The Atlantean Petrification

by ButterflyMiko

In Ancient Times, everyone turned to stone…due to this, the city of Atlantis with superior science and technology rose to power…but now it sleeps in the bottom of the sea. But it has been found by corrupt mercenaries who seek to use the source of Petrification for evil… SPOILERS READ THE MANGA

11. Petrified

The world was totally dark and quiet.

Senku waited quietly, counting.

1209, 1210…she's waiting for me…on the other side of our promise…

After 39805 seconds, the stone crumbled, and the sun shone over the island of Atlantis. The people blinked and raised their hands to the sky.

Kia stood in the middle of the city, holding the Medusa and looking at it quizzically. "I didn't ask for it, but it granted my wish. Like the Kethak when it ran for you. Fascinating…"

Senku peered down into the waves. "The volcano swallowed them up…"

Kia's gaze hardened. "Just what they deserved."

"No." Senku grabbed her hands. "If you want to be Queen and lead Atlantis back into the world, you must not repeat the past mistakes of war. You have a great power that can awaken great positive change; if you use it correctly. That's something to get excited about!"

Kia looked down, ashamed and overwhelmed. "I…can't."

To Senku's surprise she set the Medusa in his hands. 'Atlantis needs a leader that won't lead her to destruction. The Medusa listens to you. You can make the Kethak work when no one could. And I…I only seek revenge on our enemies. On those who would take my family from me. I fear I will destroy the world once more, like in the great Petrification."

Senku turned over the Medusa in his hands. "The…stone swallows…"

"Swallows?" Kia perked up. "There were stone swallows before the Great Petrification. Mother told me. They were the first test of mankind. Our ancestors found the Medusa to be the cause, and befriended it. It's the reason we were able to awaken after the Great Petrification."

"It's…happening again." Senku said wildly, looking at the Medusa. "They are coming back. We have to…have to…"

The two looked up in the sky.

Ginro and Kinro froze at their posts.

The priestess Ruri shielded her eyes.

The warrior Kohaku climbed high and gazed into the sky.

The green light pierced Atlantis, and covered the world with its brilliance…and…

Alls was quiet.

This is the way the world ends.

Not with a bang.

With a whisper…

[12,800,000 meters, one second]