. He'd given up his training at the Conservatory years ago. The whole city had been practicing all it's life. How could he escape?

As he made it toward the stairway, he barely missed a shot aimed at him. He had no weapons or the memories of how to use sorcery against the guards. He didn't stop moving forward, and barreled himself into the guard. Swerving to his left, he saw King Orin and Queen Mera rushing to him at the corner of his eye. He'd be in big trouble now. No way he could take them both on. Pausing, shoulders heaving constantly, Kaldur only stared back at the ones he once felt a strong loyalty toward. Now all he wanted was to be away from them.

"Let me go," it was a quiet demand, though after all these days, Kaldur'ahm had little strength. "It will be much easier for you."

"It won't be that easy, Kaldur'ahm," Mera spoke this time, breaking away from the King. "You were raised as one of us, and leaving us instantly after discovering the truth just to be with your father means you will give away all secrets to him."

"So what was so special about me? If you have always known my true bloodlines, why did you allow me to be born as an Atlantean?" he was so angry. Never had Kaldur'ahm yelled like this before, but here he was. The only thing about this question was that it wasn't one to be answered. He didn't want it. He just wanted to run away and never come back.

And before another gasp of breath was made, a pillar smashed into the palace and the roof collapsed.